If you've started requesting quotes for a solar system in Phuket, you've probably noticed the prices — and the promises — vary a lot between companies. Some quotes look suspiciously cheap. Some salespeople promise payback periods that sound too good to be true. With a 25+ year investment sitting on your roof, choosing the right installer matters as much as choosing the right equipment. Here's what to ask before you sign anything.
Why This Matters More in Phuket
Solar panels on the coast face salt air, heavy monsoon rain, and strong seasonal winds — conditions that are harder on equipment and mounting hardware than an inland installation. A warranty is only worth something if the company that issued it is still around, and still doing business in Phuket, when you need to claim it 10 or 15 years from now. That's why track record and local presence matter as much as the headline price on a quote.
8 Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Quote
- How long has your company been installing solar in Phuket, and can I see examples of completed projects nearby?
- What exact brand and model of panel and inverter are you quoting — not just "Tier 1 panel," but the specific model number?
- What independent international certifications do the panels carry (e.g. IEC 61215, IEC 61730, ISO)?
- What is the product warranty and the performance warranty — for the panels and separately for the inverter?
- What is your workmanship (labour) warranty, separate from the manufacturer's equipment warranty?
- Do you handle the paperwork and application for grid connection approval with PEA, or is that my responsibility?
- What is the deposit amount, and what are the payment milestones tied to?
- What after-sales support do you offer — is there a monitoring app, and who do I call if the system underperforms?
Red Flags to Watch For
- A quote that only says "Tier 1 panel" with no brand or model name — this tells you almost nothing about actual quality.
- Pressure to sign the same day with a discount that expires "today only."
- Savings or payback figures quoted without real design work behind them — a credible quote is based on a system design simulation (e.g. HelioScope) and an ROI calculation built from your actual electricity bill.
- No written contract, or a contract that doesn't specify equipment model, warranty terms, and completion timeline.
We've completed hundreds of residential and commercial installations across Phuket, and we're happy to answer every question on this list during a free, no-obligation site survey — including showing you real projects near your area. Book a free survey to get a detailed, itemised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get before choosing an installer?
Three quotes is a reasonable starting point — enough to compare equipment, warranty terms, and pricing without dragging the process out for weeks. Make sure each quote specifies the exact panel and inverter model so you're comparing like for like, not just comparing total price.
Is the cheapest quote always the wrong choice?
Not necessarily, but a quote that is significantly cheaper than the others usually means a difference somewhere — a lower-tier panel, a shorter warranty, no PEA paperwork included, or a smaller inverter than the system needs. Ask what specifically makes it cheaper before assuming it's simply a better deal.
What warranty length should I expect on panels and inverters?
As a general industry benchmark, reputable solar panels typically carry around a 25-year product and performance warranty, while inverters typically carry 5 to 10 years depending on brand (sometimes extendable). If a quote offers noticeably less than this on either component, ask why.
What if a company says it "guarantees" my savings or payback period?
A verbal promise is not a guarantee. In Thailand, a real energy-savings guarantee exists under the ESCO (Energy Service Company) framework — ESCO certification must be applied for and renewed every year, so it is a meaningful credential rather than a marketing claim. If an installer talks about guaranteed returns, ask whether they hold a current ESCO certificate. Smarter Energy Solution holds an ESCO certificate, renewed annually.
Does the installer need to handle the PEA grid connection application?
It doesn't have to be the installer specifically, but someone needs to handle this paperwork correctly for your system to be legally connected to the grid. Confirm during the quote stage whether this is included in the price or handled separately, so there are no surprises after installation.