How to Verify an MNRE-Approved Registered Vendor

Five FIRs. Three cities. One man. That’s the count of the middleman who is now sitting in Lucknow district jail over an alleged ₹8,000-crore solar commission scam. A resident accused him of forging a sale deed to grab his land, and then using that land to pull a ₹1.25 crore bank loan through a shell company.

That’s not a one-off. It’s a warning.

Solar scams don’t look like scams. They look like a friendly agent with a laptop full of “official” documents, throwing around words like “government-approved” and “subsidy guaranteed.” No horns, no red flags waving, just a good pitch. And with PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana pulling more and more homeowners toward rooftop solar, every kind of vendor is showing up to cash in. Some are legit. A lot aren’t.

Here’s the one question that separates the two: is this vendor actually on the MNRE-approved solar vendor list (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and empanelled for the subsidy scheme? Most people who’ve been scammed never asked it.

So let’s fix that. This guide walks you through exactly how to check a vendor’s credentials, the fake “approvals” fraudsters love to flash, and how to make sure your rooftop doesn’t end up as the next solar fraud case.

What Does MNRE-Approved Actually Mean?

Two separate but related things need to be verified:

1. ALMM-Listed Solar Panels (Approved List of Models & Manufacturers)

The ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) is maintained by MNRE and lists solar PV modules that meet quality and BIS certification standards. Only panels on this list are eligible for use in government-subsidized projects.

Before you sign anything, ask your vendor to share the brand and model of the panels they plan to install, and cross-check it against the ALMM list on mnre.gov.in.

For more details, you can check out our detailed blog on MNRE-Approved Solar Panels Under ALMM List II.

2. PM Surya Ghar Empanelled Vendors (Your Installer Must Be Registered)

For subsidy eligibility under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, your installer must be separately empanelled with your state DISCOM. In Lucknow, that DISCOM is MVVNL (Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited).

Only vendors registered on the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana National Portal for Rooftop Solar and empanelled by MVVNL are authorized to carry out installations that qualify for central financial assistance (CFA).

How to Verify a Solar Vendor: Step-by-Step Guide

Before choosing a solar vendor in your city, verify their credentials, experience, product quality, pricing, installation practices, and after-sales support. Check their registration and certifications, compare detailed quotations, review past installations, and confirm who will handle approvals, net metering, maintenance, and warranty claims before signing the agreement.

Step 1: Visit the Official PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Portal

Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in. This is the only official national portal for the scheme.

• On the homepage, look for the “Find a Vendor” or “Vendor List” section
• Select your state
• Select your DISCOM (Distribution Company)
• Download or browse the district-wise vendor list for your city

You’ll be able to see the vendor’s name, registration ID, empanelment status, and contact details. Always cross-check the vendor’s details against what they’ve shared with you.

Step 2: Verify the Panels and Inverters Against the ALMM List

Ask your vendor the exact brand, model, and wattage of the panels they plan to install.

Then:

• Visit mnre.gov.in → ALMM section
• Download the latest ALMM List-I (updated regularly; as of 2025, over 100 manufacturers are listed)
• Search for the manufacturer and model mentioned by your vendor

If the panels aren’t on the list, they won’t qualify for government subsidy, and any vendor telling you otherwise is misleading you.

Step 3: Confirm empanelment is active, not expired or blacklisted

Vendor status can change; check that the listing shows an active/current status. If a vendor has been blacklisted or suspended by MNRE or the DISCOM for non-compliance, this should also be reflected on the portal.

Step 4: Use the DCR Verification Portal

For an additional layer of verification, MNRE has a dedicated DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) Verification Portal, developed by NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy). This portal lets you verify whether specific solar modules are truly domestically manufactured and ALMM-compliant, right down to the supply chain.

Step 5: Ask for These Documents Before Signing Anything

A legitimate, empanelled vendor should be able to hand over the following without hesitation:

If a vendor hesitates, gives vague answers, or claims they don’t need these documents, walk away.

Reasons Why Verifying a Solar Vendor Is Important

Verifying a solar vendor protects your PM Surya Ghar subsidy, ensures ALMM-compliant panels and inverters, and confirms DISCOM empanelment for net metering approval. Unverified vendors risk subsidy rejection, poor installation quality, and no accountability for warranty claims. These warning signs are universal:

• “Free solar panels” or “zero-cost installation”: No government scheme installs panels for free. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana offers a subsidy of up to Rs. 78,000 for systems of 3 kW or higher capacity, credited to your bank account after installation and verification, not upfront, and not through any middleman.
• Asking for a large advance payment: Legitimate vendors typically work on a milestone-based payment structure. Anyone demanding the full solar installation cost or a very large advance before work begins is a red flag.

• No physical office or verifiable address: Genuine solar EPC companies have an operational presence in the city. If the person you’re speaking to has only a mobile number and a WhatsApp profile, be very cautious.
• Pressure to sign “before the scheme ends”: This is a classic urgency tactic. Government subsidy programs have defined timelines posted publicly. No vendor has privileged information about a deadline that doesn’t exist on the official portal.

• Panels or inverters with no brand name or BIS mark: Under MNRE guidelines, only BIS-certified panels from ALMM-listed manufacturers qualify for subsidy. If a vendor can’t tell you the brand or dismisses BIS certification as “not needed for residential,” they’re either lying or working with substandard equipment.
• Subsidy processing fees: The subsidy under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana goes directly to your bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) after your DISCOM verifies the installation. No fee, no middleman, no agent charge is required or legitimate.

Types of Solar Scams Active in India in 2026

There are multiple types of scams; let’s list them in bullets:

• Free solar panels scam
• Fake subsidy or cashback promise scam
• Unregistered vendors
• Substandard equipment scam
• Fake subsidy agents who claim they can “process” your PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy faster for a fee.

• Unempanelled vendors (Those that aren’t registered vendors on the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana National Portal) who install cheap, non-BIS-certified panels that don’t qualify for any subsidy.
• Impersonation of government officials or MNRE representatives to create false urgency.
• WhatsApp/Facebook ads promising “free solar” or “100% government-funded installations”.

How to File a Complaint If You’ve Been Defrauded?

If you’ve already been approached by a suspicious vendor or have lost money to a solar scam, here’s where to go:

• Gather evidence: Collect payment receipts, contracts, WhatsApp/email chats, and vendor registration claims.
• Check portal status first: Confirm on pmsuryaghar.gov.in whether the vendor was ever actually empanelled.
• Raise a grievance on PM Surya Ghar portal: Use the “Grievance” or “Support” section to file a complaint against the vendor directly.
• Contact your DISCOM: Report the vendor to your local electricity distribution company, especially if net metering or installation was involved.
• File a consumer complaint: Use the National Consumer Helpline (1915) or consumerhelpline.gov.in for financial fraud/deficient service.
• Report cyber/financial fraud: If payment was made digitally, call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) or file at cybercrime.gov.in.
• Lodge a police FIR: For significant monetary loss, file a written complaint at your local police station.
• Notify MNRE: Email or write to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy if the vendor falsely claimed government empanelment.

The Right Way to Go Solar

Going solar is still one of the smartest financial decisions a homeowner can make. The subsidy is real, net metering works, and the long-term savings are significant, as you also get additional state subsidy on top of the central subsidy scheme. You just need to do it through the right channel.

Here’s the legitimate process, in brief:

1. Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your electricity consumer number and Aadhaar details
2. Wait for eligibility confirmation from your DISCOM
3. Choose a vendor from the MNRE-approved solar vendor list; don’t engage anyone who approaches you first
4. Get a site survey done and finalize a written contract (not just a WhatsApp quote)
5. Installation and net metering application handled by your vendor
6. Post-inspection, your subsidy is credited directly to your bank account, no fees involved

Conclusion

Solar fraud in India isn’t a hypothetical risk; it’s happening right now, and you are not immune to it. The good news is that the government has made it surprisingly easy to verify a vendor, check panel quality, and file complaints if something goes wrong. Five minutes on the PMSGMBY website before you engage any installer could save you lakhs.

Don’t let the excitement of going solar and getting a substantial subsidy push you into a rushed decision. If a vendor isn’t on pmsuryaghar.gov.in, don’t proceed, no matter how convincing their pitch sounds.

Solar is at least a 25-year investment. Spend five minutes verifying before you spend a single rupee.

SolarSquare, for instance, is the #1 rooftop home solar company in India, as per the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana portal. If you’re planning to go solar, you can book a free solar consultation with SolarSquare right away.

FAQs

Can I get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy if I use an unregistered vendor?

No. The subsidy, which goes up to Rs. 78,000 for eligible homeowners, is only released after your DISCOM verifies the installation. If your installer is not empanelled with your DISCOM, the installation will not be approved, and your subsidy application will not go through. Always choose a vendor from the official portal before any work begins.

Is it safe to pay a solar installer in advance?

Partial advance payments are standard practice, but be cautious of vendors asking for the full amount upfront before any work starts. Legitimate solar companies typically follow a milestone-based payment structure (e.g., a portion at booking, the rest at installation). Never pay a large lump sum in cash, and always get a written receipt or formal agreement.

How long does the PM Surya Ghar subsidy take to reach my account?

The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) after your DISCOM carries out a post-installation inspection and the net meter is activated. In practice, this process can be done within 30 days.

Can a solar vendor register with the PM Surya Ghar portal on their own?

No, a vendor cannot self-register directly. They must approach their concerned DISCOM, submit the required documents and a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG), and be approved by the DISCOM. Only after your DISCOM uploads their details does the vendor appear on the national PM Surya Ghar portal.