How to Choose a Solar EPC Contractor in Hyderabad: 7 Questions to Ask

Choosing the right solar EPC contractor in Hyderabad is arguably the most important decision you'll make in your solar project. The quality of your installer determines not just the installation quality but the 25-year financial return on your investment. Here are seven critical questions every buyer should ask before signing an EPC contract.

1. Are You DISCOM-Empanelled?

In Telangana, TSSPDCL requires solar EPC contractors to be empanelled on its approved vendor list to handle net metering applications for customers. An empanelled contractor has demonstrated the technical capacity and documentation standards required by the DISCOM. Installing with a non-empanelled contractor can delay or complicate your net metering application — and in some cases, result in rejection.

2. Can You Provide a PVsyst Simulation Report?

PVsyst is the industry-standard software for solar yield estimation. A bankable PVsyst report will show you the projected annual energy generation (in kWh), the system's Performance Ratio (PR), losses from shading, wiring, and inverter clipping, and a monthly generation profile. Any credible EPC contractor should provide this as part of the proposal — and be able to walk you through the assumptions.

3. What Panel and Inverter Brands Do You Use?

Tier-1 panels (as assessed by BloombergNEF) from manufacturers like LONGi, JA Solar, Jinko, and Waaree (among others) come with robust 25-year linear performance warranties and bankable quality track records. Similarly, inverters from Tier-1 global OEMs (SMA, Fronius, ABB, Huawei, Sungrow) are preferred for C&I applications. Ask for the specific model datasheets and verify the warranty terms — not just the headline efficiency number.

4. What Is Your Track Record in Hyderabad?

Ask for references — not just testimonial quotes, but actual site visits or direct contact with previous clients in Hyderabad. A contractor with 5 years and 50 installations in the local market understands TSSPDCL's process nuances, the local structural requirements for RCC rooftops in Telangana's wind zone, and the monsoon-specific installation scheduling considerations that an out-of-market contractor might miss.

5. What Does Your O&M Contract Cover?

The cheapest EPC quote often has no O&M commitment beyond a 1-year workmanship warranty. But who cleans the panels? Who diagnoses underperforming strings? Who handles inverter replacements in Year 7? A serious EPC contractor offers a comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) covering: panel cleaning, inverter servicing, performance monitoring, and emergency response — ideally for 5+ years.

6. How Do You Handle DISCOM Approvals?

Net metering applications in Hyderabad involve multiple touchpoints with TSSPDCL: feasibility application, DISCOM inspection, meter installation, and commissioning certificate. Ask the contractor: How many days does your typical TSSPDCL net metering approval take? Who is your point of contact in TSSPDCL? What documentation do you prepare? A contractor who handles dozens of projects knows exactly what the DISCOM needs and how to avoid common rejection reasons.

7. What Is Your Project Timeline and Payment Schedule?

A clear project timeline (typically 6–10 weeks from order to commissioning for a 100–500 kW project) and a milestone-linked payment schedule protect you from common contractor risk scenarios — such as advance payment for materials followed by project delays. Insist on: 10% advance, 40% on material delivery, 40% on installation completion, 10% on net metering commissioning. Never pay 100% upfront.