TLDR: Verify DEWA or ADDC approval. Request a fully itemised quote. Ensure the system is sized to your real consumption. Scrutinise the inverter, not just the panels. Understand post-installation support. And always compare multiple certified quotes before deciding.
Going solar is a significant home investment. Choosing the wrong installer — or signing a quote without knowing what to look for — can cost you years of underperformance, poor warranties, and no recourse when something goes wrong.
This guide covers exactly what to check before you commit.
Step 1: Confirm They Are Officially Approved
In Dubai, installers must be registered under Shams Dubai, DEWA's rooftop solar programme. In Abu Dhabi, following the Department of Energy's residential self-supply policy launched in March 2026, installers must be compliant with ADDC's updated framework.
Ask for their registration number and verify it directly on the DEWA or ADDC portal. An unapproved installer cannot legally connect your system to the grid — meaning your panels generate power you cannot use or export.
Step 2: Get a Fully Itemised Quote
A valid solar quote should break down:
Panel brand, model and efficiency rating
Inverter brand, model and warranty period
Mounting structure and cabling
Installation labour
DEWA or ADDC application and connection fees
Post-installation support and maintenance terms
If a quote gives you one total number without a breakdown, ask for the itemisation in writing. Understanding what you're paying for each component is the only way to compare quotes meaningfully across different companies.
Step 3: Make Sure the System Is Sized to Your Actual Consumption
System sizing should be based on your real electricity consumption — not a generic estimate. A credible installer will ask to see your DEWA or ADDC bills before proposing a system size.
In the UAE, electricity consumption varies significantly between seasons. A system sized only to your winter average will underperform in summer, when your bill is highest and the savings matter most. Ask your installer to show you the monthly generation estimate against your monthly consumption profile.
Step 4: Ask the Right Questions About the Inverter
Most homeowners focus on panel brand. The inverter deserves equal attention — it is the component most likely to require replacement within the system's 25-year lifespan and the one most commonly downgraded on cheaper proposals.
Ask: what is the inverter brand, what is the warranty period, and what is the process and cost for replacement if it fails outside warranty?
Step 5: Understand What Happens After Installation
A solar system requires periodic maintenance and monitoring. Before signing, clarify:
Who monitors system performance and how
What the process is for a fault or underperformance claim
Whether a maintenance contract is included or separately priced
How long the company has been operating in the UAE
An installer who has been in the market for less than two years carries more risk than one with an established local track record.
Step 6: Compare More Than One Quote
The UAE solar market is competitive, with over 100 DEWA-certified installers operating in Dubai alone. Prices, component quality and service levels vary significantly between providers.
Comparing at least two or three certified quotes — for the same system specification — is the most reliable way to know whether you are being offered a fair price and appropriate components.
Not sure if your quote is competitive?
SolarQuote UAE lets you compare verified, itemised quotes from certified installers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi — side by side, with no sales pressure. Enter your details and see where your quote stands.
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