The Government of India is evaluating a new benchmarking system known as the Solar Installation Quality Rating Index (SIQRI-2026), designed to publicly grade rooftop solar installation quality across all states. Officials told SolSetu that this initiative would help consumers choose better installers and push the industry toward higher technical standards.

The rating system comes at a time when India is witnessing record numbers of rooftop solar installations, but also rising complaints about poor wiring, loose DC connectors, substandard mounting, and water leakage due to incorrect rooftop drilling.

Why SIQRI-2026 Is Being Considered

DISCOMs and state renewable agencies have reported recurring issues such as:

• Poor-quality workmanship leading to inverter shutdowns
• Panels mounted at incorrect tilt or unsafe angles
• Loose MC4 connectors causing heating and fire risk
• Inaccurate system sizing by inexperienced vendors
• Rooftop damage due to improper drilling or waterproofing

The new index aims to highlight high-performing installers and encourage safer installations across India.

How the Quality Rating Index May Work

The SIQRI-2026 framework may evaluate installers based on:

• Wiring quality & cable management
• DC connector safety certification
• Mounting structure anchoring and durability
• Roof waterproofing compliance
• Inverter placement & ventilation standards
• System documentation & handover quality

Installers may be assigned ratings from A+ (excellent) to D (poor), visible publicly through national solar portals.

Benefits for Consumers

• Easy comparison of installer workmanship
• Lower risk of system failure or fire
• Higher long-term energy generation
• Better protection of rooftop surfaces

Benefits for the Industry

• Encourages professional engineering practices
• Helps identify training needs for new technicians
• Reduces warranty claims and service burden
• Improves trust in rooftop solar adoption

States Likely to Adopt First

Early rollout may happen in states with high rooftop density:

• Gujarat
• Karnataka
• Rajasthan
• Maharashtra
• Delhi NCR

Officials say the index may eventually become mandatory for subsidy-eligible installations.

SolSetu will continue reporting updates as SIQRI-2026 moves through evaluation and pilot testing stages.