Questions to ask any solar contractor before signing

Choosing the delivery contractor is the most important decision in a home solar project. These questions help you understand and fairly compare offers — whether they reach you through Shamsak or anywhere else.

About the company

• How many years have you been installing residential solar systems?
• Do you hold the licences and registrations required for this type of work?
• Can I see completed projects similar to my home?

About the design

• Did you carry out a technical site survey before the offer? An offer based on a real survey is more accurate than any remote estimate.
• What is the proposed system size in kilowatts, and how was it calculated?
• How did you handle shading, orientation and roof angle?
• Does the design include an architectural structure (canopy or pergola), or a direct roof mounting?

About the components

• What brand are the panels and the inverter, and how long is each one's warranty?
• Who actually services the warranty in Egypt — the local agent or the contractor?

About delivery and follow-up

• What is the expected timeline from signing to operation?
• Who handles the grid-connection procedures and the required approvals?
• What does the post-installation service include: monitoring, periodic maintenance, fault response?

About the offer itself

• Is the offer itemised line by line? Ask for a clear breakdown of every component and work item.
• What is NOT included? (Civil works, extra wiring, third-party fees)

In short

A good contractor welcomes these questions and answers them clearly. If an offer dodges the details, that is a signal worth noticing. And if you want an indicative number for the right system size before meeting contractors, try the Own Power Simulator.