10 Red Flag Warning Signs of a Solar Scam
Every solar scam in Malaysia shares the same DNA. Recognise these 10 patterns before you sign anything or transfer a single ringgit.
Price too good to be true
Quotes below RM2,800/kWp almost always mean substandard Tier 3 panels, undersized inverters, or a company that will vanish after collecting the deposit.
Pricing Red FlagNo SEDA RPVSP registration
Cannot verify on sfrpv.seda.gov.my? Walk away. Without SEDA registration, the installer cannot legally connect your system to the TNB grid — your investment is worthless.
Legal Red Flag100% upfront payment demanded
Legitimate solar companies follow a structured payment schedule: 10-30% booking, 60-70% before installation, 10% upon completion. 100% upfront is a classic deposit-and-disappear setup.
Payment Red FlagNo physical site visit conducted
Every legitimate solar installation requires a physical site assessment — roof type, shading analysis, meter cabinet inspection, and electrical load review. WhatsApp-only quoting is a major warning sign.
Process Red FlagVague or missing contract
No equipment brand/model specified? No system size in kWp? No warranty terms? No SEDA number? These omissions are intentional — they leave you with no legal recourse when things go wrong.
Contract Red FlagExtreme time pressure tactics
"Price only valid today", "last 3 slots in your area", "promotion ends tonight" — these are high-pressure sales tactics used specifically to stop you from doing proper verification.
Sales Tactic Red FlagNo physical company address
Search the company on SSM (ssm.com.my). No registered address? Operating only via WhatsApp or Facebook? No verifiable physical office? These are hallmarks of fly-by-night operators.
Company Red FlagUnknown panel brands with no datasheets
Legitimate panels come with SIRIM-certified datasheets. If the salesperson cannot name the panel manufacturer, show you the model datasheet, or verify SIRIM approval, the equipment is likely counterfeit or severely below spec.
Equipment Red FlagPromises TNB rebate amounts not guaranteed by contract
Solar ATAP export credits depend on your actual consumption pattern, TNB metering, and system performance. Any salesperson guaranteeing specific monthly savings without a proper energy audit is misleading you.
Claims Red FlagNo after-sales service or maintenance plan
Solar systems need periodic monitoring, cleaning, and inverter firmware updates. A company with zero after-sales support — no service hotline, no maintenance plan, no monitoring portal — will leave you stranded when performance degrades.
Support Red Flag5-Step SEDA RPVSP Verification Guide
Every legitimate solar company in Malaysia must be a Registered PV Service Provider (RPVSP) under SEDA. This is a non-negotiable legal requirement. Here is exactly how to check.
SEDA RPVSP Verification Portal
sfrpv.seda.gov.mySEDA Helpline
03-8870 5800Visit the SEDA RPVSP Portal
Go to sfrpv.seda.gov.my — this is the official Sustainable Energy Development Authority portal for verifying all registered solar PV service providers in Malaysia.
Bookmark this URL. Any legitimate installer will actively encourage you to verify them here.
Search by company name or registration number
Enter the exact company name as it appears on their letterhead or contract. You can also search by their RPVSP registration number if provided.
Try searching partial names. 'Trexon' will return 'Trexon Energy' — useful if you only remember part of the company name.
Verify the registration status is ACTIVE
A valid RPVSP certificate shows status as 'Active' with an unexpired renewal date. Expired RPVSP means the company cannot legally perform new Solar ATAP applications with TNB.
Even previously legitimate companies can have lapsed registration. Check the expiry date, not just the name.
Cross-check the company SSM registration
Go to mycoiis.ssm.com.my and verify the company is registered with SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia). Check incorporation date — companies incorporated less than 1 year ago with no track record warrant extra scrutiny.
Request the SSM company registration number from the installer before any site visit — a legitimate company will share this without hesitation.
Ask for the CIDB Green Card numbers of installers
All electricians performing solar installation must hold a valid CIDB Green Card (electrical category). This ensures they are trained and insured for working on your property. Ask for it — a professional team will show it without being asked twice.
Trexon Energy provides SEDA RPVSP, SSM, CIDB, and TNB approval documentation in every proposal package. Ask any installer for the same.
Legitimate vs Scam Contract: Side-by-Side
A legitimate solar contract is 8-15 pages. A scam contract is often 1-2 pages with vague language. Here is exactly what to look for — and what should immediately raise your alarm.
| Contract Item | Legitimate Contract | Scam Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Company identification | SSM no., SEDA RPVSP no., CIDB no., TNB approval no. | Company name only, or WhatsApp number |
| Equipment specification | Panel brand, model number, wattage, SIRIM cert no. Inverter brand, model, rated capacity. | "High efficiency panels" or "300W panels" with no brand or model |
| System size | Exact kWp size stated (e.g., 6.6 kWp), number of panels, array configuration | Vague references to "enough to cover your bill" without kWp figure |
| Warranty terms | 25-year panel performance warranty, 10-year product warranty, 5-10 year inverter warranty, 1-2 year workmanship warranty with contact details for claims. | "Lifetime warranty" with no specifics, or warranty voided if you call a third party |
| Payment schedule | Staged: 10-30% booking, 60-70% on delivery/start of installation, 10% upon grid connection sign-off | 50-100% upfront required. "Non-refundable booking fee" with no timeline commitment |
| TNB Solar ATAP application | Company explicitly commits to handling full Solar ATAP application. Timeline stated. Company bears cost of re-submission if rejected. | Silent on TNB application — assumes you will handle it, or adds it as a "separate fee" later |
| After-sales support | Named support contact, SLA for response time, monitoring portal access, annual inspection schedule. | "Call us if there is a problem" with no SLA, or support contact is the same WhatsApp number used for sales |
Realistic Solar Pricing Malaysia 2026
Price-based scams work because many consumers do not know what solar should cost. Here is the 2026 benchmark for legitimate installations using Tier 1 equipment with proper certification.
Realistic price per kWp
RM 3,200 – RM 4,500 / kWp
Tier 1 panels, branded inverter, full installation including TNB Solar ATAP application
Danger Zone
Below RM 2,800/kWp — extreme caution
Price only possible with substandard equipment or deposit-and-disappear intent
3 kWp
7-8 panelsRM 9,600 – RM 13,500
Legitimate range
Below RM 8,400
Includes: 3 Tier 1 panels, SUNGROW/Huawei inverter, full DC/AC wiring, SPD, DC isolator, TNB meter, Solar ATAP application
6 kWp
14-16 panelsRM 19,200 – RM 27,000
Legitimate range
Below RM 16,800
Includes: LONGi/Jinko panels, branded inverter, full balance-of-system, all certs and TNB application included
10 kWp
22-25 panelsRM 32,000 – RM 45,000
Legitimate range
Below RM 28,000
Includes: Tier 1 panels (Trina/Canadian Solar), 10kW+ inverter, roof penetration waterproofing, conduit, monitoring system
20 kWp (Commercial)
44-50 panelsRM 60,000 – RM 90,000
Legitimate range
Below RM 52,000
Includes: Commercial-grade panels, string inverter (20kW), 3-phase system, AC protection, generation meter, structural assessment
3 Real Malaysian Solar Scam Case Studies
These are anonymised but real scenarios documented from KPDNHEP complaints and community forums. Names changed. Amounts and timelines are accurate.
The Deposit-and-Disappear: Puan Rosnah, Shah Alam (2025)
Puan Rosnah, 52, found a solar company on Facebook advertising 5kWp systems at RM9,800 — 40% below market. The salesperson was professional, showed testimonials, and promised installation within 3 weeks. She paid a 70% deposit (RM6,860) via bank transfer, and a second installment of RM7,140 two weeks later before installation began. No one showed up on installation day. The WhatsApp number was disconnected. The company's Facebook page was deleted. SSM registration showed the company was incorporated 4 months earlier with RM2 paid-up capital.
Key Lessons
- Never pay more than 30% upfront for any installation work
- Verify SSM incorporation date and paid-up capital before any payment
- Insist on a physical office visit before signing
- Check that the company has previous installations you can see
Outcome
Filed police report and KPDNHEP complaint. Partial recovery of RM6,000 through Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna after 8-month process.
The Substandard Installation: En. Fariz, Klang (2025)
En. Fariz's 8kWp system was installed by a SEDA-registered company at a competitive price. The panels were unlabelled (brand removed). The inverter was a Chinese no-name brand. After 8 months, his system was generating only 40% of promised output. An independent assessment revealed: panels were likely 200W units (not 400W as stated in contract), the inverter was oversized for the actual panels, there was no DC surge protection device, and the roof penetrations had no waterproofing. Fixing the installation properly cost RM8,500 — nearly as much as the original system.
Key Lessons
- Demand exact panel model numbers and verify SIRIM certification before signing
- Photograph all delivered equipment against the contract spec before installation begins
- Get an independent technical inspection after installation — costs RM300-500 and is worth every ringgit
- SEDA registration alone does not guarantee installation quality
Outcome
Complaint filed with SEDA. Company suspended pending investigation. En. Fariz successfully claimed RM5,000 through Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna.
The Ghost TNB Application: Pn. Lim, Petaling Jaya (2025)
Pn. Lim had her 6kWp system installed by a registered company. The panels and inverter were legitimate. But 14 months later, her system still had not been connected to the TNB Solar ATAP grid. The company had collected a RM3,200 TNB application fee as a 'separate charge' and never submitted the application. Without the grid connection, her system could only operate in off-grid mode — she lost 14 months of Solar ATAP export credits worth an estimated RM2,800. The company eventually disappeared when she escalated to SEDA.
Key Lessons
- TNB Solar ATAP application should be included in your contract — not a separate fee
- Ask for the TNB application reference number within 30 days of installation completion
- You can track TNB Solar ATAP applications yourself at myTNB portal
- Do not pay any TNB application fee separately — it is part of the overall installation package
Outcome
Resolved via SEDA mediation. Company required to complete TNB application at no additional cost. RM3,200 application fee refunded.
Interactive Scam Risk Checker
Check your current solar quote against 10 verified risk signals. This takes 2 minutes and could save you tens of thousands of ringgit.
Your Risk Score
0 / 18LOW RISK
Your quote has few warning signs. Proceed with standard due diligence — always verify SEDA registration before signing.
What To Do If You Have Been Scammed
Act immediately. The first 72 hours are critical for evidence preservation and financial recovery. Here are the exact steps in order.
Preserve all evidence immediately
Screenshot every WhatsApp conversation. Save all email correspondence. Photograph the contract, receipt, and any equipment delivered. Back up everything to cloud storage. Do this before doing anything else — digital evidence can disappear.
File a police report
Go to your nearest police station and file a report for criminal breach of trust (CBT) or fraud. Bring all evidence. Get the report reference number — you will need it for all subsequent complaints.
Report to KPDNHEP
Call 1-800-886-800 (free) or visit kpdnhep.gov.my. KPDNHEP (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living) handles consumer protection. Provide your police report number, all evidence, and company details.
File SEDA complaint for RPVSP violations
Email seda@seda.gov.my or call 03-8870 5800. SEDA can suspend or revoke the company's RPVSP registration and investigate technical violations. This is particularly effective for substandard installation cases.
Claim via Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia
For claims up to RM50,000, file with the Consumer Claims Tribunal at kpdnhep.gov.my. Filing fee is RM5. Average resolution time is 3-6 months. Success rate is high when you have documented evidence. No lawyer needed.
Contact your bank for chargeback (within 120 days)
If you paid by credit card or debit card, contact your bank immediately. File a chargeback dispute with supporting evidence. Banks have a 120-day window for chargebacks. FPX bank transfers are harder to reverse — focus on Tribunal in those cases.
Key Contact Numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Quote from a SEDA-Registered Installer
Trexon Energy is SEDA-registered, CIDB-licensed, and TNB-approved. All quotes include full equipment specification, system layout, and transparent pricing — no hidden fees, no pressure tactics.