The 5 most common fraudulent calculation methods
Analysis based on a 10 kWp installation — Mauritian PVGIS average: 17 610 kWh/year (Max) | 14 090 kWh/year (Min)
See the production table by district →| Scam type | Method used | Declared production | Deviation | Estimated overpayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total confusion | Irradiation Hh × Power | 20 160 kWh/an | +28 % | Rs 885 958 |
| Total omission of losses | Tilted irradiation × Power | 18 545 kWh/an | +18 % | Rs 611 476 |
| Underestimated losses | Declares a PR of 0.90 | 16 691 kWh/an | +6 % | Rs 296 204 |
| False location | West coast data for Curepipe | 17 604 kWh/an | +12 % | Rs 451 501 |
| Shading omission | Trees, neighbouring buildings ignored | 18 076 kWh/an | +15 % | Rs 531 664 |
The reality of the figures — Unavoidable losses
To convert sunlight into electricity at your outlets, the system undergoes a cascade of unavoidable losses. In Mauritius, the real Performance Ratio (PR) is approximately 0.827 (82.7 % efficiency, 17.3 % losses). Expect 0.5 % à 1 % de pertes supplémentaires par année.
Breakdown for 10 kWp in Mauritius
- 1Irradiation on optimal tilted plane (17°) 1 843 kWh/m²/an
- 2Theoretical production (0 loss) 18 430 kWh/an
- 3Thermal losses (heat) −10,7 %
- 4Reflection losses (AOI) −2,9 %
- 5Spectral losses −0,7 %
- 6System losses (cabling, inverter) −3,0 %
- 7Panel losses LID + initial degradation −1,5 %
Real year 1 production — 10 kWp (Mauritian average)
High average — Full North, 20–25°
17 610
kWh/an
Low average — Unfav. orientation (−20 %)
14 090
kWh/an
i.e. 1 761 kWh/kWp/year (Max) | 1 409 kWh/kWp/year (Min)
See the table by district →Progressive degradation (Years 1–20)
Concrete example — Fraudulent quote vs reality
Installation 10 kWp in Curepipe — CEB Tariff : Rs 6,95/kWh (SSDG)
| Indicator | Fraudulent quote | Reality Max (Full North) | Reality Min (Unfav. orient.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 production | 20 160 kWh/an | 17 610 kWh/an | 14 090 kWh/an |
| Year 1 revenue | Rs 140 112/an | Rs 122 390/an | Rs 97 926/an |
| Production difference | — | −2 550 kWh/an | −6 070 kWh/an |
| Financial loss over 20 years | — | Rs 354 450 | Rs 843 730 |
Why are these errors so widespread?
Confusion between irradiation and production
Irradiation (kWh/m²) measures the solar energy received per square metre. Production (kWh) is what your installation actually generates after all losses. Multiplying irradiation by power without applying the PR gives an overestimation of 28 %.
Using data from the wrong location
Mauritius has very varied terrain. The West Coast (Flic en Flac) receives 15 % more irradiation than the central plateau (Curepipe). Using West Coast data for an installation in Curepipe artificially inflates estimates.
Omission of thermal losses
Solar panels lose efficiency when they heat up. In Mauritius, with high temperatures, thermal losses represent approximately 10.7 % of theoretical production. Omitting them amounts to overestimating production by 12 %.
Important note
The official reference tool is PVGIS (Photovoltaic Geographical Information System) from the European Commission. It uses SARAH3 satellite data and is recognised by the CEB as the reference for solar productivity calculations in Mauritius.
The Mauritian PVGIS average is 17 610 kWh/an pour 10 kWc (Max, plein Nord). Tout devis annonçant plus de 20 000 kWh/an pour 10 kWc est suspect.
How to protect yourself — Checklist before signing
Before signing a quote for a solar installation in Mauritius, demand the following :
Demand the PVGIS report
Request the PDF generated by the European PVGIS tool (SARAH3 version) with the exact GPS coordinates of your property.
Demand the 20-year degradation table
The quote must include the year-by-year production decline (−0.5 %/year). Constant production over 20 years is an error.
Look for the Energy Production line
Never look at the Irradiation line. Only the energy produced (in kWh) matters. These are two fundamentally different data points.
Check system losses
Losses related to cabling and the inverter must be clearly identified, around 3 % minimum.
Beware of yields > 1 750 kWh/kWc/an
In Mauritius, the high average (full North, optimal orientation) is 1 761 kWh/kWp/year. Any quote declaring more than 1 750 kWh/kWp/year must be verified on PVGIS.
Official reference
European Commission, Joint Research Centre — Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS)
Behavioural & contractual warning signs
Beyond calculation errors, certain behaviours and commercial practices are immediate alarm signals. Here are 8 situations to avoid.
A quote more than 30 % below market average (Rs 350 000–550 000 pour un système 5 kWc + batterie) cache presque toujours du matériel de contrefaçon, une sous-dimensionnement délibéré ou l'absence de garantie réelle. Le prix bas est la première technique de vente des installateurs peu scrupuleux.
Every commitment must be formalised by a signed contract mentioning : the exact brand and model of each component, installed power, manufacturer and labour warranties, installation and CEB connection timescales, and termination conditions. A verbal quote or a simple purchase order does not protect you.
"This offer expires tonight", "only 2 slots left this month", "the price will increase tomorrow" — these phrases are pressure selling techniques. No serious installer requires you to sign the same day. Always take at least 48 to 72 hours to compare and re-read the contract.
An installer who refuses to mention the exact brands of panels, inverters and batteries before signing is reserving the freedom to substitute cheaper equipment after payment. Systematically demand complete references (brand, model, serial number) in the contract.
A deposit exceeding 30 % du montant total, demandé en espèces ou par virement immédiat sans reçu officiel, est un signal d'alerte fort. Privilégiez les paiements par chèque ou virement bancaire traçable, et ne versez jamais plus de 30 % avant le début des travaux.
A serious installer can put you in contact with existing clients or provide photos of recent installations with verifiable addresses. The total absence of references, or unverifiable references, is a major warning sign.
Connection to the CEB network depends exclusively on the CEB and can take 3 to 12 months depending on the area. No installer can "guarantee" a connection timeframe. Such a promise reveals either a lack of understanding of the process, or a deliberate attempt at manipulation.
A solar system requires regular maintenance (panel cleaning, connection checks, firmware updates). A contract that mentions no post-installation maintenance obligation leaves the customer without recourse at the first failure. Demand an after-sales clause with maximum intervention time.
💡 Understanding real market prices
The "abnormally low price" warning sign only makes sense if you know the real price ranges. Discover the 4 financing options (cash, credit, leasing, rental) and their honest cost analysis.
Typical profiles of unscrupulous actors
Beyond technical errors, certain actors in the Mauritian solar market operate with deliberately misleading commercial practices. Here are the 4 profiles to identify before signing anything.
This profile is often a salesperson recruited for their ability to sell, without any training in electricity or solar energy. They perfectly master pressure selling techniques but are unable to answer a precise technical question. They rely on marketing brochures and uncalibrated internal simulators to produce attractive figures. Their goal is signing the contract, not the quality of the installation.
Warning signs
- Cannot explain the Performance Ratio calculation
- Avoids questions about component brands
- Insists on the "exceptional discount" valid today only
- Proposes a "signing meeting" from the first contact
This profile is an electrician or handyman who improvises as a solar installer without specific training in photovoltaic systems. They can do basic wiring but ignore CEB standards, Grid Impact Assessment requirements, anti-islanding protections and earthing rules specific to PV installations. Their installations rarely pass CEB inspection on the first attempt, and manufacturer warranties are often voided due to lack of an approved installer.
Warning signs
- Does not mention the Grid Impact Assessment (GIA)
- Unable to cite IEC 62446 or IEC 60364-7-712 standards
- Offers a very low price without engineering firm
- No CEB registration number as approved installer
This profile uses a sophisticated marketing arsenal : fictitious "government" discounts, offers "limited to 10 clients", solar subscription cards with opaque monthly payments, or promises of "guaranteed zero CEB bill". The proposed contracts often include automatic renewal clauses for 10 to 15 years, high termination penalties, and unilateral tariff revision terms. Form takes precedence over substance : professional website, showroom, company car — but no verifiable technical references.
Warning signs
- Talks about "government subsidy" without official CEB reference
- Proposes a "solar subscription" with fixed monthly payments for 10+ years
- Uses terms like "guaranteed zero bill" or "guaranteed profitability"
- Contract with unilateral tariff revision clause or termination penalty > 20%
This profile presents a structured facade company (website, professional quotes, signed contract) but subcontracts the entire installation to unqualified, sometimes informal teams. The client signs with a legal entity but the installation is carried out by people with no contractual link to that entity. In case of problems, the facade company declares itself not responsible for subcontractors. Warranties are unenforceable because the actual installer is not party to the contract.
Warning signs
- Impossible to identify the technicians who will intervene
- Refusal to mention subcontractors in the contract
- The signatory company has no verifiable physical address in Mauritius
- After-sales service provided by "a partner" not named in the contract
How to verify an installer before signing
Three concrete steps, accessible to all, to validate the legitimacy of an installer before any financial commitment.
Verification at the Registrar of Companies
Any serious installer is a legally registered company in Mauritius. Check its existence, status (active/inactive), creation date and directors on the official Registrar of Companies portal.
Ask the installer for the Business Registration Number (BRN) before the meeting. A refusal is an immediate warning sign.
Request for CEB references
Demand the list of installations connected to the CEB network with corresponding CEB file numbers. The CEB can confirm that an installation has been approved and connected. An installer without any verifiable CEB reference has no provable track record.
Ask for at least 3 references of SSDG or MSDG installations connected in the last 24 months, with address and connection date.
MQA register consultation
The Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) certifies technicians and installers in technical trades. Verify that the technicians who will work at your premises hold an MQA certification in electricity or renewable energy. This is a minimum guarantee of competence recognised by the Mauritian state.
Ask for the MQA certification number of the lead technician. Certifications are nominative and verifiable online.
These verifications take less than 30 minutes and can save you years of litigation. A serious installer will welcome these requests — it's a sign of professionalism, not distrust.
Download the checklist
Print this checklist and bring it to your meetings with installers.