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As of June 2024, over 1.4 million UK homes have been fitted with solar panels [1] by more than 2,000 national solar panel installers. If you are considering making the switch to solar energy, our experts have compared solar companies, considering their qualifications, warranties, customer support, and solar panel costs to help you choose the right provider for your solar installation.
Our experts’ top choice is Project Solar, known for its lifetime warranties and excellent after-sales care, but all the solar panel installation companies in this guide are reputable, reliable and have accreditations that guarantee a good service.
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Your solar system’s efficiency depends on the quality and positioning of the panels, so it’s important to choose a reliable, knowledgeable technician for your solar installation. They should select the best solar panels and install them in a way that maximises energy generation while meeting safety and compliance standards. Choosing an installer with at least four years of experience indicates expertise as well as a certain level of customer satisfaction.
⚫️ Best overall: Project Solar
⚫️ Best choice of solar products: Glow Green
⚫️ Best turnaround time: Solar4Good
Our solar experts have used a range of data from trusted sources such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), industry leaders, and customer reviews to choose the best solar panel installers.
Each installer’s services and products were carefully examined, taking into account a range of criteria, including:
This rigorous evaluation process ensures that the solar installers we recommend are the best in the business, offering quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
We only considered installers with an MCS accreditation, which ensures they meet the highest standards of quality and comply with industry regulations. An MCS certification is also required for homeowners to benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
| Provider | Installation warranty | Year founded |
|---|---|---|
 |
10 years | 2011 |
 |
5 years | 2011 |
 |
Not specified | 2020 |
 |
2 years | 2008 |
 |
5 years (20-year warranty under subscription plan) | 2016 |
 |
2 years | 2017 |
 |
2 years | 2015 |
 |
2 years | 1995 |
 |
10 years | 2019 |
 |
2 years (20-year warranty under subscription plan) | 2022 |
National installers are often the best option because of their extensive experience, resources, and established customer service standards. You can easily find solar panel installers near you by filling out our short form to receive free quotes from our trusted partners.
Project Solar is a large player in the renewable energy landscape, performing over 45,000 solar installations since its inception in 2011.
The company boasts accreditations from several industry organisations, including the MCS, the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES) which focuses on consumer protection, the Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS) and the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT).
Project Solar’s diverse product portfolio includes the Evo Super Max solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and innovative PV roof tiles, advanced EV chargers, infrared heaters and smart heating systems. The company also uses SunPower Maxeon panels in its installations.
Project Solar stands out from its competitors thanks to its industry-leading warranties (lifetime product warranty for the solar panels, and 10 years for labour) which are guaranteed to grant homeowners peace of mind.
Project Solar has a Trustpilot rating of 4.7 stars. While most reviews about the company are positive, there are some one-star reviews from customers dissatisfied with the initial consultation or follow-up appointments, with reports of missed appointments and poor after-sales service. That said, Project Solar has shown its commitment to customer service by responding to every review, be it positive or negative.
Steve was very happy with his Project Solar experience, explaining that from start to finish, everyone was helpful, and the actual installation only took a few hours. He’s also extremely pleased with his savings:
“Even in mid-February, there are days when we don’t use any [grid] electricity, the battery is charged up to 70 per cent, and it lasts until 10 or 11 at night. As the days get longer, it’s just going to get better. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Read our full Project Solar review.
Glow Green specialises in energy-efficient home enhancements including solar panels, solar battery storage, EV chargers, air conditioning and heat pumps. The company uses Tesla, PureDrive, Trina, JA Solar and Perlight solar products for its installations.
Glow Green’s like-for-like price match guarantee is a great incentive: if a customer receives a cheaper quote from one of its national competitors, Glow Green is committed to beating the price by at least £100.
Glow Green has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, but this applies to all of the company’s products, not just its solar panel installations. The company tries to respond to all reviews and offers to rectify any issues customers have. Its 12-year track record and commitment to customer satisfaction are proof of its reliability and professionalism.
“Had a new solar system installed yesterday. It was so easy. My quote was prepared by Dan who was very helpful, he was extremely patient and was happy to keep revising quotes as I changed my mind and no hard sell. All equipment and scaffolding were delivered on time. The installers Billy and Danny were brilliant – so hardworking and pleasant and knew the system inside out. I cannot fault the service I had from Glow Green and would happily recommend them.” – Carol Bacon, May 2024
Read our full Glow Green review.
Despite being one of the most recently-founded solar installers in this guide, Solar4Good already has a great track record of efficient and quality solar installations, completing between 1,200 and 1,500 every year.
The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Harrow, UK with offices scattered around the rest of the country. Solar4Good stands out from the crowd thanks to its rapid turnaround time – the whole process from quote to completion can take as little as two weeks.
Solar4Good offers three domestic solar installation packages that can be customised and expanded according to your needs. Prices range between £5,500 and £6,000 for the cheapest package (10 solar panels) and go up to £9,000 and over for the most expensive one (16 panels and 8.7kWh battery storage). The company provides solar panels, heat pumps, and solar inverters from the likes of JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Seraphim, Suntech and Qcells.
We love that it’s easy to get in touch with customer service through a range of communication channels, from email and phone to social media platforms. We found team members friendly, polite and helpful when we got in touch. This is reflected in Solar4Good’s 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot.
“What an experience with Solar4Good – Rahi is a well experienced professional and has been a pleasure to deal with. Right from the initial contact to the completion, he and his team have been exceptional.
Talk of the installation team – (Frederick & Joe) – they were in and out in a breeze with clear explanations and clean and prompt workmanship. I would recommend this outfit for your solar needs.” – Nitin Patel, October 2024
Read our full Solar4Good review.
Effective Home installs heating systems, insulation solutions, solar battery storage and PV panel systems throughout the UK. It offers customers free surveys and various finance options.
Effective Home is accredited by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, which ensures its compliance with national installation standards. It also holds HIES and EPVS accreditations, guaranteeing households will achieve the energy savings promised by their solar installer.
Effective Home offers an ‘Energy Shield’ subscription service with a £99 onboarding fee, enabling homeowners to benefit from a solar system without the large upfront costs. While subscribers can benefit from reduced energy prices, the company retains ownership of the panels and maintains them at no extra costs to customers. The subscription has a five-year fixed term, during which customers buy the energy their solar panels generate at prices starting from 19.9p per kWh.
Effective Home supplies panels from JA Solar, Aiko and Longi, and has collaborated with smart home brand Hive to integrate solar systems into the Hive smart home app. Additionally, Effective Home has teamed up with EDF, British Gas, Halifax and Lloyds Banking Group so these companies can offer solar panels to their customers.
The company’s Trustpilot rating is 4.5 stars, with 85 per cent of reviewers granting it four or five stars. Effective Home’s customer service team responds to all Trustpilot reviews and offers to rectify any negative experiences, showing the company’s commitment to maintaining customer satisfaction.
“Excellent service from start to finish.
Installation was great, the guys who did the job were very professional and friendly. Kayleigh in customer services was also very good to deal with and made sure everything went as planned.
We looked at other companies to use for our solar needs but nobody was as informative or straightforward as Effective Home to deal with.” – Nick, October 2024
Read our full Effective Home review.
Established in 2016, Otovo is headquartered in Norway and focuses on residential solar panel installations across Europe and the UK.
Otovo’s subscription plan significantly reduces the barriers to solar energy adoption, enabling customers to access it from just £25 per month. This monthly payment covers hardware, installation, maintenance and insurance costs, doing away with the high upfront costs that come with solar panels. While the subscription plan is active, Otovo owns the panels, but ownership transfers to the homeowner upon completion of the subscription period. Homeowners can pay off the balance at any point, and the system then becomes their property.
A solar system with a battery for a two-bedroom home from Otovo costs around £4,370 (£1,000 less than the national average, as calculated by MCS), and the company matches quotes from competitors on a like-for-like basis. They also offer a £200 reward for referrals, and £200 off the referred homeowner’s Otovo solar system.
Customers have awarded Otovo 4 stars on Trustpilot, and most reviews highlight the company’s excellent customer service, polite and efficient installers and transparent pricing policies. We also love that Otovo’s installers and projects are regularly vetted to ensure consistent quality.
“The process was quick and easy from the start. Great price, really good service and the panels and all kit were installed within a couple of weeks of agreeing the contract. The only part of the process that can take a while is after installation to get the commissioning documents and all the info you need to get the special solar tariff from your supplier. Apart from that, cannot recommend Otovo highly enough!” – Eren Ismall, May 2024
Read our full Otovo review.
Heatable uses REA Solar panels, Enphase inverters and AlphaESS batteries in its solar system installations.The company has its own online design tool, eliminating the need for a home visit to provide a fixed quote.
Once your system is installed, Heatable provides ongoing maintenance, real-time battery data and 24-hour panel-by-panel system performance and storage monitoring.
The company is MCS-certified and compliant with the HIES Consumer Code, ensuring reliability.
Heatable has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 stars, with an impressive 98 per cent of customers giving the company four or five stars. Be aware, however, that not all of these reviews relate to solar installations.
“Fully planned out and installed solar and battery installation and all done within two weeks of the G99 response. Installers were friendly and went through everything I needed. It is looking like the bifacial and micro inverters are performing better than I expected.” – Keith Dunbar, June 2024
Based in Berkshire, Evergen delivers a range of solar solutions including solar panels and batteries across the UK. The company currently uses Aiko panels, which are some of the most efficient on the market and have a lengthy 25-year product warranty.
Evergen has HIES and EPVS Gold Standard accreditations, and it operates under the Trading Standard Approved Code, giving customers peace of mind when it comes to compliance and reliability. It was also a finalist at the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2023 and for the Maidenhead and Windsor Best Covid Bounce Back Award.
Evergen has a 4.2-star rating on Trustpilot, with 76 per cent of its customers awarding it four or five stars. That said, negative reviews mention the company’s poor customer service and some dissatisfaction with scaffolders.
“Billy and Adam were here on Thursday to install the system. Very quick and professional. Helped me to move things out of my garage so that they could route the cable from the circuit breaker and once they had finished helped me to put them back. Explained the app clearly. The system is up and running and generating more electricity than we need even on a dull day like today.” – Tony Bentley, May 2024
Read our full Evergen review.
Solarsense operates as a group of independent contractors who install and maintain solar panel systems, solar batteries, solar-powered hot water systems and EV chargers, as well as offering guidance to customers applying for solar panel grants. The company has a charity programme which carries out conservation projects across Asia, Africa and the UK, and it provided The Brightwell Charity with solar panels.
Solarsense isn’t committed to one particular brand of solar panel, but it offers products from Q Cells, Solis Solar and SolarEdge. If homeowners want a specific manufacturer, though, the company can accommodate those preferences.
Solarsense has a 3-star Trustpilot rating, but this score is based on just three customer reviews, including one that awarded the provider five stars. On review site GetAgent, Solarsense is awarded 4.5 stars, with 91 per cent of reviews being four and five stars.
“Solarsense fitted panels & a battery for me and I could not be more happy. The engineers who did the installation were polite, professional & efficient. I have dealt with loads of tradesmen and the guys from Solarsense were absolutely excellent and very respectful of my home. From the survey through to completion, Solarsense’s service was 1st class, highly recommended.” – D Houghton, January 2022
Read our full Solarsense review.
UPS Solar is a nationwide company that installs solar panels from Sharp, Q Cells and JA Solar, as well as batteries and inverters. It provides solar packages completely tailored to each customer’s home and covers ongoing maintenance costs, as well as a 10-year labour warranty, giving you complete peace of mind. We also love that UPS Solar commits to a deposit-free installation, which means you only pay once the job is complete.
UPS Solar holds accreditations from the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) and the MCS, and its installations are backed by the Independent Warranty Association. It also operates under the guidelines of the Trading Standard Approved Code.
UPS Solar is rated 4.8 stars on Trustpilot, with 90 per cent of customers awarding the company four or five stars. Many reviews highlight the company’s clear and prompt communication with customers.
“The service I have received from them has been nothing short of excellent. From quotation, installation and commissioning they have been really on the ball.
Whilst they may not be the cheapest in the marketplace, they are certainly the best. I would highly recommend them to anyone as their service is second to none. Very happy customer.” – Leslie Walters, September 2024
Although Sunsave was only founded in 2022, it has already made a name for itself in the solar industry. It specialises in solar power generation and storage and offers supply, installation, monitoring and maintenance of solar panels.
Sunsave Plus is a monthly subscription scheme that allows homeowners to access solar energy from just £69 per month, eliminating the upfront costs. The subscription even includes a free out-of-warranty replacement battery and inverter, which is particularly helpful as these have a shorter lifespan than solar panels.
Customers have awarded Sunsave 4.6 stars on Trustpilot, with 95 per cent being four or five-star reviews. To date, the company has replied to every negative review in the space of a few weeks.
“Sunsave exceeded my expectations in every way. From the initial quote to the final installation, their customer service was outstanding. They were incredibly responsive to all of my questions and concerns, and they kept me informed every step of the way. Their team was knowledgeable, efficient, and incredibly respectful of my property. I was particularly impressed with their attention to detail and commitment to ensuring my complete satisfaction. If you’re looking for a solar panel company that puts the customer first, look no further.” – Shiam Jaiprakash, May 2024
Read our full Sunsave review.
There are many benefits to hiring one of the UK’s best national solar panel installers over attempting a DIY installation or opting for a less experienced provider. Some advantages include:
When choosing a professional solar installer, you should be aware of a few red flags.
Solar panels are a long-term investment, so choosing the right installer from the outset can save you a lot of trouble down the line.
We surveyed over 1,500 Independent readers who own solar panels and asked them what factors they considered most important when choosing a company for their solar panel installation.
Although the cost of solar panels is important, don’t compromise on quality. High-quality panels and installations may cost more upfront but will be more efficient and last longer. It’s a good idea to request multiple quotes from different installers to effectively compare prices. Prioritise fixed-price quotes over variable rate quotes as these guarantee the figure you’re quoted won’t change.
Warranties are an indicator of a company’s faith in its products and services. There are three types of warranties to check for:
Product and performance warranties vary depending on the brand of solar panel. The best installers will take the time to explain the details of your panels’ warranties.
Certifications are a good way to determine whether an installer is competent and complies with industry standards. A few certifications to look out for include:
A solar installer’s experience directly impacts the efficiency, safety, and durability of your system. Companies with many years of experience tend to be more reliable as they have a stronger track record of installations. Reviewing a company’s portfolio and checking customer feedback on platforms like Trustpilot can provide insights into the quality of its service.
When choosing a solar panel installer, the time to installation is well worth considering because it determines how soon you can start enjoying the benefits of solar energy. A reliable installer should provide a clear and realistic schedule, ensuring timely completion without compromising on quality.
The brands of panels offered by the installer affect the quality, efficiency, and longevity of your solar system. Opting for an installer that provides reputable solar panel brands ensures better performance, reliability, and warranty coverage for your solar system.
Recommendations from previous customers offer first-hand insights into the installer’s reliability, quality of work and customer service, ensuring you select an installer who is trustworthy, competent, and has a good reputation.
“The best residential solar companies will design a system tailored to your unique energy needs. Avoid installers who oversell larger batteries than necessary; a 3kW battery is typically sufficient for most households. Battery storage can be increased later, avoiding unnecessary upfront costs.”
Jina Kwon, Otovo UK and Ireland General Manager
From your initial consultation to installation, the lead time will vary according to how busy the company is and whether the system components are in stock. Typically, a solar panel installation will take about two days, but there are several factors that could affect the timeframe:
“Everyone’s Energy calls me with the system details, including the number and orientation of the panels. As an experienced roofer, I inspect the roof for damage and address any tile issues with the customer before marking the system layout with chalk.
Hooks, rails, and clamps that attach the panels to the rails are installed. Then I assemble the solar kit on the roof, with the inverter in the garage or utility room if possible, as that tends to be cooler than a loft.
Installation takes one to three days, depending on the size of the project. After the installation, the system is inspected to ensure it meets safety codes, which can take a few days. Once approved and connected to the grid, your installer will activate the system, often by simply flipping a switch.”
Installing solar panels yourself might seem more economical, but the challenges and potential pitfalls can turn this into a risky, even dangerous, undertaking.
Fill in the simple form below to receive several free solar panel quotes. Make sure to compare and evaluate each installer’s cost, experience, and credentials; while some installers offer seasonal discounts, be cautious of pressure tactics like time-limited offers. Take your time to find an installer that fits your needs, and make the most of free consultations to clarify the process and ask any questions before committing.
Solar panel installation quotes usually include labour costs, so you won’t need to arrange that separately. Labour costs can vary, but rates typically range from £300 to £500 per day per technician. For reference, larger residential projects tend to require two installers over three days, so the cost would be between £1,800 and £3,000.
Yes, you need a professional for your installation to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant setup. Professional installers have the expertise to optimise energy production and offer warranties, protecting your investment and meeting regulatory requirements.
Not every electrician can install solar panels; installers should be certified under the MCS to ensure quality and compliance. This certification is also necessary if you’d like to benefit from the SEG scheme. Solar panel installation involves specialised skills beyond standard electrical work, such as roof mounting and connecting the system to the national grid.
In the UK, solar panel installations on residential properties usually don’t need planning permission, as they’re considered permitted development. Exceptions include listed buildings or properties in conservation areas. Always check with your local planning authority beforehand, and consult a professional solar installation company for guidance on regulatory requirements.
Yes. You do need to inform your electricity supplier if you installed solar panels so that it can account for any surplus energy you may export to the grid. You might also need to register your system with the distribution network operator. However, a reputable installer will do this for you.
Solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills and, in some cases, supply all the electricity your household needs. Moreover, you could even earn money by exporting surplus energy to the grid through the SEG scheme. But you may still need to draw power from the grid on cloudy days.
[1] Data from The MCS Data Dashboard, updated April 2024.
