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Project Solar’s catalogue currently contains its Evo Super Max 480 panels and integrated solar roof panels. Integrated solar roof panels, also called solar roof tiles or in-roof tiles, are applied directly to the roof battens, lying flush with the roof profile. This eliminates the need for mounting frames. This innovative system has helped Project Solar win several industry awards, giving them a solid reputation in the solar sector.
Our experts closely examine both, bringing you our expert analysis and comparing their performance with similar products, allowing you to choose the best solar panels for your home.
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Project Solar is well-established in the renewable energy sector, carrying out over 45,000 solar installations, preventing the release of 150,000 tonnes of carbon. It’s accredited by the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES), the Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS), the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Founded in 2011 by Gurmukh Singh Bahra, Project Solar has been steered by Simon Peat since 2012, later joined by Andrew Walton-Green and Colin Wood as directors in 2018.
Positioned in the heart of the Midlands, with another office in the Northwest, Project Solar caters to homeowners across the UK. It offers products from solar panels and roof tiles to electric vehicle chargers, infrared heaters, and intuitive heating controls.
It also won European/UK Invertor Installer of the Year from Growatt, Company of the Year at the Derby Telegraph Business Awards 2018, and is the exclusive installer of the Duracell Home Energy Bank solar battery. However, in 2022, Solar Power Portal reported that Project Solar was under investigation by trade bodies the MCS and NAPIT over the integrity of its mounting equipment. Our research suggests that formal proceedings have yet to be issued.
Project Solar ranks among the pricier manufacturers, with solar panel costs starting at £350. However, the company generally provides pricing based on a complete solar panel system rather than per individual panel.
Independent Advisor recently conducted a survey of 1,544 readers who had solar systems installed, and the results were:
Project Solar has discontinued many of its older panels, including the Evolution Elite 400, focusing instead on its Evolution Super Max 480W and roof-integrated solar panels. Project Solar’s prices are higher than its competitors for similar panels, at around £350 per panel.
Generally, to calculate the value for money of each solar panel, our experts multiplied the efficiency by the power output and divided that figure by the cost. This provides a measurable result for each solar panel. To find out more, read our article on how we review solar panels. However, due to the lack of transparency regarding the price range of Project Solar’s panels, our researchers have had to exclude the cost for this calculation.
✓ Efficiency of up to 22.18 per cent
✓ Up to 10 per cent more power per m2 compared with panels with similar power outputs
✓ Enhanced low-light performance
Project Solar’s Evolution 480 is a monocrystalline panel using Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) cell technology. PERC panels have an additional layer on the back, delivering six to 12 per cent more energy than conventional solar panels.
The panels can be integrated into a smart solar system, contain no fluorine and minimal lead material and have a sleek, ultra-black appearance.
The Evolution 480 panel has an efficiency of 22.18 per cent and a power output of 480W. This places it at the more premium end of the solar panel market.
Our experts compared the Evolution with other models offering similar performances and found that Project Solar’s panel is around £250 more expensive. While Project Solar’s Evo Super Max panel has a lower power output than both Jinko and JA Solar panels, the efficiency is similar.
| Panel name | Efficiency | Power output | Cost per panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo Super Max Series 480 | 22.18% | 480W | £350 |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 74HL4 | 23.4% | 605W | £100 |
| Longi Solar 500W Hi-Mo 5M | 21.5% | 500W | £145.20 |
| JA Solar JAM72S30 LR | 22.1% | 585W | £90 |
| Efficiency | ★★★★ |
| Power output | ★★★★ |
| Value for money (ExP/C) | N/A |
| Overall | ★★★★ |
The Evolution 480 is designed to be suitable for most property types, including shady roof spaces.
If your household only requires a small amount of electricity, the Evolution 480 might not be cost-effective. However, the high energy output and decent efficiency could allow you to sell any excess electricity to the National Grid, thus shortening the time to break even.
✓ Efficiency of up to 18.2 per cent
✓ Solar panels fit seamlessly with the roof profile
✓ Mounted directly to the roof battens, reducing mounting costs
Solar roof tiles represent an advanced renewable energy solution, blending solar panels’ environmental and money-saving benefits with a refined and discreet design.
The solar tiles interlock and are directly attached to the roof battens, eliminating the need for mounting rails.
This could be the perfect alternative for homeowners keen on producing their energy without the appearance of traditional solar panels on their rooftops. Additionally, solar roof tiles are often more favoured in conservation areas where maintaining a specific architectural style is essential.
While Project Solar’s roof tiles have a power output of only 125W per panel, due to their interconnected design, they take up less space than standard panels and, therefore, a bigger, more powerful system is possible. They have an efficiency of 18.2 per cent.
The cost of each Project Solar roof tile is only available by request. However, according to a report by Forbes, in-roof solar panels can cost up to 50 per cent more than standard PV modules due to the requirement for more tiles to produce the same amount of electricity.
Project Solar’s in-roof tiles are much smaller than in-roof panels from other manufacturers, meaning that both Longi and Viridian Solar have higher outputs and efficiencies, but may not be suitable for smaller roof spaces.
| Tile name | Efficiency | Power output | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Solar in-roof tiles | 18.2% | 125W | POA |
| Longi Roof 3.0 | 21.7% | 555W | POA |
| Viridian Solar Clearline Fusion M10 | 21.5% | 405W | POA |
| Efficiency | ★★★★ |
| Power output | ★★★ |
| Value for money (ExP/C) | ★★ |
| Overall | ★★★ |
If you are in the process of constructing a house or reroofing an existing property, in-roof tiles are a good option.
A solar roof tile system is more expensive and therefore has a far longer break-even point, so if you’re installing a PV system on a budget, standard panels may be more suitable.
Solar panel providers rarely appear on Trustpilot’s customer review site, however, Project Solar has been awarded 4.7 out of five stars. Of 5,137 reviews, 88 per cent give a four or five-star rating, with 11 per cent giving one or two stars.
Most reviews mention professional reps, good customer service and hassle-free installations, with Project Solar’s team responding promptly to every review. Conversely, some customers report problems with installations and a lack of communication from the company.
“Brilliant product, installation and most importantly aftercare.. Project solar were not the cheapest option but I would rather pay a little more for a professional service and peace of mind. Everything happened on the day it was supposed to and as planned. The system has been up and running now for a couple of months and it all appears to work as it should. Even on a very dull day my daily electricity charge is significantly reduced. The Fox battery pack and inverter work really well together and the larger than standard jet black solar panels look amazing and not like the usual eyesore! As mentioned the after care is brilliant. I went onto the manufacturers website to register the individual products to ensure I get the extended warranty only to find project solar had already done this for me. Top service…”
“Solar panels installed ok and working. Over five weeks on since installation and left with broken roof tiles and scaffolding still in the way. We have asked repeatedly for this to be sorted but lots of talk but no action so far. Disappointed with lack of professionalism in dealing with customers after installation.”
“We have been thoroughly impressed with the communication and service provided by Project Solar. They made sure we were very informed of the options, pros and cons and left us feeling very confident with our purchase. In particular, the speed at which the process progressed from the first survey at our house to the solar panels being fitted was excellent and we can’t believe they are up already!”
Project Solar’s Evo Super Max Series 480 is its featured panel, a competitive panel with a higher than average price of £350. It’s also one of the few solar companies to have a rating on Trustpilot.
As with other Project Solar products, the Evolution Elite 400 panel has a lifetime product warranty and an 85 per cent performance warranty. After 30 years, its performance warranty falls to 80 per cent, placing Project Solar above many other manufacturers, such as JA Solar, Longi, and Suntech.
It should be noted that while the Evolution Elite 400 is still available from some suppliers, Project Solar has discontinued its production.
