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If you feel ready to switch to solar panels but unsure where to find a good local installer, our guide breaks down exactly what you should look for and who you should choose.
The first and most important thing you should know is it absolutely does matter who installs them – this isn’t a DIY job. Your local solar panel installer ought to be someone trustworthy who knows exactly what they’re doing, considering you’ll be investing thousands of pounds in your new solar panel system. Fortunately, there are telltale signs that can help you figure out if a solar panel company or installer has the correct credentials and is well-suited to the job at hand. Our researchers have found the best regional installers for different areas of the UK, and we’ve also outlined what to consider before choosing a solar panel installer.
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To find the best regional solar panel installers, we considered what the most important feature would be for homeowners. Regardless of geographical location, the important factors for deciding which installer to choose are the same.
Your installer must be MCS-accredited. This is the most important factor, as it ensures the installer has the right knowledge to set up the system safely and correctly. It’s also wise to ensure your installer includes some type of warranty for the work they carry out; this way you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Although not crucial, opting for an installer who has been in the business for four or more years should ensure a good level of expertise. This is something we took into consideration when deciding which installers to include in our list.
| Solar panel installer | MCS-accredited | Installer warranty | Years in business | Regions served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Solar | ✓ | Lifetime guarantee | 22 years | Nationwide |
| Everyone’s Energy UK | ✓ | ✓ | 4 years | London and the South East |
| My Home Solar | ✓ | ✓ | 25 years | Southwest England |
| Home Renewable Scotland | ✓ | ✓ | 10 years | Edinburgh |
| Solar Installations Wales | ✓ | ✓ | 15 years | Cardiff |
| Sustainable Energy Engineering | ✓ | ✓ | 17 years | Northeast England |
| Edan Power | ✓ | ✓ | 11 years | Midlands |
| Solar Fix | ✓ | Two-year workmanship warranty | 20 years | Northern Ireland |
Everyone’s Energy is a London-based solar installation company that’s dedicated to providing affordable solar systems. The company has recently partnered up with Solar Together, a group buying scheme that allows households to take advantage of competitively priced solar panels and share the costs.
It prides itself in quick installations, and customers can benefit from its in-house warranty as well as the standard manufacturer guarantee.
Dorchester-based solar energy company My Home Solar provides solar panel and battery storage installation with full end-to-end services. The installer has a wide range of solar panels from trusted brands such as JA Solar and Q Cells.
My Home Solar is one of the best solar panel installers in the South West, with a price match promise and quick installation. Its team of professionals are well-equipped and can have your solar panels up and running within seven days of your order.
Home Renewables Scotland is based in Edinburgh, with a dedicated team of solar installers who are knowledgeable about solar PV. The company has more than 20 years of experience installing solar panels in Scotland and installed more than 800 solar PV systems in 2022. Customers benefit from its insurance-backed guarantee on all of its solar panel installations. The company offers a free, no-obligation consultation, keeping the ball firmly in your court.
Solar Installations Wales is a family-run business with 15 years of experience of providing solar panels in Wales. Its team of installers are MCS, RECC and National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) accredited. The company provides an end-to-end installation process and will also work out how much your solar system could generate in a year and your potential savings on energy bills.
Sustainable Energy Engineering is based in north England and offers a comprehensive solar panel installation service. The family-run business has more than 20 years of experience and is TrustMark registered, which means homeowners who are taking advantage of the UK’s solar incentives can use Sustainable Energy Engineering as their certified installed.
Edan Power has been installing solar panels in UK homes since 2010. The company provides customers with a free quotation and consultation before installation takes place. Edan Power provides expert advice relating to which size solar panel system suits your home and potential energy bill savings. Its installers are MCS-accredited and the company provides a product warranty.
The Solar Fix team has more than two decades of experience installing solar panels in Northern Ireland. The company focuses solely on solar PV installation, and its installers come with years of knowledge and experience.
Solar Fix has installed more than 1,000 systems and designs bespoke systems for its customers, to suit their household’s energy consumption.
When installing solar panels, it may seem simple, but it is not only an electrical installation. You really need to be sure that the installers have roofing experience, as the integrity of the roof needs to be checked to be sure that it is watertight, as well as robust enough to not only take the extra weight of the solar panels but also the wind lift, as this can very often be overlooked.
The position of the inverter (and battery) is important, as there will need to be wiring between the roof panels, the inverter and the main distribution board. The wiring installation can be a bit disruptive, so there may need to be some making good. Ask the installer where the wires will be routed and how discrete the installation will be.
If you are fitting a battery, then make sure that the battery has a good discharge rate. Larger capacity batteries usually have higher discharge rates, so you will be able to use a lot more of the stored energy. It is also worth checking whether the battery can be charged by the solar panels as well as off-peak electricity
Hiring a local company, rather than a national solar panel installer, comes with great benefits. Professional installers usually have years of experience of installing solar panels in homes and will be able to ensure your system is properly set up and maximised to generate solar energy.
Switching to solar energy comes with a number of benefits for UK homeowners, the main one being saving money on energy bills. If your solar panels are poorly installed, you won’t reap the full benefits.
You might be asking: “How do I choose a reputable solar panel installer near me?” This is a question that can be answered by following our simple checklist of what your installer should have.
Below is a list of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best solar panels from local installers:
It’s crucial that your solar panel installer has the right certifications, but what are they?
If your installer is accredited by, or a member of, one of these organisations or schemes, then you’re on the right track:
It should come as no surprise that your solar panel installer must have some experience, but how much?
The recommended number of years for your installer to have under their belt is around five years, though this is just a guide, rather than a foolproof figure.
It’s best if the company has already installed the following:
The cost of installing solar panels will vary between households and is largely affected by system size and if there are any mitigating circumstances that could drive up costs. When considering solar panel cost, it’s advisable to gather multiple quotes from varying installers and compare them, to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Like with most big purchases, solar panel installations usually come with a warranty. Here’s what you should know:
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of what to look for when choosing an installer, where should you look?
The best way to find a solar panel installer near you is:
Get solar panel quotes in your area
Discover how much solar panels would cost for your home by answering a few quick questions
Solar panel installation can take on average around two days to complete, though the exact timeline will depend on your individual circumstances.
Factors affecting installation time include:
As previously mentioned, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a solar panel installer. This also highlights why you should never attempt to install solar panels yourself. Not only can it be dangerous, it could also mean your warranty is invalidated.
Why are DIY solar panels a bad idea?
Though it may seem like DIY solar panels could save you money on installation costs, that is far from true. Installing solar panels yourself risks damaging your home, which may result in repair costs. By not choosing an MCS-accredited installer, you may invalidate your solar panel warranty. Solar systems that are not installed by MCS installers are not eligible for the SEG scheme, which is how homeowners earn money back from their solar panels, by selling surplus renewable energy back to the grid.
One of the reasons many people consider DIY installations is to try to reduce the initial cost, along with cheap solar panels. However, cheap isn’t always the best way to go, as less expensive panels might not produce enough energy to power your home, and they often have very short warranties. A good installer will be able to help you find the best panels for your home that are within your budget.
By hiring a solar panel installer, you’ll earn money from your solar system via SEG payments, see a reduction in your energy bills, and become less reliant on grid energy.
As well as following our tips for finding the best regional solar panel installers, there are a few other things you can do to ensure you’re making good decisions.
It’s important to note that, even if a friend or family member has referred you to a certain installer, you must still carry out the necessary checks for credentials and certificates. Remembering to carefully consider their experience, cost and warranty and weighing this up against reviews or referrals is the best way to choose.
When considering which solar panel installer to choose, it can be helpful to shop around. Compare quotes before making any hasty decisions.
Compare at least three quotes, and consider cost, experience and credentials. It’s important to never go with the first quote because you’ll never know if it’s a good deal or not.
Take your time choosing. Don’t be scared by sales tactics. If an installer attempts to lure you into a quick decision by insisting they have a limited-time deal, do not buy into it. There are lots of installers available, and lots of good deals to be had.
As well as comparing quotes, you should utilise consultations. These should be free. A solar panel consultation can help explain the installation process and gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have.
The average three-bedroom UK home requires a 4kW solar panel system, and this costs on average £5,500, including the system and labour costs. Installing solar panels can help homeowners achieve lower energy bills and cut their carbon footprint by up to 1 tonne per year per solar panel system.
Installing solar panels takes around two days, on average. The exact number of days it takes to install will vary between households, and system size will also affect the process. If your roof is inaccessible in any way, this could also add time to the solar panel installation time.
Yes, there are solar panel grants and incentives available in the UK. The ECO4 scheme helps homeowners who are already entitled to benefits, while the zero VAT scheme has completely cut VAT on all solar products. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to sell surplus solar energy back to the National Grid.
It’s best to begin by asking for their credentials, including if they are MCS-accredited. It’s advantageous for a solar panel installer to have a number of years of experience, which you can ask about. You might also wish to ask about the installation process itself and how long roughly the installer thinks it will take. Cost is also something you’ll want to ask at the beginning of the process; the installer should be able to provide you with a free quote.
