When you request a solar panel quote in the UK, you will be asked about your roof, your electricity use, and whether you want to add battery storage or EV charging. A good installer uses this to design a system specific to your property, then gives you a written proposal showing the components, the cost, and a generation estimate calculated to MCS standards. You are under no obligation at that stage. The quote is a starting point for a conversation, not a contract.
Solar is one of the largest purchases most homeowners make outside of the house itself, which means the quoting process matters. A well-run quote leaves you clearer than when you started: you understand how a system would work on your specific roof, what the costs include, and what happens if you decide to go ahead. A poorly run one leaves you with a headline figure, an aggressive follow-up, and little idea whether the numbers stacked up or not.
This guide covers every stage of the process in plain language: what to prepare, what a surveyor actually assesses, how to read the figures you receive, what a like-for-like comparison looks like, and what the warning signs are that should make you pause. We also explain what the MCS certificate issued at the end of installation actually unlocks for you financially, because most homeowners do not find out about this until after the work is done.
Before you start: what information you need ready
You do not need to be an expert before requesting a quote. But having a few details to hand will make the initial conversation faster and the resulting estimate more accurate.
The most useful things to know are your annual electricity consumption (in kilowatt-hours, found on any energy bill or your in-home display), your tariff structure (standard, Economy 7, or a time-of-use tariff like Octopus Go), whether you own the property, and a rough sense of your roof: which direction it faces, roughly what pitch it is at, and whether there is any obvious shading from trees, chimneys, or neighbouring buildings.
You do not need to measure anything yourself. A competent installer will check all of this independently at survey stage. But the more accurately you can describe your situation upfront, the more useful an initial proposal will be.
If you have already had an EV charger installed, or plan to get one, mention this early. It affects system sizing recommendations significantly. Similarly, if you want battery storage, say so at the start: a hybrid inverter suitable for battery connection costs more than a standard string inverter, and a quote built around a battery-ready setup looks different from a solar-only proposal. Furthermore if you are subject to regular power cuts adding whole home back up to your quotation is beneficial, so you can seamlessly switch to using battery power when you lose power from the grid.
How the initial quote is put together
Most installers now offer two routes to an initial proposal: an online tool or a direct conversation. Both are valid starting points with different trade-offs.
Online quote builders
A good online tool uses your address to pull satellite roof data, then models likely system output using your roof’s orientation, pitch, and local solar irradiance data. Our online quote builder works this way: enter your property details and current electricity use, and it produces an indicative system design with estimated costs and a breakdown of what is included. This takes around five minutes and gives you a solid reference point before speaking to anyone.
Online tools are accurate enough for early-stage planning. They cannot replace a physical survey, because they cannot assess roof condition, structural load capacity, the exact location of your consumer unit, or the most practical cable route from panels to meter. Those details come later. The purpose of an online quote is to give you a sensible ballpark and help you decide whether the conversation is worth having.
Conversations with an installer’s team
A phone or video call with an experienced installer covers more ground than an online tool because it is two-way. You can describe your situation and ask questions, and a knowledgeable installer will anticipate the follow-ups: battery options, EV integration, how roof shading affects output, and what the installation itself looks like from a homeowner’s point of view. We handle this at our base in Tilford, Farnham, serving Surrey, Hampshire and the wider South East, and we are accustomed to the specific planning and roof characteristics of properties in this area, including those in AONB-designated areas where permitted development questions sometimes arise.
Neither route commits you to anything. The commitment only comes when you sign an installation agreement, typically after a survey visit has confirmed the final system design.
What the survey visit actually assesses
The survey visit is the most important stage in the quoting process, and it is the one most homeowners understand least. It is not a sales call. It is a technical assessment that determines whether the system proposed in your initial quote is actually the right one for your property.
A qualified surveyor will assess the following areas.
Roof structure and condition
Panels are fixed to your roof for 25 years or more. The structure beneath them needs to be in sound condition and able to carry the load. A standard solar panel weighs roughly 20 to 22kg; a six-panel array adds around 130 to 150kg to the roof structure including the mounting system. For most modern tiled roofs this is straightforward. For older properties, outbuildings, or roofs with existing repairs, the surveyor will flag any structural concerns before any system is designed around them. If there is any doubt, a structural engineer’s assessment may be needed before installation can proceed, and a responsible installer will say so.
Roof orientation, pitch, and shading
The surveyor will confirm the precise orientation of each roof face and assess shading using either physical tools or design software. Under MCS installation standard MIS 3002, shading must be formally assessed and factored into the generation estimate. This means a responsible quote cannot simply ignore the tree that shades your roof from 2pm onwards in summer: the shading loss must be quantified and reflected in the expected output figures. If a quote does not mention shading at all on a roof with visible obstructions, that is worth questioning.
Electrical infrastructure
The surveyor checks your consumer unit, the earthing and bonding arrangements, and whether any upgrades are needed before the solar system can be safely connected. They also identify the most practical cable route from the roof to the consumer unit. In most domestic installs this is straightforward, but older properties or those with complex layouts sometimes need additional electrical work. The survey is where this gets identified and costed, not after installation has started.
Consumer unit and DNO requirements
All grid-connected solar systems require formal notification to your local distribution network operator (DNO). Smaller systems, typically under 3.68kW per phase, follow the G98 notification process. Larger or more complex installs require prior approval under G99. We handle whichever process applies as part of every installation. The surveyor will confirm which applies to your system at this stage.
An online estimate uses average assumptions for your roof. The survey replaces those assumptions with your actual conditions: the confirmed orientation, the measured shading, the specific inverter and panel configuration. The generation estimate in your final quote is based on your property, not a template. That is why final quotes sometimes differ from online estimates, and why the difference is usually legitimate rather than a bait-and-switch.
How to read the savings figures in a solar quote
This is where most homeowners feel uncertain, and it is where the solar industry has done itself the most damage by presenting vague or over-optimistic numbers.
A credible UK quote calculates system performance using MCS standards, specifically MIS 3002 for generation estimates and MCS MGD 003 for self-consumption modelling. These are the recognised calculation methods in the UK, used across all MCS-certified installers. What this means in practice is that the generation figure in your quote should reflect your actual roof conditions: its orientation, pitch, shading, and location’s solar irradiance data.
The savings figure is where assumptions vary more. How much you save depends on:
- How much electricity you currently use, and when you use it. A household that uses most electricity during the day (working from home, for instance) self-consumes more solar generation and saves proportionally more.
- Your current tariff. The saving per unit of self-consumed solar is the rate you would otherwise pay to import from the grid. As of March 2026, typical unit rates sit around 24p to 26p per kWh, though this varies by supplier and tariff.
- What you export. Surplus generation exported to the grid earns you export payments under the Smart Export Guarantee, but current rates from most eligible suppliers sit between 5p and 15p per kWh, significantly lower than the import rate. This is why battery storage improves financial returns for households with significant daytime surplus: you use more of what you generate rather than selling it cheaply.
- Future electricity prices. No one can guarantee these. Quotes that present a single “you will save £X per year” figure as a certainty are using assumptions that may not hold. The more honest framing is a range based on plausible price scenarios, which is what we use.
When you receive a quote, ask the installer to show you the assumptions behind the savings figure. If they cannot or will not, that is a problem. The numbers should be traceable back to real inputs: your consumption, your tariff, your roof’s calculated output.
What a solar panel quote should contain
A written quote from a credible MCS-certified installer should cover all of the following. If any of these are missing, ask for them before you compare figures between installers, because comparing quotes without like-for-like components is not a comparison.
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| System size (kWp) | Total capacity of the array. Make sure quotes you are comparing use the same or similar size. |
| Panel brand and model | Specific make and model, not just “high efficiency panels”. Look for the product warranty (usually 12 to 25 years) and performance warranty (usually 25 years). |
| Inverter make and model | String, hybrid, or microinverter type. Hybrid inverters allow battery storage; string inverters do not without additional hardware. |
| Battery (if applicable) | Usable capacity in kWh, peak charge and discharge rate in kW, cycle warranty (usually 6,000 to 10,000 cycles or a throughput figure). Usable capacity matters more than headline capacity. |
| Generation estimate (kWh/year) | Should be calculated to MCS MIS 3002 standard, with shading accounted for. Ask what assumptions were made. |
| Self-consumption estimate | What proportion of your generation you are expected to use directly, based on your consumption profile. |
| Scaffolding | Is it included or priced separately? For most pitched-roof installs, scaffolding is required and can add £600 to £1,200 depending on access and roof height. |
| DNO notification or application | G98 notification or G99 application, handled by the installer. Should be included in the price. |
| Electrical parts, cabling, and accessories | All materials required to connect the system to your consumer unit. Must be specified as included. |
| MCS certificate | Issued on completion. Required for Smart Export Guarantee applications. Confirm this is included. |
| Workmanship warranty | How long the installer guarantees their own work, separate from product warranties. Should be at least two years; five or more is better. |
Costs for a solar-only system in 2026 typically range from £5,000 to £9,000 for a 3 to 6kWp domestic array depending on system size, roof complexity, component choice, and scaffolding requirements, based on current MCS installation data. Adding battery storage typically adds £2,500 to £6,500 depending on capacity and brand. These figures serve as a sanity check, not a target: two quotes at the same price can represent very different systems, and one quote significantly below the market range is worth scrutinising for what it excludes.
How to compare quotes from different installers
Comparing solar quotes is harder than comparing most purchases because so many variables can differ between proposals. The approach that protects you is to build a like-for-like framework before you compare figures.
Confirm you are comparing the same system size
Two quotes showing different kWp figures are not comparable. If one installer proposes a 4kWp system and another proposes 5kWp, the price difference is partly just panel count. Ask each installer to explain their sizing recommendation and whether a different size would be appropriate for your property.
Check whether scaffolding is included
Scaffolding is one of the most common sources of surprise costs. Some installers include it; others list it as a provisional sum or leave it out of the headline figure. Check explicitly on every quote you receive.
Look at the inverter type, not just the brand
A hybrid inverter (battery-ready) and a string inverter (solar-only) are not directly comparable on price. If you plan to add a battery later, a hybrid inverter now avoids the cost of replacing equipment. If you are certain you will never add storage, a string inverter is the more cost-effective choice. The quote should match your actual plans.
Check the generation estimate is based on your roof
If the generation figure in two quotes differs significantly for the same system size on the same roof, ask both installers how they calculated it. One may be using a standard template; the other may have factored in your actual shading and orientation. A higher generation estimate is not always better: it may simply be less accurate.
Compare warranty terms, not just durations
Panel warranties are typically split into a product warranty (covering defects) and a performance warranty (guaranteeing output above a minimum percentage over time). Most quality panels now carry a 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing output of at least 80 to 84% of rated power. Inverter warranties are typically 5 to 12 years with extension options. Your installer’s workmanship warranty covers their installation, separate from the product warranties. Make sure all three are specified in writing.
Red flags worth knowing before you start
The solar industry has a well-documented problem with high-pressure sales tactics, inflated savings claims, and quotes that look cheap because they exclude essential items. These are the specific things to watch for.
Pressure to sign on the day, or discounts that expire. RECC’s consumer code explicitly prohibits high-pressure selling techniques by member installers. Any quote described as valid only for today, or where the price drops significantly when you hesitate, should be treated with caution. A well-designed solar system at a fair price will still exist tomorrow.
Savings figures without stated assumptions. If a quote presents a single annual savings figure without explaining what electricity price, tariff, or consumption it assumed, you cannot verify it or compare it to another quote. Responsible installers show their working. If savings are described as “guaranteed,” that is factually incorrect and a sign of either poor training or deliberate misleading: savings depend on your consumption, your tariff, and future electricity prices, none of which any installer controls.
No mention of DNO notification. Every grid-connected solar system in the UK requires formal DNO notification or approval. If a quote makes no reference to this, ask whether it is included. If it is not, ask why.
Panels or inverters not named. A quote that describes “high-performance solar panels” without naming the brand and model cannot be meaningfully compared to one that specifies exactly what hardware is being installed. You are entitled to know what you are buying.
No discussion of shading. If your roof has any shading from trees, chimneys, aerials, or neighbouring buildings and the installer has not mentioned this, either they have not assessed it properly or they are choosing not to, because accounting for shading reduces the generation estimate and therefore makes the savings look worse. A thorough installer names shading and explains how the system design addresses it.
Non-MCS certified installer. MCS certification is the UK industry standard for solar PV installation. It is also a condition of eligibility for Smart Export Guarantee payments. An installer without MCS certification cannot issue you an MCS certificate on completion, which means you cannot register for export payments. You can verify MCS status for any UK installer via the MCS certified installer search.
What RECC and TrustMark membership means for you
These two schemes come up repeatedly in installer credentials, but most homeowners do not know exactly what they provide.
RECC (the Renewable Energy Consumer Code) is a government-backed consumer protection code overseen by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. Established in 2006, it sets binding standards for how member installers handle marketing, quoting, deposits, contracts, and aftercare. Critically, RECC prohibits high-pressure sales tactics and requires that consumers are given time to consider a proposal before signing. It also includes deposit protection and workmanship warranty insurance if an installer ceases trading. If something goes wrong that cannot be resolved directly with the installer, RECC provides a free dispute resolution service. You can verify any installer’s RECC membership via the RECC member directory on their website.
TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality scheme that covers a range of trades, including solar PV. TrustMark-registered businesses are assessed against quality standards and must carry appropriate insurance. The scheme exists to give homeowners confidence in tradespeople carrying out work on their property. Like RECC, you can verify a firm’s TrustMark registration directly through the TrustMark website.
We hold both RECC membership and TrustMark registration, and both are publicly verifiable. We are also MCS-certified and NICEIC-certified for our electrical work. Our accreditations page covers all of these in more detail, including what each one protects you against in practice.
What the MCS certificate unlocks after installation
The MCS certificate is one of the most practically important documents you receive at the end of an installation, and it is one most homeowners do not fully understand before they start.
When a qualified MCS-certified installer completes your solar installation, they register it on the MCS database and issue you a certificate. This document confirms that the system was designed and installed to MCS standards using MCS-certified products. It is not just a piece of paper: it is what you present when applying to an eligible energy supplier for Smart Export Guarantee payments.
The Smart Export Guarantee is the government-backed scheme under which energy suppliers pay you for electricity you export to the grid. As of March 2026, export rates from eligible suppliers range from around 5p to 15p per kWh. Without an MCS certificate, you cannot register for these payments regardless of how much surplus energy your system exports. This is one practical reason why using a non-MCS installer is not simply a quality question: it has a direct financial cost.
Your MCS certificate is also what you provide to warranty providers for any product warranties registered on completion. Keep it safe, along with all other documentation provided at handover: the electrical installation certificate, operating manuals, and any monitoring app login details.
VAT and the current financial case for acting now
Two financial points are worth understanding before you commit to a timeline.
Domestic solar panel installations in Great Britain currently attract 0% VAT on qualifying systems. This relief applies to supply and installation by an MCS-certified installer and currently runs until 31 March 2027, at which point it is subject to government review. You can confirm the current position via HMRC Notice 708/6. Our quotes reflect the applicable rate at the time of issue.
Electricity prices have been volatile since 2021 and remain significantly higher than their pre-2022 levels. Ofgem’s April 2026 price cap adjustment brought unit rates down modestly from the previous quarter, but the structural argument for solar remains: every unit you generate and use yourself is a unit you do not buy from the grid. The financial case for solar is not dependent on electricity prices continuing to rise, but the payback period improves if they do. Our solar panel ROI guide covers payback periods, net return, and the variables that affect your actual savings in more detail.
What happens after you say yes
Once you accept a quote and sign an installation agreement, the process from there is predictable and well-defined for any competent installer.
We submit the DNO notification or G99 application, depending on your system. We confirm your installation date and explain what to expect on the day: how many engineers, roughly how long it takes, where access is needed, and what the site looks like by the time we leave. Most domestic solar installations take one to two days. We commission the system before leaving, walk you through your monitoring app, and explain what normal performance looks like across the seasons.
At handover you receive: your MCS certificate, the electrical installation certificate, all product warranties, operating manuals, and monitoring login details. These documents are your proof of installation and your route to SEG registration. Do not let them go missing.
Aftercare is part of how we work. If your output looks unusual, if you want to understand your monitoring data, or if you decide to add battery storage or an EV charger later, you can contact us and you will speak to someone who knows your system. We install battery storage from brands including Fox ESS, GivEnergy, and Sigenergy, and EV charging points including Zappi and Project EV, so expanding your system after the initial install is something we handle regularly.
Finance options
If paying upfront does not work for you, finance may be available. Viable Power Solutions Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited, an FCA-authorised credit broker. Finance is subject to status; eligibility and terms are confirmed by the broker. We can explain how the process works and what documentation is typically required, but the credit decision rests with the lender.
Ready to see what solar could look like on your property?
Use our free online quote builder for an indicative system design and cost based on your actual roof and usage. No obligation, no pressure, and no hidden costs in the figures you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get for solar panels?
Getting two or three quotes is a reasonable approach. It gives you enough comparison data to sense-check pricing and component choices without becoming unmanageable. The more important step is knowing how to compare them, because quotes that look similar on price can vary considerably in system design, component quality, what is included, and the warranties offered. Use the checklist in this guide to build a like-for-like comparison before you compare figures.
How long does a solar panel quote take?
An online quote builder takes five to ten minutes and gives you an indicative proposal immediately. A phone call with an installer’s team typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. The survey visit, where an engineer visits your property to confirm the final system design, usually takes one to two hours. After the survey, you should receive a confirmed written quote within a few days.
Is a solar panel quote free?
Yes, for any reputable installer. An initial proposal and survey visit should cost nothing. You are under no obligation to proceed until you have signed an installation agreement. Be cautious of any installer who charges for a survey visit or requires an upfront commitment before they will provide figures.
What is the MCS certificate and why does it matter?
The MCS certificate is issued on completion of your installation by your MCS-certified installer. It confirms the system was designed and installed to MCS standards using certified products. It is a condition of eligibility for Smart Export Guarantee payments, which pay you for electricity you export to the grid. Without it, you cannot register for these payments. It is also required by most product warranty providers and should be retained with your other installation documents. You can verify an installer’s MCS certification before commissioning via the MCS certified installer search.
What does a solar panel quote include?
A complete quote from an MCS-certified installer should specify the panel brand and model, inverter type and model, system size in kWp, a generation estimate calculated to MCS MIS 3002 standard, a breakdown of costs covering panels, inverter, mounting, cabling, and labour, scaffolding (included or priced separately), DNO notification or application, and workmanship warranty terms. If any of these are missing, ask for them before you compare the quote against others.
What is a reasonable payback period for solar panels in 2026?
Payback periods vary considerably depending on system size, installation cost, your electricity consumption, your tariff, and whether you add battery storage. For a well-sized system installed at current market rates, payback periods of 8 to 12 years are commonly quoted, though homes with high daytime electricity use and good south-facing roofs often see faster returns. Quotes presenting payback periods significantly shorter than this range deserve scrutiny about the assumptions behind the savings calculation. Our solar panel ROI guide covers the variables in detail.
Do I need planning permission to install solar panels?
For most homeowners in England, solar panel installation falls under permitted development rights and does not require a planning application. Exceptions apply for listed buildings, conservation areas, national parks, and AONBs, all of which are common across Surrey and Hampshire. The Planning Portal guidance on solar equipment sets out the conditions. If your property falls into an exception category, we flag this during survey and advise on the correct approach. The planning decision rests with your local planning authority, not us.
What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
The right route depends on the nature of the problem. Product defects (panel failure, inverter fault) are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Installation workmanship issues are covered by the installer’s workmanship warranty. If a dispute cannot be resolved directly with the installer, RECC members are subject to formal dispute resolution through RECC. TrustMark registration also provides a route to complaint handling. Using an installer who holds both protections means you have multiple avenues if something does not go as expected. We hold RECC membership and TrustMark registration, both of which are publicly verifiable.
Can I add battery storage after the initial installation?
Yes, in most cases. If your original installation included a hybrid inverter, adding a compatible battery is relatively straightforward. If a standard string inverter was installed, adding battery storage may require an additional inverter or storage unit depending on the battery brand and the system design. The most cost-effective approach is to specify at the initial quote stage whether you want battery storage now or are likely to want it in the future, so the inverter choice reflects your plans. Our battery storage page covers the options and how to assess whether adding storage makes financial sense for your usage pattern.
