Which companies install solar panels in the UK and what are the major differences between them? We explore the best solar panel installers.
Are you thinking of having new solar panels installed?
...great choice!
Wondering who you'll trust to install them?
...hard choice!
…unless someone on a bicycle holding a screwdriver comes up and offers to install them - that’s an easy “no”. If you’d like to know who actually installs solar panels in the UK and more importantly who has the best reputation, you're in the right place.
Here we will explore the best solar panel companies in the UK...
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
Best Solar Installers Key Points:
Government-accredited schemes, such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), can help identify qualified installers (like ourselves).
Remember that your installer must be MCS accredited in order for you to qualify for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.
Third-party review platforms can also be helpful in identifying companies with the best reputations e.g. Trustpilot.
Warranty length and quality - check if the company offer a warranty, the length and what is included.
Very few companies operate nationwide - Heatable does and will install solar practically anywhere.
Very few companies offer fixed, online pricing (we do) - get your quote here.
Best Solar Panel Companies Comparison Table:
Installer/Company: | Heatable | Project Solar | Solar Fast | Everyone's Energy LTD |
Nationwide Coverage? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Workmanship Warranty? | 24 months | - | - | - |
Fixed online pricing? | Yes | No | No | No |
Insurance Backed? | Yes | - | - | - |
Customer Rating? | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
MCS Accredited? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Number of Reviews | 7,400 | 1,436 | 539 | 112 |
Year Founded | 2017 | 2011 | 2006 | 2019 |
Based In? | Warrington | Burton Upon Trent | Castleford | Harlow |
Table last updated: July 2024.
How Did We Select the Best Solar Panel Companies?
To determine which are the best solar panel installers in 2024, we considered the following factors:
Previous experience with the solar installation company/installer
Customer reviews e.g. Trustpilot - we did not include companies with an average score of less than 4 stars
Membership and certification with key industry bodies e.g. MCS accreditation and The Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES)
Whether the company offers nationwide or regional coverage
The warranty and aftercare offered by the solar company
PS For full transparency we have included ourselves in the list, but you can compare what we offer with other companies and judge for yourself.
Still learning about solar panels? Explore our helpful guides on various topics, including solar panel grants, payback periods, the mechanics of solar energy, determining the number of panels you need, and solar car charging solutions.
Best Solar Panel Installers in the UK
So, what installers, in particular, should you consider?
Obviously, this would depend on where you live but there are very few notable installers who offer services throughout the entire country (we offer Nationwide solar installation).
Here are some of our favourite solar panel installers with the region they apply to in brackets:
Heatable (Nationwide coverage)
Project Solar (England, Scotland, and Wales).
Greener Energy Group (Scotland).
Clever Energy Boilers (North England).
City Energy Network (Wales).
Solum GB (South England).
Solar Panel Installers London (London).
The Eco Roof and Wall Company (Midlands).
UK Solar Power (N/A).
Solar4good UK Ltd (N/A).
Solar Engineering Ltd (N/A).
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
Common Mistakes When Hiring a Solar Panel Installer
While there are criteria a solar panel installer should ideally meet, there are other negative aspects to look out for. After all, you’re paying someone to walk around on your roof to install high-tech equipment - you’re not just ordering pizza.
Here are some mistakes that households often make when looking for a tradesperson or company to install solar panels:
Only looking at their pricing
When hiring a solar panel installer, you want to look at more than just their cost.
Yes, the price they offer is important, but value for money is even more important. If you were ordering pizza, you wouldn’t eat a suspiciously cheap one, either.
The only way to determine roughly how much bang for your buck any given installer will offer is to weigh up various aspects of the installer in question (e.g., their past experience and memberships).
Relying too much on review sites
Review sites can be helpful, but you shouldn’t rely on them too much. Remember that much like voting, anyone can write a review. It’s best to source information on solar panel installers from a range of companies.
Ideally, if you know someone who has worked with a particular installer in the past, you could ask them for their opinion.
Not spending enough time looking around
It’s possible that the first installer you come across online looks like they’ll do the job just fine (and that may be true), but we still recommend looking around.
You should weigh up at least three options before making a decision as this way you’ll have better chances of ensuring the best value for money possible.
Forgetting to use a checklist
When considering a solar panel installer, we suggest writing up a checklist. This way, you know what you’re actually looking for while doing that looking around.
Aside from including the various points and checkboxes we’ve touched on today, you should factor in your own parameters (e.g., the range of your budget and anything else specific to your installation).
Check our guide on debunking solar panel myths.
Buying into hard-sell tactics
Don’t fall for what is called hard sell tactics.
Hard selling involves being pushy and assertive so you’re more likely to make an impulsive purchasing decision out of pressure. Solar panels aren’t made for impulsive buys (and the sun will still be there tomorrow).
Not only is this something you’d want to avoid in itself, but the consumer code (which all qualified installers must follow) states that companies that sell solar panels shouldn’t employ hard-sell tactics.
So, if an installer or company is being pushy, push back and go with another option, like an online provider.
Being online only, we don’t send any sales representatives into homes who are generally paid high commissions for sales. This is why our prices are so competitive.
We have also reviewed the best solar panels and covered how long solar panels last in the UK.
Do they Offer Fixed Price Solar Quotes?
Solar panel installations can be complex and involve multiple trades e.g. scaffolding. Material prices are also very volatile.
Many solar companies also employ middlemen e.g. sales representatives that are on high commissions, which are added to the final price/quote. That’s right, sales representatives are not simply charitable workers.
Heatable is different, we offer fixed prices will every solar installation and since we buy our products directly via our exclusive deals with REA Power Ltd we protect consumers against such price volatility. If only we could have done the same with your groceries…
The best part is that you can get a fixed price quote now, online, customised to your exact location and property.
We aren't aware of any reputable competitor that offers the same.
Solar Panel Finance Options
There is no doubt that domestic solar PV installation is a large investment and not all consumers are lucky enough to have the cash set aside. And not even all lottery winners opt to use their cash flow to go solar.
Thankfully, there are financing options available, yet not all companies offer low-rate finance solutions for solar panel installations, but we do.
Heatable offers low rates and applications can be done online, paid off early and all agreements are FCA regulated.
*All credit is subject to status.
Prefer video? Check out our review of the REA solar panels in the video below:
Who Can Install Solar Panels?
Solar panel installation is not a DIY task, so you will need assistance from the experts. It’s probably best if you’re not around at all.
At the very minimum, the company or installer should use qualified electricians and if they are working at a height e.g. installing solar panels on the roof, they should also be trained and use the necessary safety equipment e.g. scaffolding. Also, it’s best if they don’t have a fear of heights.
However, if you intend on selling excess energy from your solar system to the National Grid (via the Smart Export Guarantee), then they will also need to be MCS accredited.
In general, we would advise anyone looking to have solar installed to use companies that meet the minimum criteria:
Be an MCS-accredited solar installation company
Have excellent reviews from previous customers - you can verify this on platforms like Trustpilot
Have a good volume of reviews - the more the better
Operating for a good amount of time - a company that has been operating for several years shows a proven track record
What warranty do they offer? - Heatable offers a 24-month workmanship warranty (that is also insurance-backed)
What should you know before buying solar? Have a flat roof? Read all about flat roof solar and if you have a conservatory, it is possible to have solar on a conservatory roof too.
Who Installs Solar Panels in the UK?
There are several companies and professionals in the UK who can install solar panels.
Here are the main options:
Solar panel installation companies: There are many solar companies dedicated to solar panel installations across the UK. Notable companies include Solarcentury, British Solar Renewables, EvoEnergy, and SolarTech.
Local electricians: Many electricians have diversified their services to include solar panel installations. You can search for qualified electricians in your area who offer solar panel installation services (but remember if they are not MCS accredited, you will not be eligible for SEG payments).
Renewable energy companies: Numerous renewable energy companies offer solar installations. Companies like Ecotricity, Good Energy, and Octopus Energy.
Energy efficiency organisations: Notable energy efficiency and renewable energy organisations may be able to help. They often have experienced professionals who can install solar panels. For example, the Energy Saving Trust provides information on reputable installers in the UK.
When choosing an installer, it's crucial to consider their experience, certifications, customer reviews, and warranties.
Additionally, you may want to request quotes from multiple installers to compare prices and services.
How Long Does It Take To Install Solar Panels?
Depending on the number of solar panels you want to have installed and how fast your installer can climb up the scaffolding, the process generally takes one to two days.
However, it would depend on a range of factors including:
The number of solar panels you’d like to install.
How many tradespeople are on the job (i.e., one or two).
The type of roof you have - it’s why Saint Paul’s Cathedral still doesn’t have solar on its dome.
How accessible your roof area is and the condition of your roof.
The type of solar panels you want to have installed.
Of course, the longer it takes to install solar panels the higher the labour costs will likely be.
Therefore, if you haven’t decided on what panels to go with yet, you should take this on board if your budget is tight.
With that said the standalone or supply costs of solar panels tend to be a larger overall cost factor than the price of labour.
How To Find Solar Panel Installers Near Me
There are several approaches you can take, including:
Ask friends, family, work colleagues, and neighbours for their advice.
Simply Googling ‘Solar panel installers near me’.
Contact one of the ‘top solar panel installers in the UK’ that we listed above, if they are based in your area, of course. You can find their contact details on their websites.
Once you’ve found several solar panel installers/installation companies, you could narrow them down further (and hopefully to just one) by using the criteria mentioned earlier in this guide. Or your own criteria, if you think you know better.
Also, before hiring an installer, don’t forget to consider aspects such as where your solar panels should be installed (e.g., on the back of your roof, the side of your roof or even on the surface level of your property).
If in doubt, you could consult with a professional before they get around to installing your panels.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.
Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.
Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
