How to Get Solar Panel Quotes in the UK: What to Look For

Getting solar panel quotes in the UK is the most important step in your solar journey — and the one where most people go wrong. Comparing quotes purely on total price misses critical differences in panel quality, inverter specification, warranty terms, and what is actually included in the installation. This guide walks you through how many quotes to get, what a legitimate quote must contain, how to spot red flags from less reputable installers, and the questions to ask before signing anything.

How Many Solar Quotes Should You Get?

Get at least three quotes — and ideally four or five if your installation is complex (large system, shaded roof, flat roof, or heritage property). The solar installation market in the UK varies significantly in price and quality, and a single quote gives you no benchmark to judge against. Three quotes let you identify outliers — both suspiciously cheap and potentially overpriced — and compare specifications side by side.

Do not rely on price comparison websites that use referral lead generation. These typically pass your details to paying installers rather than the best ones for your situation. The better approach is to use MCS’s certified installer search to find accredited companies in your area, contact three or four directly, and ask each to provide a written quote following a site survey. We do not take referral fees or commissions from any installer — our aim is simply to help you make a good decision.

Which? recommends getting multiple quotes and checking each installer’s MCS accreditation, customer reviews, and whether they carry out a pre-installation survey rather than quoting from satellite imagery alone.

Red Flags in Solar Panel Quotes

The solar industry in the UK has improved considerably under MCS oversight, but there are still installers who use aggressive sales tactics or provide inadequate quotes. Here is what to watch for:

Pressure selling

Any installer who tells you this price is only available today, or implies that solar grants are about to end (they are not — VAT is already at 0%), or who follows up with repeated calls after you have asked for time to consider, is using pressure tactics. A reputable installer expects you to take time, compare quotes, and ask questions. Walk away from any company that creates artificial urgency.

No MCS certification

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation is non-negotiable for a UK residential solar installation. Without it, you cannot access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), and the installation may not meet building regulation requirements. MCS certifies both the installer and the products used. You can verify an installer’s current certification directly on the MCS website — do this before agreeing to a quote.

No site survey

A legitimate solar quote requires a site survey. This involves a visit to your property to assess the roof structure, orientation, shading, the condition of the consumer unit, cable routing, and any planning constraints. Quotes produced from satellite imagery or over the phone without a visit are indicative at best and unreliable at worst. Structural roof integrity cannot be assessed remotely, and a quote that skips this step may exclude significant additional work.

Vague or incomplete specifications

A quote that says “12 solar panels and an inverter” without naming the brand, model, wattage, and warranty is not a quote — it is a holding figure. If you sign based on that, you have no recourse if inferior panels or a budget inverter are substituted at installation.

Unrealistic savings claims

Be wary of installers who project savings that seem too good to be true. A 4 kWp system on a south-facing unshaded roof in southern England generates around 3,400–3,800 kWh per year. Claims of 5,000+ kWh from the same system are not credible and likely designed to justify the price rather than reflect reality. Ask the installer to show their generation estimate methodology and what assumptions they are making about your consumption.

What a Good Solar Panel Quote Must Include

A professional solar panel quote should be a detailed written document. Anything less should prompt you to ask for the missing information in writing before proceeding. Here is what must be present:

• Panel brand and model: Including wattage per panel, efficiency rating, and product warranty (typically 25 years for the panel itself, covering power output degradation).
• Inverter brand and model: Including capacity, warranty duration (typically 5–12 years), and whether it includes a monitoring portal. Common reputable brands include SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius, Solis, and Growatt.
• System size in kWp: Total installed capacity in kilowatts-peak.
• Estimated annual generation in kWh: Based on your specific roof orientation, tilt, and shading. Ask what shading assumptions are built in.
• Scaffolding: Whether it is included or quoted separately. Scaffold hire typically adds £300–£700 to an installation. Some quotes exclude it and present a lower headline figure.
• DNO notification: For systems above 3.68 kW (single phase) or 11.04 kW (three phase), the installer must notify your local Distribution Network Operator before installation. This is a legal requirement and the installer should handle it — confirm it is included.
• MCS certificate: Confirmation that you will receive an MCS certificate on completion, which you need for SEG applications.
• Workmanship warranty: Separate from the panel and inverter warranties — this covers the installation itself. Typically 1–5 years, but 10 years is offered by some installers.
• VAT treatment: Solar panels and installation are zero-rated for VAT. The quote should confirm that no VAT is charged.

Our detailed guide to MCS-certified solar installers goes deeper on what accreditation means and how to verify it, including what the MCS certificate you receive at the end should contain.

Compare Quotes on Price Per Watt, Not Total Price

The most useful metric for comparing solar quotes is price per watt (£/W or £/Wp), which normalises for the fact that quotes may include different system sizes. To calculate it, divide the total installed cost (excluding battery if quoted separately) by the system size in watts.

Example: A 4 kWp system (4,000 W) quoted at £7,000 = £1.75/W. A 3.5 kWp system quoted at £6,500 = £1.86/W. The second is more expensive per watt despite having a lower total price.

Typical price per watt benchmarks for the UK in 2026:

A quote significantly below £1.50/Wp warrants scrutiny — ask what has been excluded (scaffolding? DNO application?) and check the panel and inverter specifications carefully. A quote above £2.50/Wp for a standard system without a battery should also be questioned unless there is a clear reason (complex installation, premium brands, extended workmanship warranty).

See our full solar panel costs guide for a detailed breakdown of what drives price variation, and use our solar savings calculator to model the return on your specific quoted cost.

Questions to Ask Every Solar Installer Before Signing

Before you agree to any quote, ask these questions and expect clear, written answers:

• “Are you MCS-certified and can I verify your certification number?” — Any reputable installer will give you this immediately. Verify it at mcscertified.com.
• “What is the panel efficiency rating and how does it compare to current market leaders?” — Premium panels (JA Solar, Jinko, Longi, Q Cells, REC) typically achieve 20–22% efficiency. Budget panels may be 17–19%. Lower efficiency means more panels needed for the same output.
• “What inverter warranty do you offer and what happens if it fails outside warranty?” — Inverters have a shorter lifespan than panels. Understanding the support process matters.
• “Does this quote include scaffolding, DNO application, and all cabling?” — Get confirmation in writing.
• “How is my generation estimate calculated — what shading factor and irradiance data are you using?” — A professional installer will reference a tool like PV*SOL or the PVGIS database for irradiance data.
• “Who do I contact if there is a problem after installation, and what is your response time?” — Small one-person operations may not offer the same after-sales support as larger regional installers. This matters over a 25-year ownership period.
• “Do you handle the SEG application on my behalf?” — Some installers provide this as a service; others leave it to you. It is not complex, but it is useful to know in advance. See our Smart Export Guarantee guide for how to apply yourself.

Getting quotes right takes an afternoon, but it is the single most effective thing you can do to ensure you get a reliable system at a fair price. The government’s guidance on solar panel installation also confirms MCS certification as the consumer protection standard and advises getting multiple quotes before committing.