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We break down the best solar panel installers, considering factors such as warranties, brand range, certifications and reputation.
The solar panel installer you choose impacts your experience of integrating this green technology into your home. There are plenty of installers, but the right company will communicate clearly throughout the process, be affordable and hold accreditations that certify the quality of the solar panel system.
Our experts have researched and investigated the UK’s top installers, saving you the effort of searching for the right company for your needs.
Solar panel installation takes 4 to 6 weeks from enquiry to project completion. During this process, it’s important to consider several factors, such as choosing between national or local solar panel installers, checking their accreditations and assessing the installer’s experience. This guide will help you select the best solar panel installers to meet your needs.
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Reliable solar panel installers are usually accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which ensures that the company employs expert installers to complete the work safely and efficiently.
Most of the best companies have been in business for many years. For example, Evergen Solar and Project Solar have more than 12 years of experience with solar panel installations.
A reputable solar panel installer will provide an installation warranty for between 1 and 10 years. They will also give a warranty for the panels themselves, usually for around 25 years, which matches a solar panel’s expected lifespan.
| Warranty | MCS certified | Trustpilot rating | Founded in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime warranty | Yes | Excellent (4.6) | 2011 |
Engineer Gurmukh Bahra established Project Solar in 2011, and Project Better Energy acquired the company in 2018.
This award-winning installation company is the largest and most accredited in the UK, having installed more than 45,000 solar panels. Most notably, Project Solar’s warranties are the longest offered in the UK solar sector.
Project Solar covers one of its panels, the Evolution Titan 445, with a lifetime product warranty and a 10-year labour warranty. The panel’s efficiency is 21%, making it one of the most efficient in the UK market. Project Solar claims that this solar panel performs optimally even with limited light. Highly aesthetic, the panel comprises high-quality materials and consists of sleek black cells that blend well with the colours of most residential roofs.
Project Solar also offers the highly efficient Evolution Super Max Series 455 and SunPower Maxeon solar panels, which are among the most efficient brands on the market. The company even produces its own brand of integrated solar roof tiles and Blackline mounting systems.
A product warranty covers the solar panels, including manufacturing defects. On the other hand, a performance warranty relates to panel efficiency, which naturally degrades over the product’s lifespan. This warranty is often longer than the product warranty, and it guarantees a certain level of panel efficiency after a specified period. The labour warranty, also known as an installation or workmanship warranty, covers the quality of your system’s installation.
| Warranty | MCS certified | Trustpilot rating | Founded in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-year or lifetime warranty | Yes | Excellent (4.4) | 2016 |
Effective Home installations are covered by various certification schemes, including:
The company was established in 2016 to help homeowners make their properties more energy efficient. To this end, the company provides solar panels, battery storage and a range of other products, such as heat pumps, insulation and EV charging.
Effective Home covers its solar panels with a minimum 25-year product warranty and a lifetime warranty for the manufacture of the modules and solar cell performance.
In July 2023, Effective Home teamed up with Halifax to offer a cashback scheme whereby customers receive up to £500 when they install green technologies, such as solar panels.
Effective Home recently launched a monthly paid subscription service through which homeowners can access solar energy for as little as £99 upfront. With this service, Effective Home owns the panels and maintains them at no extra cost to customers, and the Energy Shield subscription offers the option to install solar panels with fixed payments that won’t change for 5 years.
According to the official website, the MCS “sets, defines and maintains the Standards for low-carbon energy technology products, contractors and their installations.” So, choosing an MCS-certified solar panel installer guarantees a reliable and professional installation. Opting for an MCS-accredited installer is also a requirement if you plan to sell your unused solar energy back to the National Grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
| Warranty | MCS certified | Trustpilot rating | Founded in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 years | Yes | Excellent (4.4) | 2011 |
Founded in 2011, Glow Green initially specialised in energy-efficient boilers before branching out to offer a wide range of energy-efficient products, including an all-in-one package that encompasses solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, air conditioning and heat pumps.
The company covers its solar panels with warranties of up to 30 years and offers a 5-year workmanship warranty. It has financing options and has won many awards for its services. Its product range includes panels from JA Solar, Trina Solar, Tesla, PureDrive Energy and Perlight Solar.
| Warranty | MCS certified | Trustpilot rating | Founded in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 years | Yes | Great (4.2) | 2010 |
Evergen Solar was founded in 2010, and in 2015, it began installing residential solar panels on new builds.
The company is HIES-accredited and offers battery energy storage systems in addition to its solar panels. You can choose to install these alongside the initial panel installation or add them to an existing solar panel array.
The company’s solar panels come with an industry-standard warranty of 25 years, while the battery storage systems include a 10-year warranty from the HIES.
Flexible payment options are available to customers who want to spread the installation costs over several years.
| Warranty | MCS certified | Trustpilot rating | Founded in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 years | Yes | Excellent (4.7) | 2019 |
UPS Solar offers a range of solar panel brands, including Sharp, Qcells and JA Solar. The company also provides a 10-year labour warranty and deposit-free installation, so customers only pay after installation. The installation process is supported by the Independent Warranty Association, and the company holds certifications from the Renewable Energy Consumer Code and the MCS.
Founded in 2019, UPS Solar also has the best customer service and has a high Trustpilot rating of 4.7. Positive reviews suggest good communication, friendly installers and a quick installation process.
When deciding whether to engage a local or national solar panel installer, you should first carefully consider the benefits of each option to make an informed decision.
Some of the benefits of choosing a local installer include:
However, choosing a national solar panel installer also has benefits, such as:
Installing a solar system typically takes around 4 to 6 weeks from the initial enquiry to completion. This timeframe includes a thorough site survey, roof plans, the actual installation and the completion of necessary documentation. For larger systems, the process may take slightly longer.
DIY solar panels might seem like a good idea to reduce the installation cost, but such an attempt can come with serious disadvantages. For a start, solar panels are often very heavy, and an installer will have a team of specially trained people to complete the installation. It’s a complex process that involves electrical wiring, and there are many safety hazards from working at heights or incorrectly wiring up the array, leading to a potential fire risk.
Also, to qualify for the government’s Smart Export Guarantee scheme, installers must be MCS-qualified. So, unless you are an MCS-qualified installer, you won’t be eligible for the scheme.
As well as presenting several risks to your safety, DIY solar panels tend to be of lower quality and, therefore, have a much shorter lifespan.
Generally, installers include labour costs in the overall estimate. These costs are usually between £300 and £500, and they cover the 1 or 2 days that installation typically takes. However, this can depend on the size of the system and the area in which the installation is taking place, as local labour rates may vary.
Every solar panel installer and company has different reviews and reputations within the industry. Companies like Project Solar and Effective Home have been top players in the solar panel industry for many years, meaning they can generally be depended on for a reliable service. However, that’s not to say that a smaller, local installer won’t be just as reputable.
Not every electrician can install solar panels. Installing solar panels involves specialised skills beyond standard electrical work, including roof mounting and system integration with the National Grid. Installers must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to ensure quality and compliance with industry standards. This certification is also necessary for homeowners to benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which allows them to earn money by exporting surplus energy to the grid.
