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We break down the best solar panel installers in the UK in 2025. We chose Project Solar as best for long warranties, Effective Home as best for industry accreditation, and Glow Green as the best range of high-efficiency panels.
Not all solar panel installers are created equal: the best companies will supply you with the best solar panels, make reliable recommendations about the size of solar system required for your home and communicate clearly throughout the installation process.
Our solar experts have compiled hundreds of hours of research, interviews and company reviews to provide unbiased recommendations for the best solar panel installers in the UK. We also surveyed 2,000 people with solar panels to find out how they chose their solar panel installer.*
The companies below hold industry accreditations and are backed by years of experience and plenty of satisfied customers, so you can feel confident choosing one of them with your solar panel installation.
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| Solar panel installer | FMB pick | Trustpilot rating | MCS certified | Maximum warranty | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Solar | Best for long warranties | 4.7 stars | Yes | Lifetime | 2011 |
| Effective Home | Best industry accreditation | 4.6 stars | Yes | 25 years | 2016 |
| Solar4Good | Best customer service | 4.8 stars | Yes | 25 years | 2020 |
| Glow Green | Best range of high-efficiency panels | 4.7 stars | Yes | 30 years | 2011 |
| Evergen Solar | Best for battery storage options | 4.2 stars | Yes | 25 years | 2010 |
| UPS Solar | Best payment terms available | 4.8 stars | Yes | 25 years | 2019 |
| Sunsave | Best solar subscription service | 4.7 stars | Yes | 25 years | 2022 |
Project Solar is the largest solar panel installation company in the UK, having installed more than 45,000 solar panels since its inception in 2011. It is particularly well-known for its industry-leading lifetime warranties on its solar panels and installations.
The installer also tops our list as it offers the two best solar panels on the market, as determined by our experts. Project Solar customers can choose between the brand’s own Project Solar Evo Max Super Series 480W panel, which we scored 8.2 out of 10, and the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W, which scored 8.9 out of 10.
Project Solar comes thoroughly recommended from its existing customers. In our solar panel survey, 97 per cent of respondents with Project Solar panels said they would recommend the brand*. The same number said their panels had met or exceeded expectations when it came to energy production, and 95 per cent of respondents felt their solar panels had met or exceeded their expectations regarding ongoing cost savings.
What Project Solar customers say
“From start to finish, Project Solar have been excellent, from initial contact made by myself to the eagerly awaited switch on the work was top quality, The sub contractors used were all professional, polite and courteous. The job was completed in good time and the real breath of fresh air came from the administration, that team were efficient, timely and followed up on all correspondence quickly. The whole PS team knew their role and came together to make my experience a pleasant one. Thank you to all Project Solar.”
Effective Home stands out among other solar companies thanks to its many industry accreditations, attesting to its reliability. Effective Home solar panel installations are covered by various certification schemes, including:
With these certificates and accreditations, customers should feel confident that they’re opting for a trusted and reliable provider. Effective Home also covers its solar panels with a minimum 25-year product warranty and a lifetime warranty for the manufacturing and performance of the solar cells it provides.
In 2024, Effective Home launched a monthly paid subscription service called Energy Shield, allowing homeowners to access solar energy for as little as £99 upfront. Through this service, Effective Home installs solar panels on your roof, then sells the energy they generate back to you at a tariff that is fixed every five years. This tariff should be cheaper than the national average unit rates in the UK, saving you money on your energy bills.
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.
What Effective Home customers say
“Great service from my Surveyor Ian R, our Operations Planner Lauren was great. This meant that everything was ready to go. The installations team arrived early to install our 4.4 kW solar system with back up batteries. The install was finished by 13:00 and the system was generating even though it was cloudy. The team were efficient and tidy and showed me how to use the App and the features of the system. I am delighted.”
Although Solar4Good was only founded in 2020, it has quickly built a reputation for efficient, reliable installations, completing around 1,500 projects annually. Their installers are backed by a friendly customer service team which is often praised in Trustpilot reviews, earning Solar4Good an impressive 4.8 stars on the review site.
Solar4Good offers three customisable residential packages, with solar panel prices ranging from £5,500 for 10 panels to over £9,000 for 16 panels and 8.7kWh battery storage. It supplies solar products from JA Solar, Jinko, Trina Solar, Qcells, and Fox ESS.
What Solar4Good customers say
“Had solar panels installed in February for our home. Very happy with the service we received. Staff were great and professional. I would definitely recommend Solar4Good.”
Founded in 2011, Glow Green initially specialised in energy-efficient boilers before branching out to offer other green home 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 five-year workmanship warranty. It has financing options and is an award-wining provider. Its product range includes panels from JA Solar, Trina Solar, Tesla, PureDrive Energy and Perlight Solar.
What Glow Green customers say
“There was no requirement for an engineer to view my property as all details of roof pitch and positioning of battery and inverter were discussed on phone calls with shared photos. It was very professionally dealt with and the whole installation process went very smoothly. With the solar PV in full operation now, even in the winter sunshine/light,we are already seeing significant savings on our electricity bill and the installation of the 5KW battery has enabled us to make even more savings.
I would definitely recommend Glow Green to plan and install PV solar panels.”
Evergen Solar was founded in 2010 and began installing residential solar panels on new builds in 2015.
The company is HIES-accredited and offers battery storage systems in addition to its solar panels. These can be installed alongside the initial panel installation or added to an existing solar panel system.
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 also available to customers who want to spread the installation costs over several years.
What Evergen Solar customers say
“Sensibly priced quote, thorough survey, excellent installers and comprehensive solution. Whilst each function was out-sourced they worked well together and produced a bespoke install that accommodated our demands (difficult roof in a difficult location!). Reassuring follow-up to ensure the solution was working to the design and expectations (including subsequent revision of connections to the panels) and knowledgeable and helpful office staff to help get the (significant) paperwork in place to allow us to take advantage of the feed-in tariff.”
UPS Solar offers a range of solar panel brands, including Sharp, Qcells and JA Solar. The latter is especially popular, as 95 per cent of JA Solar customers who responded to our survey stated they would recommend the brand to others.
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 MCS.
Founded in 2019, UPS Solar also has a high Trustpilot rating of 4.8 stars out of 5. Positive reviews suggest good communication, friendly installers and a quick installation process.
What UPS Solar customers say
“From initial contact through to installation, UPS were very professional. They are a company that listens to and addresses any customer’s concerns and keeps the customer updated throughout. Pricing was very competitive and the equipment used is some of the best on the market (do your own research). The survey was very thorough and all my questions were answered honestly. The installation was carried out by a team of 4 and they worked continuously until the job was complete. Any mess generated was cleared away immediately and my house was left spotless after the installation was finished. Everything was up and running before they left.
I would highly recommend you consider UPS Solar.”
Founded in 2022, Sunsave is the newest solar panel installer on this list, and it’s known for creating the UK’s first solar subscription service.
While other subscription services have appeared since, including from Otovo and Unbound Energy, Sunsave’s still stands out. With Sunsave Plus, you own your panels from the moment your system is installed, without the need to put down a deposit or pay an upfront fee. You then pay for your system monthly, starting at £69, for a maximum of 20 years. If you wish, you can pay off some or all of your system cost at any time, with no penalty.
Sunsave doesn’t just offer a subscription service. With Sunsave Standard, you can buy your panels upfront, with costs starting from £6,700 for a complete solar system with a battery.
Sunsave Plus and Standard both offer 25-year performance and product warranties on your panels, and 10-year warranties for batteries and inverters. And if you’re an existing Octopus Energy customer, installing your panels with Sunsave will give you faster access to the energy provider’s often market-leading Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs.
What Sunsave customers say
“From start to finish I have not been pushed or pressured into doing anything. Information shared was professional and helped us make a decision to go ahead with a solar system. The contractors chosen were professional, helpful and had our system up and running quickly. Paperwork post fitting was quick to come through with all the advice we needed to start the process of selling back to the grid. Thank you and would recommend to anyone thinking of a solar system.”
Alongside the national installers above, you can find a number of regional solar panel installers in your local area. Some notable MCS-accredited regional solar panel installers include:
| Region | Regional solar panel installer |
|---|---|
| North East | North East Solar Sustainable Energy Engineering |
| North West | Applegarth Engineering Go Green Solar Group Ltd |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | Purelec Energy Solar Smart Energy |
| East Midlands | Ace Solar Ltd LJM Solutions |
| West Midlands | Ace Solar Energy Geo Green Power |
| East of England | Cambridge Renewables Cambridge Solar |
| London | Everyone’s Energy Sogo Solar |
| South East | Deege Solar South East Solar Power |
| South West | Eco NRG My Home Solar |
| Scotland | Home Renewables Scotland RB Grant Electrical Contractors |
| Wales | Celtic Green Energy JM Renewables |
| Northern Ireland | Solar Fix Solar Power NI |
Whether you choose a national installer or a smaller regional one, the process from getting quotes to installing panels will be fairly similar. You can find a solar panel installer through FMB by:
Both local and national solar panel installers come with advantages and drawbacks which you should consider before making your choice.
Some of the benefits of choosing a local installer include:
However, choosing a national solar panel installer brings you:
Once you have found a few different MCS-accredited installers, make a pros and cons list for each one. According to our survey of over 2,000 solar panel owners*, the most important factor to consider is cost, followed by the warranties offered and the installer’s reputation.
One of the primary considerations when comparing solar panel installers is their cost. The best way to know you’re getting a fair price is to collect as many quotes as possible. It may also help you to negotiate with your chosen installer, especially if you have cheaper quotes to back up your haggling.
Hopefully nothing will go wrong with your panels, but in the event that something were to go awry, you’ll want to know that you’re covered. You should compare the lengths of the labour warranty provided by the installer, as well as the product and performance warranties that come with your solar panels of choice.
Most of the best solar companies have been in business for many years; for example, both Evergen and Project Solar have more than 12 years of experience installing solar panels, so these installers might be at the top of your list if this matters to you.
Trustpilot is also an invaluable resource to check how customers feel about their service, especially for newer solar panel installers.
Solar panel installers will often have a select number of solar panel brands they work with, so you should do your research at the outset and make sure you’re happy with the power and efficiency of the panels offered by the installer in question. The more powerful and efficient your panels are, the fewer you’ll need to meet your energy needs.
A practical consideration when comparing solar panel installers is how long it’ll be before they can get started on your household. While you might not want to wait months and months for an installation, an installer with a slightly longer wait time because they’re in high demand can be a sign of quality.
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for when comparing solar panel installers:
According to the official website, the MCS “sets, defines and maintains the Standards for low-carbon energy technology products, contractors and their installations.” 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 a regulated SEG tariff.
A MCS accreditation isn’t the only certificate to watch out for, however. The following are all signs that your installer provides a high quality service – you should look for evidence of certification or participation on an installers’ website, typically in the form of a badge or logo:
More than half (52.38 per cent) of the people we surveyed said installing their solar system took one to three months from signing the contract to completion. This timeframe includes a thorough site survey, making up roof plans, the actual installation and the completion of necessary documentation. For larger systems, the process may take slightly longer.
Installing solar panels yourself might seem like a good way to reduce your upfront costs, but it is generally not recommended. Installing a solar system requires technical knowledge as there are many safety risks involved, and you may find that a DIY solar panel system may lack efficiency compared to a professionally-installed one. What’s more, to take advantage of the SEG scheme, your solar panel system must be installed by an MCS-certified installer.
Labour costs are typically included in your solar panel system quote. These costs generally range between £300 and £500 depending on the size and complexity of the installation, as well as the area you live in.
Companies like Project Solar and Effective Home have been top players in the solar industry for many years, meaning they can generally be depended on to guarantee a reliable service. That said, a smaller, local installer might be just as reliable and provide a more personalised service; however, make sure to check customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot before you commit.
Not every electrician can install solar panels as roof mounting and integrating a system with the National Grid involve specialised skills beyond standard electrical work.
In most cases, planning permission is not required to install solar panels. Certain properties such as listed buildings and those within Conservation Areas do require planning permission to install solar panels, though the new Labour Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has proposed schemes to make it easier to install solar panels on such buildings. Always check with your local planning authority if you are unsure.
A product warranty covers the solar panels, including manufacturing defects, while a performance warranty relates to the panel’s efficiency, which naturally degrades over its lifespan. The performance warranty guarantees a certain level of panel efficiency after a specified period, and is often longer than the product warranty. The labour warranty, also known as an installation or workmanship warranty, covers the quality of your system’s installation.
*Survey conducted by the Federation of Master Builders, 2,004 respondents, June 2024.
