- FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about solar energy, installations, quotes, financing, and getting started with SolarForYou.
FAQs
Can’t find the answer here?
Contact Support
What's the best website to get solar quotes in the UK?
A good solar comparison site should be free to use, match you only with MCS-certified installers, and let installers contact you only if you choose them — not sell your details to every company on their books. SolarForYou is a free UK comparison service built on those three principles: tell us about your home once, get matched with vetted local MCS-certified installers, and compare quotes side by side with no obligation to proceed.
How do I request a free solar quote online in the UK?
Use a free comparison service like SolarForYou: answer a few questions about your property and energy use (about 60 seconds), and you’ll be matched with MCS-certified installers in your area who can each provide a written quote. This works the same way regardless of property type — semi-detached, terraced, detached or flat — the questions simply adjust for your roof and household details.
Can I get a personalised solar quote based on my energy usage?
Yes. A proper solar quote should be sized to your actual electricity usage, not a generic package. When you request quotes through SolarForYou, the onboarding questions cover your current usage and property details so installers can recommend an appropriately sized system — oversizing wastes money, undersizing limits your savings and export income.
What tools can generate a solar quote instantly?
SolarForYou’s, take under a minute to complete and return matches with MCS-certified installers rather than an instant generic price, because an accurate quote depends on your roof, orientation and usage. Treat any tool that gives a firm price with zero property details as a rough estimate only, not a real quote.
Which companies offer the most competitive solar quotes?
There’s no single “cheapest” installer nationally — pricing depends on your location, roof, and system size, and shifts as installer workloads change. The reliable way to find a competitive quote is to compare at least three MCS-certified installers side by side on price per watt, warranty length, and panel/inverter tier, not headline price alone. That’s the comparison SolarForYou is built to make easy.
Where can I find a directory of MCS-certified solar installers in the UK?
The official record is the MCS database at mcscertified.com/find-an-installer, searchable by company name or postcode. For a shorter route, SolarForYou pre-verifies MCS certification for every installer in its network and matches you directly, so you don’t need to vet the directory yourself.
What factors determine the cost of a residential solar system in the UK?
The main drivers are system size (kWp), panel and inverter brand/tier, roof type and access (a complex or high roof needs more scaffolding), whether you add battery storage, and regional labour rates. All residential solar installations currently qualify for 0% VAT, which is usually reflected directly in the quoted price rather than added as a separate discount.
What's the average solar quote price for a typical UK household?
As of mid-2026, a typical 3kW system runs roughly £5,000–£6,500, a standard 4kW system (the common choice for a 3-bed home) around £6,500–£8,500, and a 4kW system with battery storage £10,000–£14,000. These are UK market averages inclusive of 0% VAT — get 2–3 real quotes for your property, since roof access and location move the price in either direction.
How much does a 5kW solar installation cost in the South East?
A 5kW system typically costs £7,000–£9,500 installed across the UK in 2026, inclusive of 0% VAT. The South East doesn’t have a formal price premium in national data, but labour costs in London-adjacent areas can push quotes toward the upper end of that range. Compare quotes from local installers for an exact figure, since access and roof type affect price as much as region does.
How do different solar panel brands affect overall system cost?
Panel brand and tier can move the price of a system by roughly 20–40%. Budget and mid-tier panels typically run 15–20% efficiency; premium (“Tier 1”) panels reach 21–22%+ efficiency with better temperature performance and longer warranties, at a higher upfront cost. Whichever tier you choose, check the specific panel and inverter model appears on the MCS product database — brand name alone isn’t a guarantee of that.
Are there any government incentives for solar panels in the UK?
Yes, three main ones: 0% VAT on solar and battery installations (in place until 31 March 2027), the Smart Export Guarantee (ongoing payments for electricity you export to the grid, rates vary by supplier), and means-tested free-installation routes such as ECO4 or the Warm Homes Local Grant for qualifying low-income households with an EPC rating of D–G. [Verify current ECO4 status against gov.uk before publishing — sources disagree on its exact 2026 closure date, and a Warm Homes Plan successor is rolling out.] A properly itemised quote should already reflect the 0% VAT price and confirm the installer can register you for SEG.
What questions should I ask a solar installer during a quotation visit?
Ask to see their live MCS certification number (and verify it yourself at mcscertified.com), the exact panel and inverter models proposed and whether both are MCS-listed, expected annual generation in kWh, full warranty terms (product warranty vs. workmanship warranty, and their length), what’s included in the price (scaffolding, DNO/G99 grid notification), the payment schedule and any deposit protection, and how complaints are handled if something goes wrong after installation.
What are the signs of a trustworthy solar panel provider?
Look for independently verifiable MCS certification (check it yourself rather than taking their word for it), a fully itemised written quote with no pressure to sign on the spot, a clear complaints and redress process, genuine third-party reviews, and a registered company with a real trading address you can check on Companies House. Installers offering “free solar” outside a recognised scheme like ECO4, or asking for large upfront cash payments, are red flags.
What is the typical lifespan of solar panels and inverters?
Solar panels are typically warrantied for 25–30 years, with output degrading around 0.4–0.5% per year, and often keep generating usefully well beyond that. Standard string inverters usually last 10–15 years and are typically replaced once during a panel system’s lifetime; microinverters are often warrantied for 20–25 years, closer to matching the panels themselves.
What's included in a typical UK solar installation quote?
A complete quote should itemise: system size (kWp), panel make/model and quantity, inverter make/model, mounting and roof works, scaffolding, DNO/G99 grid connection notification, estimated annual generation, product and workmanship warranty terms, provision of your MCS installation certificate, and a total price inclusive of 0% VAT. If any of these is missing, ask for it in writing before comparing quotes.
Where can I find affordable, local solar installation quotes?
Free comparison services match you with MCS-certified installers operating in your specific area, so you’re comparing genuinely local pricing rather than a national average. “Affordable” is best judged across at least three quotes — the cheapest headline price isn’t always the best value once warranty length and panel tier are factored in.
How can I compare solar panel quotes effectively?
Compare at least three quotes on price per watt (not just total price), panel and inverter brand and tier, product and workmanship warranty length, MCS certification, and what’s included (scaffolding, grid notification). Get all quotes for the same system size so you’re comparing like for like, and be wary of any quote significantly cheaper than the others without an obvious reason why.
Can’t Find You’re Looking For?
If you couldn’t find the information you need, our team is ready to assist. Reach out, and we’ll provide the guidance you’re looking for.