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Check the suitability of your roof
Ask whether your roof is suitable for solar panels and how the installer assessed it. A proper survey should cover roof age, strength, pitch, direction, shading, and whether any repairs are needed first.
You should also ask if the panels will affect your roof warranty or any future maintenance. If your roof needs work soon, it may be better to fix that before installation.
Understand the expected performance
Ask how much electricity the system is likely to generate each year. The installer should explain their estimate and the assumptions behind it, such as roof orientation and local weather.
It is also worth asking how the system will perform in winter and on cloudy days. For a UK home, realistic performance figures matter more than best-case promises.
Clarify the equipment being installed
Ask which panels, inverter, and mounting system will be used, and why those products were chosen. You should know the brand, model, warranty length, and expected lifespan of each key part.
If battery storage is included, ask how much usable storage it provides and whether it suits your household. Find out if the system can be expanded later if your energy use changes.
Ask about costs and savings
Request a full written quote that breaks down all costs, including scaffolding, electrical work, and VAT. Ask if there are any extra charges that could appear later, such as roof repairs or upgraded consumer units.
Also ask how long it will take to pay back the investment. Any savings estimate should be based on your own electricity use, not a generic average.
Check permissions, warranties, and support
Ask whether planning permission or building regulations approval is needed for your property. Most homes in the UK do not need planning permission, but there can be exceptions for flats, listed buildings, and conservation areas.
You should also ask what warranties are included and who handles problems after installation. Find out whether the installer offers monitoring, maintenance, and a clear process for call-outs or repairs.
Confirm credentials and contract terms
Ask if the installer is MCS-certified and whether they are registered with a consumer protection scheme. This can matter for quality, warranty support, and access to export payments or other incentives.
Before signing, check the cancellation terms, deposit requirements, payment schedule, and installation date. Make sure everything promised verbally is written into the contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask for a complete itemized quote that includes panels, inverters, racking, wiring, permits, inspections, labor, monitoring, taxes, and any administrative or service fees so you can compare offers accurately.
Request the exact brands and model numbers for the panels, inverter or microinverters, battery if included, and mounting hardware so you can verify quality, warranties, and performance specifications before agreeing.
Ask for a production estimate based on your roof, shading, location, and historical weather data, and make sure the estimate explains assumptions, degradation, and whether the system is sized to offset your actual usage.
Ask what warranties are included for equipment, workmanship, roof penetrations, and performance, how long each lasts, what is covered, and who handles claims and service if something fails.
Ask about interest rate, term length, monthly payment, fees, prepayment penalties, escalators, and whether the financing is a loan, lease, or power purchase agreement so you understand the full long-term cost.
Confirm whether you will own the system immediately or if a third party owns it, because ownership affects tax credits, maintenance responsibilities, resale value, and what happens if you sell the property.
Ask who obtains permits, who pays the fees, how inspections are scheduled, and whether the installer is responsible for resolving any issues with the utility, building department, or fire department.
Request a realistic timeline from contract signing to final activation, including design, permitting, procurement, installation, inspection, and utility approval, and ask what could cause delays.
Ask whether the installer inspected your roof, whether repairs or replacement are recommended before installation, and how the contract handles damage, leaks, or future roof work after the system is installed.
Ask whether the installer will handle the utility application, net metering paperwork, and interconnection approvals, and confirm what happens if the utility requires additional upgrades or changes.
If a battery is included, ask about usable capacity, backup loads, discharge limits, warranty, safety certifications, and whether the battery can work during a grid outage or only for bill savings.
Ask who is responsible for routine maintenance, cleaning, monitoring, and troubleshooting, what maintenance is expected, and what service costs may apply after the installation is complete.
Ask whether the installer guarantees a certain level of energy production, how underperformance is measured, what exclusions apply, and whether you receive compensation or corrective work if targets are missed.
Ask how many roof penetrations are required, what waterproofing methods are used, whether flashing is included, and what the installer’s liability is if leaks occur after installation.
Ask whether there is a right to cancel, how long the cancellation period lasts, whether any deposit is refundable, and what charges apply if the project is terminated before installation.
Ask which incentives you may qualify for, who is responsible for applying, whether the quoted price assumes incentives, and whether the installer provides documentation needed for tax filings.
Ask for a site assessment showing roof orientation, tilt, shading from trees or structures, and panel placement, because these factors affect production and may change the final system design.
Ask whether any part of the work will be performed by subcontractors, what portions they handle, whether they are licensed and insured, and who remains responsible for quality and warranties.
Ask how change orders are handled, what types of changes can increase the price, who must approve them, and whether the contract limits unexpected costs after work begins.
Ask for time to review every clause, confirm that verbal promises are written into the contract, check payment milestones, liability limits, warranty language, and dispute resolution terms, and consider legal review if anything is unclear.
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