The UK solar market added nearly 200,000 installations in 2023 alone — a record driven by energy bills that have doubled since 2021. Yet for every household that gets a working system, another posts on social media about panels that never generated, deposits that vanished, or installers who disappeared after the first rain. The Independent recently published a list of fitters it trusts (as reported by The Independent), a move that reflects a deeper anxiety: with so many cowboys in the green rush, who do you actually let on your roof?
MCS is the floor, not the ceiling
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the minimum bar for any solar installer in the UK. Without it, you cannot claim the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays you for electricity you send to the grid — currently averaging 5–15p per kWh depending on your supplier. Ofgem requires MCS certification for SEG eligibility, and most finance companies also insist on it. But MCS alone is not a guarantee of quality. The scheme certifies that an installer has passed an exam and follows basic standards; it does not test for workmanship on your specific roof. The real test comes from reviews, references, and the installer’s willingness to show you previous jobs.
What the guarantees actually cover
A typical solar panel carries a 25-year linear performance warranty — meaning it should still produce at least 80% of its rated output after two decades. The inverter, which converts DC to AC power for your home, usually has a much shorter warranty: 5 to 10 years, with an extension often costing extra. Batteries vary wildly, from 10-year guarantees on premium lithium-ion units to just 2 years on budget models. The catch is that many warranties are manufacturer-backed, not installer-backed. If the company that fitted your panels goes under, you may have to chase a manufacturer in China or Germany for a replacement. The Energy Saving Trust advises checking that the installer offers at least a 5-year workmanship guarantee on top of the manufacturer’s product warranty.
Payment protection is your only safety net
The solar industry has a high rate of insolvency — more than 80 installers went bust in 2022 alone, according to liquidation data seen by Which?. If you pay by bank transfer and the company folds before completing the job, your money is almost certainly gone. Paying by credit card for any portion over £100 gives you Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act, meaning the card issuer is jointly liable. Alternatively, using a finance company that is FCA-regulated and holds the funds until the work is signed off can protect you. The Independent’s list of trusted fitters likely includes companies that have survived this churn, but no list can predict the future. Your best defence is a payment structure that does not leave you exposed.
What a typical 3-bed semi should expect
A standard 4 kWp system — roughly 10–12 panels — costs between £5,000 and £8,000 installed in 2024, according to industry estimates. That includes scaffolding, the inverter, cabling, and a generation meter. Adding a 5 kWh battery adds another £2,000–£4,000. The payback period, assuming you use 50% of the electricity generated and export the rest at 15p/kWh, is typically 8–12 years. But that calculation depends heavily on your roof orientation, shading, and whether you are home during the day to use the power. The SEG rate has fallen from a peak of 5.5p/kWh in 2022 to around 15p now — still decent, but not the bonanza some early adopters enjoyed.
What to do before you sign
Ask for three recent customer references and call them. Check the company’s MCS registration on the MCS website. Get at least three quotes and compare them on like-for-like specifications — not just price. Insist on a written contract that specifies the make and model of panels, inverter, and any battery, plus the workmanship guarantee period. And never pay the full amount upfront. A deposit of 10–25% is standard; the balance should be due only when the system is generating and you have signed off the installation. If an installer demands full payment before they start, walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not legally need MCS to install solar panels on your home. But without it, you cannot claim the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments for electricity you send to the grid. Most finance providers and some insurance companies also require MCS certification, so it is effectively a non-negotiable for a proper installation.
If the installer goes under, your manufacturer warranties should still be valid, but you may have to deal directly with the manufacturer to claim them. Any workmanship guarantee from the installer will be void. To protect yourself, pay by credit card (for Section 75 cover) or use a finance company that holds the funds until the work is completed.
