Once the quotations are presented this way, the differences become much easier to see.

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Don't Automatically Choose the Cheapest Solar Quote

 

The cheapest quotation can be the best one.

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But cheap does not automatically mean good value.

Suppose one installer quotes £6,000 and another £6,600.

The additional £600 might include:

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• higher-output panels

• stronger inverter warranty

• scaffolding

• better monitoring

• bird protection

• improved workmanship warranty

• a better mounting system.

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Equally, the £6,600 installer may simply be more expensive.

The only way to know is to compare the specification.

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A solar system is expected to operate for many years, so a relatively small difference in upfront price should be considered against the quality and expected performance of the overall installation.

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Don't Automatically Choose the Most Expensive Quote Either

 

There can also be a tendency to assume that the highest quotation must represent the premium installation.

​

It doesn't necessarily.

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Ask the installer to explain what you receive for the additional money.

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If a £9,000 system uses essentially the same panels, inverter and installation arrangement as a competing £6,500 system, there should be a clear reason for the £2,500 difference.

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Good solar buying is about value rather than simply cheap or expensive.

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Compare the Cost Per kWp

 

One useful comparison is:

total installation price ÷ system capacity

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For example:

£6,500 ÷ 4.5kWp = £1,444 per kWp

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while:

£7,000 ÷ 5.5kWp = £1,273 per kWp

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The £7,000 installation is more expensive overall but provides more generating capacity for each pound invested.

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Cost per kWp isn't sufficient on its own because equipment and installation quality also differ, but it is a useful comparison.

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Should My Solar Quote Include Battery Storage?

 

Only if you want it — or if the installer can demonstrate why it is appropriate.

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I like seeing quotations presented as:

​

Option A – solar panels only

and

Option B – solar panels + battery storage

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That lets you see exactly what the battery is costing.

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You can then assess whether the additional investment is justified by the extra electricity savings.

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Battery storage should not be hidden inside a package where it becomes difficult to understand the individual costs.

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Ask for the Battery Price Separately

 

If the quotation includes storage, ask for:

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• battery manufacturer

• battery model

• total capacity

• usable capacity

• maximum output

• warranty

• inverter arrangement

• installation cost.

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Also ask:

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How much do I save if I remove the battery?

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That one question can tell you a lot about the financial case.

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Solar Panel Quotes With EV Charging

 

If you have an electric vehicle — or expect to buy one — tell the installer before requesting the quotation.

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EV charging can substantially change household electricity demand.

​

A smart solar-compatible charger may allow surplus generation to be directed into the vehicle.

​

Therefore, ask for:

​

solar installation only

and, where appropriate:

solar installation + EV charger.

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The solar designer can then consider whether your expected vehicle charging makes a larger array worthwhile.

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Solar Quotes for Homes With a Heat Pump

 

Tell the installer if you have or are considering a heat pump.

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A heat pump increases electrical demand compared with a house using gas for heating.

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A solar installation designed around today's electricity usage could therefore become undersized if the home's heating system changes later.

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The same applies to other future electrical loads such as:

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• air conditioning

• electric water heating

• home office

• workshop equipment

• additional EVs.

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Good solar design should consider where your energy use is heading, not simply last year's electricity bill.

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What Information Do I Need for a Solar Quote?

 

You can help an installer prepare a better initial quotation by providing:

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Your Address

This allows the roof and location to be assessed.

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Annual Electricity Consumption

Look at your electricity bill for the approximate annual kWh consumption.

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Electricity Tariff

This helps with potential savings calculations.

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Roof Information

Useful details include:

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• roof direction

• roof type

• approximate age

• known shading.

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Photographs

Roof photographs, meter photographs and pictures of the consumer unit can help with an initial assessment.

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Daytime Electricity Usage

Tell the installer whether somebody is normally home during the day.

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EV or Heat Pump Plans

Future electricity demand matters.

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Battery Requirements

Tell the company whether you definitely want storage, definitely do not, or simply want to see the financial comparison.

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Solar Panel Quote or Site Survey First?

 

Different installers use different processes.

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Some prepare an initial solar quote remotely and carry out a detailed survey once the customer is interested.

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Others survey first.

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Both approaches can work.

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Remote assessment can avoid unnecessary site visits where the initial price is clearly outside the homeowner's budget.

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The important issue is that the system should be properly assessed before the final installation design is confirmed.

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Should a Solar Quote Show Expected Savings?

 

Yes, but treat them as estimates rather than promises.

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Solar savings depend upon factors that the installer cannot completely control, including:

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• actual weather

• future electricity prices

• export tariffs

• household electricity consumption

• how much solar electricity you use yourself.

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The generation calculation should therefore be clearly separated from assumptions about future financial savings.

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Be particularly cautious if somebody guarantees a particular financial return.

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Solar Quotes and Payback Periods

 

A quotation may also estimate how long the system takes to repay its cost through energy savings and export income.

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This can be useful for comparing systems.

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However, the payback period depends heavily on assumptions.

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For example:

Installation price: £6,500
Annual benefit: £650
Simple payback: 10 years

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Another system might cost £7,000 but generate an estimated £850 annual benefit:

£7,000 ÷ £850 = approximately 8.2 years

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The more expensive system would theoretically have the shorter payback.

​

That is why price alone does not tell you which quote provides the stronger investment.

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Solar Installation Quotes and MCS Certification

 

When comparing quotations, check whether the proposed installer is MCS certified for solar PV.

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MCS describes itself as the UK's quality mark for small-scale renewable-energy systems, including solar panels, and provides a searchable directory of certified installers.

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Energy Saving Trust currently recommends obtaining quotations from MCS-certified installers.

​

Certification is therefore one of the things I would check before comparing two otherwise similar quotations.

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Solar Quotes and Consumer Protection

 

Also establish what consumer-protection arrangements apply.

​

RECC's Consumer Code covers areas including:

​

marketing
pre-contract information
quotations
deposits
contracts
guarantees
after-sales service.

​

RECC advises consumers to obtain at least three quotes and carefully review documentation before signing.

​

These protections matter because a solar quotation can lead to a contract worth several thousand pounds.

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Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Solar Quote

 

Before proceeding, I would ask the installer:

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What Exactly Is Included in the Price?

Make sure there aren't obvious extras waiting later.

​

What Is the Total System Capacity?

Ask for the figure in kWp.

​

What Panels Are Being Supplied?

Get the manufacturer and model.

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What Inverter Is Included?

Again, obtain the manufacturer and model.

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What Annual Generation Do You Predict?

Ask how the figure has been calculated.

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Is Scaffolding Included?

Get a clear yes or no.

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Are All Electrical Works Included?

Ask whether any upgrades could be additional.

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Is Monitoring Included?

And establish whether there are ongoing subscription charges.

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What Warranties Are Included?

Separate panel, inverter and workmanship warranties.

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Can Battery Storage Be Added Later?

This may influence inverter choice now.

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Will You Handle the Network Requirements?

Establish who deals with the appropriate DNO process.

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Who Actually Installs the System?

Find out whether the installation is carried out by the company itself or subcontracted.

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Solar Quote Red Flags

 

I would be cautious about quotations accompanied by claims such as:

​

“You must sign today.”

“The Government is paying for most of this.”

“The panels will definitely pay for themselves in five years.”

“You'll never have an electricity bill again.”

“This discount disappears tonight.”

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Likewise, be cautious if the quotation does not identify the panels or inverter.

​

A professional solar installer should be prepared to let you read the proposal, compare alternatives and make an informed decision.

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Solar Finance and Quotations

 

If finance is being offered, separate the cost of the solar system from the cost of borrowing.

​

For example:

Cash price: £7,000

is very different from:

Total amount repayable through finance: £10,500.

​

Always establish:

• cash price

• deposit

• amount financed

• APR

• monthly payment

• number of payments

• total amount repayable.

​

A low monthly payment can conceal a high total cost if the finance term is long.

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For more detail, see our separate guide to Solar Panel Funding and Finance.

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Can I Negotiate a Solar Panel Quote?

 

Potentially.

Once you have several comparable quotations, you are in a much better position to discuss price.

​

But rather than simply asking:

“Can you make it cheaper?”

you can ask:

​

“Another installer has quoted a similar 4.5kWp system using comparable equipment for £500 less. Is there a reason for the difference?”

​

That gives the company an opportunity either to justify its specification or improve its offer.

​

Sometimes the better negotiation is not a lower price but an improved package, such as:

​

• upgraded panels

• longer inverter warranty

• bird protection

• monitoring

• EV charger

• improved workmanship cover.

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How Long Should a Solar Quote Be Valid?

 

Quotation validity varies because equipment and labour prices can change.

​

The installer should state the validity period in writing.

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However, you should not confuse a legitimate quotation expiry date with high-pressure sales tactics.

​

A company saying:

​

“This quotation is valid for 30 days”

is very different from:

“Sign before I leave your house or the price increases by £2,000.”

​

Take enough time to compare proposals properly.

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Solar Panel Quotes FAQs

 

How Many Solar Panel Quotes Should I Get?

At least three quotations is a sensible starting point and is recommended by both Energy Saving Trust and RECC.

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How Much Is a Typical Solar Panel Quote?

Energy Saving Trust currently puts a typical domestic solar installation at around £6,100 for approximately 3.5kWp, although actual quotations vary considerably according to system and property.

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Can I Get an Instant Solar Quote Online?

Yes. An initial estimate can often be prepared from your postcode, roof information and electricity usage. A more detailed assessment is normally needed before the final installation is confirmed.

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Are Online Solar Quotes Accurate?

They can provide useful initial budgeting information, but roof condition, access, shading, electrical work and other site-specific factors can alter the final price.

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Should Solar Quotes Include Scaffolding?

Establish this specifically. Roof-access requirements can affect installation costs, so do not assume scaffolding is included.

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Should I Get a Solar-Only Quote Before Adding a Battery?

Yes. I would normally want to see the cost of solar alone and solar plus battery separately so the additional battery investment can be properly assessed.

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Does the Cheapest Solar Quote Give the Best Payback?

Not necessarily. A slightly more expensive system might provide greater generating capacity and a better annual return.

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Should Solar Quotes Show Predicted Generation?

Yes. A meaningful proposal should tell you the expected annual generation of the system and the assumptions behind that estimate.

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Should I Use an MCS-Certified Installer?

Energy Saving Trust recommends obtaining quotations from MCS-certified installers, and MCS provides a directory for checking installer certification.

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Can I Compare Solar Quotes Through APN Solar?

Yes. APN Solar is designed to help homeowners understand their solar options and connect with installers operating within their area.

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Get Solar Panel Quotes

 

A good solar panel quote should answer three questions:

​

What am I buying?

What will it cost?

What is it expected to produce?

Before choosing an installer, compare:

system size
solar panels
inverter
predicted annual generation
installation work
scaffolding
battery options
EV charging
warranties
installer credentials
and total price.

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APN Solar can help you explore the options and connect with solar installers covering your area.

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Rather than relying on a single quotation, compare proposals and choose the system that provides the strongest combination of price, performance and installation quality.

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