The solar market has exploded — and so has the range of installers, with widely varying quality. In the UK the paperwork decides real outcomes: without an MCS-certified installation most suppliers won't pay you for exported power under the Smart Export Guarantee, the network operator (DNO) must be notified or approve the connection, and energy-saving installations are currently zero-rated for VAT in Great Britain. We check your solar quote on the claims it makes and on what it leaves out.
What do we check?
- ✓ Price breakdown — is every item specified or only roughly estimated?
- ✓ Scope — what is and isn't included in this quote?
- ✓ Included / excluded — VAT, materials, transport, waste removal?
- ✓ Extra work — how and when is it communicated and approved?
- ✓ Warranty — on labour and materials, for how long and under what conditions?
- ✓ Schedule — is the completion date binding or only indicative?
- ✓ Payment — are instalments tied to progress or set arbitrarily?
- ✓ Terms — what are the cancellation and liability clauses?
- ✓ Missing information — what isn't stated but should have been?
- ✓ Questions for the supplier — concrete points to clarify.
Common risks
- ⚠ The yield calculation assumes optimal conditions and perfect roof orientation — not your actual roof
- ⚠ MCS certification not stated — without it, Smart Export Guarantee payments are usually off the table
- ⚠ DNO notification or approval (G98/G99) for the grid connection not mentioned or not arranged
- ⚠ Scaffolding not included, or the condition of the roof itself never assessed before mounting 25-year panels on it
- ⚠ The inverter carries a much shorter warranty (5–10 years) than the panels — and replacement labour is not covered
- ⚠ Roof penetrations are not guaranteed watertight on completion
- ⚠ Bird-proofing, monitoring after the free period, or isolator work priced as extras later
- ⚠ VAT charged while solar installations are currently zero-rated in Great Britain
Example questions for your supplier
After our analysis we send you concrete questions to put to the supplier. For example:
- 1 "What annual yield in kWh is this estimate based on, for my actual roof orientation and shading?"
- 2 "Are you MCS-certified, so I qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments?"
- 3 "Who handles the DNO notification or approval, and is it included?"
- 4 "What is the warranty on the inverter, the panels and the installation — separately, including labour?"
- 5 "Are scaffolding, bird-proofing and a roof-condition check included in this price?"
- 6 "Are the roof penetrations guaranteed watertight, and for how long?"
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