How to choose a solar installer
The two checks that matter most are MCS certification and membership of a consumer code such as RECC or HIES. Between them they cover the quality of the work, your deposit and what happens if something goes wrong. Then compare written quotes properly, and walk away from anyone who pressures you to sign.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Check first
MCS certified
Needed to be paid for exported power under the Smart Export Guarantee.
Deposit
25% at most
The consumer code limit, and it should be insured.
Right to cancel
Usually 14 days
If you sign a contract at home or online.
Check 1: MCS certification
MCS is the UK’s quality mark for renewable energy installations such as solar panels. MCS-certified installers must follow its installation standards and use products tested to its product standards.
It also affects your income. To be paid for the electricity you export under the Smart Export Guarantee, your installation must be MCS-certified (Ofgem). Once the work is done, you should receive an MCS certificate for your installation. Keep it safe.
Check 2: a consumer code
Most MCS installers belong to a consumer code approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The two main ones for solar are RECC (the Renewable Energy Consumer Code) and HIES (Home Insulation and Energy Systems). Both require members to:
Cap and protect your deposit
25% maximum
RECC members should take no more than 25% of the contract price up front, insured. HIES members must not take more than 25% or £5,000, whichever is lower.
Give an insurance-backed workmanship warranty
At least 2 years
This covers the installation if the installer goes out of business. Both codes require at least two years of cover.
Offer independent dispute resolution
Independent service
If a complaint can’t be settled with the installer, you can take it to an independent service.
RECC also sets out clear rules on quotes, performance estimates, cancellation and sales pressure, covered below. Check membership on the RECC or HIES website, not just a logo on a van.
What a proper quote should include
Under the RECC code, quotes must be in writing, and the installer must give you a written estimate of how your system will perform at your property. Any estimate of savings should be based on your own energy use, or the assumptions should be clearly sourced. A good quote also includes:
• the number, make and model of panels, the inverter and any battery
• the system size in kW and the estimated yearly generation in kWh
• where the panels will go, and how they will be fixed
• scaffolding, bird protection, electrical work and any meter changes
• the grid notification or application to your network operator
• the total price including VAT, the deposit and when payments are due
• the manufacturer warranties and the workmanship warranty
• an expected start date and how long the work will take
RECC suggests getting at least three quotes. Compare like with like: the cheapest quote may use smaller panels or leave out items another quote includes.
Questions to ask
• Are you MCS-certified, and which consumer code do you belong to?
• Who will do the installation: your own staff or subcontractors?
• Will you survey the roof in person before giving a final price?
• What assumptions did you use for my savings estimate?
• How is my deposit protected, and who provides the insurance-backed warranty?
• Can I speak to, or see photos from, recent customers nearby?
• If my home is listed or in a conservation area: have you handled the planning side before?
Warning signs
The RECC code bans these sales tactics. Treat any of them as a reason to walk away:
• a discount that only applies if you sign today
• a high price that drops sharply during the visit
• a price you only learn at the end of a long visit
• claims that a product or offer is about to run out
• a salesperson who stays for more than two hours without good reason
Also be wary of any deposit above 25%, an installer you can’t find on the MCS search, or savings figures that don’t explain their assumptions.
Your right to cancel
If you sign a contract at home or online, you usually have 14 days to cancel. Under the RECC code, if you want work to start within those 14 days you must agree in writing, and if you then cancel you pay for any work already done. If you’re paying with finance, the 14 days run from when you receive the finance documents.
What you should get at the end
• your MCS certificate
• the manufacturer warranties for the panels, inverter and any battery
• the insurance-backed workmanship warranty
• confirmation that your network operator has been notified
• instructions for the system, including how to check it’s working
• an electrical installation certificate for the new circuit
With your MCS certificate and a smart or export meter, you can then apply for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Rates vary between suppliers, so compare before you apply.
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Frequently asked questions
A few things worth knowing before you start.
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SOURCES
Where this guide’s information comes from
Last reviewed 21 October 2026. Codes and schemes change, so check the sources below before you act.