✅ The MCS certificate is one of the best stamps of approval for green technology 

☀️ It covers both solar panels and solar panel installers

➕ There are many benefits to have a certified solar panel installation

📃 It’s not mandatory to have an MCS certificate, but your system should be certified

❌ Be wary of solar panel installers that aren't certified

What is the MCS certificate for solar panels?

🤔 Thinking of going solar? Here's why a larger system makes sense ⬇️

The UK's first solar subscription

Is it mandatory for your solar panels to have an MCS certificate?

Is the MCS certificate easy for installers to get?

What other solar accreditations are important?

Summary

MCS certificate for solar: FAQs

Do you need an MCS certificate for solar panels?

How do I get an MCS certificate?

How much does MCS certification cost?

The MCS certificate for solar panels: an expert guide [2024]

What's in this guide?

The MCS certificate for solar panels: an expert guide

💷 Ground-mounted solar installations cost 15-20% more than rooftop systems

📃 Most ground-mounted systems will need planning permission

🌳 You'll experience more issues with shading

⚡ Only consider a ground-mounted system if your electricity usage is very high

🏠 Rooftop systems make much more sense for most UK homes

What are ground-mounted solar panels?

How much do ground-mounted solar panels cost?

Ground-mounted vs roof-mounted solar panels

How are ground-mounted solar panels installed?

Are ground-mounted solar panels worth it?

Ground-mounted solar panels: FAQs

How long do ground solar panels last?

Can I put solar panels in my garden in the UK?

What are the rules for ground mounted solar panels?

Find out how much ground-mounted solar panels cost and how their requirements differ from roof-mounted solar installations.

Ground-mounted solar panels: are they worth it? [UK, 2024]

Ground-mounted solar panels: are they worth it?

✔️ You can absolutely get solar panels installed on a slate roof

📐 But it’s a longer, more complex process

🛠️ Your installer will remove a few tiles and cut them to fit around the brackets

🚫 Solar flashing will ensure there are no leaks

💷 Slate roof solar installations are typically more expensive

Can you install solar panels on a slate roof?

How are solar panels installed on a slate roof?

Do slate roof solar installations take longer?

Do slate roof solar installations cost extra?

Next steps

Solar panels on slate roofs: FAQs

Can solar panels be placed on a slate roof?

Do you need planning permission to put solar panels on a slate roof?

What is the drawback of putting solar panels on a slate roof?

How does an installer fit solar panels on a slate roof? Here's why it’s a little more complicated, but ultimately worth it.

Solar panels on slate roofs: an expert guide [UK, 2024]

Solar panels on slate roofs: an expert guide

🏠 Solar panels do work on homes with a flat roof – but there are drawbacks

💪 Residential flat roofs typically aren’t strong enough for solar panels

🏢 Most flat roof installations are on large commercial buildings

💷 Flat roof installations can be complex, risky, and expensive

✅ You can get solar panels on a flat roof without planning permission

Get a quote for sloped-roof solar panels

Can you put solar panels on a flat roof?

Difficulties with installing solar panels on a flat roof

Do you need planning permission for solar panels on a flat roof?

What are the benefits of solar panels on a flat roof?

Solar panels on flat roofs: FAQs

Are flat-roof solar panels worth it?

How much space should be between solar panels on a flat roof?

Where is the best place to put solar panels on a roof?

Learn about the difficulties associated with installing solar panels on residential flat roofs, and whether there are any solutions.

Solar panels on flat roofs: explored [UK, 2024]

Solar panels on flat roofs: explored

❌ Solar panels aren’t yet compulsory on new builds

📅 But solar may become mandatory for new developments in 2025

⭐ The EU has already made solar panels on new builds a requirement

Are solar panels on new builds compulsory?

The current problem with solar panels on new builds

Solar panels on new builds: FAQs

Do new builds require solar panels?

Who owns solar panels on new builds?

Do solar panels invalidate NHBC?

Understand the current regulations surrounding solar panels on new builds, and whether they'll change soon.

Solar panels on new builds: what are the rules? [UK, 2024]

Solar panels on new builds: what are the rules?

⚖️ In-roof solar panels are lighter and sleeker than traditional panels

🌞 They work in exactly the same way as rooftop panels

📉 But they have a shorter warranty and are less efficient

💷 It can be complex and expensive to retrofit in-roof solar panels

🏠 In-roof solar panels are usually only worth it if you're replacing your entire roof

Get a quote for on-roof solar panels

What are in-roof solar panels?

What are the pros and cons of in-roof solar panels?

How much do in-roof solar panels cost?

Do you need planning permission for in-roof solar panels?

Are in-roof solar panels worth it?

In-roof solar panels: FAQs

Are there any alternatives to in-roof solar panels?

Can you replace roof tiles with solar panels?

How do I know if my roof will support solar panels?

Discover what in-roof solar panels are, how they differ from traditional solar panels, and whether they're worth installing

In-roof solar panels: are they worth it? UK, 2024]

In-roof solar panels: are they worth it?

🔨 We used seven tests to evaluate more than 2,200 installers

🌞 These solar panel installers are all certified by the five major bodies

👍 All these installers have at least an 88% rating from their customers

What are the best solar panel installers in the UK?

Sign up for Sunsave Plus

How did we choose the best solar panel installers?

Best solar panel installers: FAQs

Who is the best solar panel installer in the UK?

How do you choose a solar panel installer?

How much is the average solar panel installation in the UK?

We’ve thoroughly assessed thousands of solar panel installers with objective measures to find the best options for your home.

The 10 best solar panel installers in the UK [2024]

The 10 best solar panel installers in the UK

🌞 A south-facing roof is best, but it's not the only viable option

💪 Most roofs are strong enough to hold solar panels – but flat roofs can struggle

🌳 A heavily shaded roof may not be suitable for solar panels

🏠 Solar panel installation is much easier if you have a useable loft space

🧰 Spray foam insulation can often cause a problem for solar installers

How to tell if your roof is suitable for solar panels

Roof suitability for solar: FAQs

How do I know if my roof is strong enough for solar panels?

Which roofs are not suitable for solar?

How do I know if my roof is south-facing?

Here's how an installer will decide if your roof is suitable for solar panels, including assessing its direction, usable space, and loft.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels? [UK checklist]

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

🏠 The first step of a solar panel installation is a survey of your property

🛠️ Scaffolding will usually go up four or five days beforehand

🗓️ Most solar panel installations take between one and three days

✅ Solar panels are fixed to your roof without damaging any tiles

💷 After installation, you can sign up for a solar export tariff

The solar panel installation process: explained

The ideal property for solar panels would have a decent amount of space on its roof - typically we look for homes that can manage at least eight panels, but ideally it should be able to fit ten or more. It’s best for a roof to be south-facing, but in some cases it’s actually better with east-west roofs, as you can get more panels on.

Our cable runs are always done very neatly. We choose the shortest path between the solar equipment and the meter, and we conceal the cable in a nice plastic container called ‘trunking’. We will always aim to find a cable run that our customers are satisfied with.

Installing solar panels in alternative places

Can I install solar panels myself?

Solar panel installation: FAQs

How do they attach solar panels to the roof?

How are solar panels connected to the house?

Does solar panel installation include bird protection?

Does a solar panel installation damage your roof?

Do you need scaffolding to install solar panels?

How long does a solar panel installation take?

Will your property have power during a solar panel installation?

Here's how a solar panel installation works from start to finish, and what you should do before and after the installation.

How are solar panels installed? | 11 steps explained

How are solar panels installed?

⬇️ The best direction for solar panels to face in the UK is usually south

📐 The ideal angle for solar panels in the UK is around 35 degrees

🌞 East-facing and west-facing solar panels still work well

🌍 The optimum angle changes as the Earth rotates

🧭 The best direction changes depending on where you are in the world

Why is solar panel angle and orientation important?

What’s the best angle for solar panels?

What’s the best direction for solar panels to face?

North-facing rooftops are traditionally considered unsuitable for solar panels in the UK, but this isn’t necessarily the case anymore - solar panel technology has come a long way in the past couple of decades. If you’re already installing solar on a south-facing, east-facing or west-facing roof and you have an additional roof that faces north, it may be worth adding an array on there too.

What if you don’t have an angled roof for solar panels?

Best angle and direction for solar panels: FAQs

What is the best angle to install solar panels?

Which direction should solar panels face in the UK?

Do I need a south-facing roof for solar panels?

Learn about the optimum set up for rooftop solar panels in the UK to ensure the highest output.

The best angle and direction for solar panels [UK, 2024]

The best angle and direction for solar panels in the UK

Installation