Installer Directory
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Janet Richardson

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Dec 31, 2024

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Compare Solar Panel Prices in the UK

Here you can Compare Solar Panel Prices and get Solar Panel Quotes

You can contact the nation's installers on this page with a single, simple form and a few clicks. Here you can easily compare solar panel prices and quotes and find the lowest-cost panels. Simply type your postcode into the box below and select one or many local and national, trusted solar panel installers and ask them for a quotation

Using this feature will help ensure you get the best price possible and is designed to save you money. It allows you to pick a local installer that can offer you the best service and the best after-sales support possible. This great free service comes with no obligations and enables you to find the best price on solar panels for you and your planned renewable energy system installation.

  Best Solar Panel Prices 

How to Choose the Best Solar Panels in the UK

Here are some of the most important factors to look at when you’re choosing your solar panels:

Panel efficiency
The efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels is related to the quality of their photovoltaic (PV) cells. A solar panel’s efficiency is measured by how well a panel can capture and convert daylight into usable electricity. The more efficient a solar panel is, the more energy output it will have per amount of light hitting the cell, which will, in turn, take up less surface area to meet your energy requirements. Domestic solar panels typically achieve an efficiency of 16-20%. All solar panels will degrade over their lifespan. The degradation rate is usually between 1 and 2 percent in the first year while a 20-year-old panel will produce approximately 90% of the electricity it produced in the first year. 

Cost
The full cost of a solar panel system and the amount of money you can save on your electricity bill will vary according to the size of your roof, where you live in the UK and the number of panels and power output you require to meet your energy needs. 
Although you will pay a little more for the best solar panels it is worth opting for panels that will last for several years without waning efficiency as it will mean that the return on your investment is more worthwhile. Installing a solar panel system is a significant expense but your choice of solar panels shouldn’t necessarily hinge on their price. The factors we have already mentioned should be taken into account along with reliability and good warranties. 

Warranties
Product Warranty: Manufacturers offer product warranties that are a good indicator of the durability and quality of their panels. This is especially important when you are comparing the different panels available as it highlights the manufacturer's confidence in its product and allows the homeowner to feel secure in their choice.
Performance warranty: Solar panels naturally degrade over time. There is usually a 1-2% efficiency loss in the first year., followed by an annual degradation rate of about 0.2-0.7%. A performance warranty guarantees that the panels will perform as expected. 

Power output
A panel’s output is measured by the amount of energy it can supply to your home in optimal conditions. The average residential solar panel has a power output rating of 250 to 400 watts (W) each per hour and generates around 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day. The more power your system can produce, the more you can reduce your reliance on grid-supplied electricity or even put an end to your dependence entirely.

Durability
To assess durability, take a look at the degradation a solar panel provider says can be expected in the first year. Also, look at the degradation rate expected per year after the first year. Then taking these figures calculate the expected degradation rate after 10 years of owning solar panels

Manufacturer’s reputation and customer satisfaction
Always check the reputation of the manufacturing company. Take a look at the product and company reviews and contact some solar panel owners to gauge how they feel about their solar panel provider.

Sustainable credentials
Check the environmental policies and ethics of solar panel manufacturers. Look for companies that use recycled materials in their production process and don’t use lead or fluoride in their solar panel production.  It makes sense to use these solar panels produced by these companies if you are interested in reducing both pollution and your carbon footprint. 

What to Consider When Comparing Solar Panel Prices and Choosing a Solar Panel Installer

Purchasing solar panels is a significant investment so it is important to make sure that you choose the right installer for you. Choosing the right installer when there are so many claiming that they are the best can be overwhelming. Here are some important factors to consider, to help you through the process of comparing solar panel prices and choosing an installer. 

Quotes
Make sure you get at least three quotes from different installers. This is very easily achieved with our built-in solar panel comparison search feature. Quotes should be tailored to your needs and include everything that's required, like scaffolding or additional roof work. It's important to take the time to compare your quotes and make sure you know what is included in the price. It’s important to avoid any nasty surprises during your solar panel installation. If the installer is offering quality products and services, they shouldn’t need to use high-pressure sales tactics to make you buy their products. If the company providing the quote is putting you under any pressure to make a sale, it is probably best to just walk away from them.

Use our Solar Panel Calculator
If you want to get an idea of the size of the solar PV system you need for your energy requirements before contacting installers use our solar panel calculator which will also give you an estimate of how much you could save on your energy bills. 
You simply need to provide basic information about your home and energy consumption, and we will provide you with a PDF download of the results to help you when you are comparing quotes. 

The calculations are estimated and created to give you an idea of potential savings. However, you will still need a more tailored quote from a qualified industry professional for calculations specific to the site. 

Just click on the link below and follow the instructions set out:
https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/solar-panel-calculator 

Home Visits
You should expect the installers you have contacted to visit your home. Installers will be able to determine the suitability of solar panels for your home and advise you on how energy-efficient your home is and how you can save energy. If an installer is not prepared to take the time to evaluate your specific requirements it is highly likely that you will not get the best installation. 

Accreditation
It is extremely important that the installer you choose is MCS accredited. Microgeneration Certification Scheme accreditation is a quality assurance mark for businesses that install low-carbon or renewable technologies. MCS accreditation is a strong indicator that the solar panel company and its employees are qualified to install your solar panel system. A good solar panel installer would usually be a member of the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) or the Solar Trade Association (STA). If you are using a subcontracting company, you have to make sure that it is also MCS accredited. 

Reputation
It’s a good idea to ask installers to provide you with references and testimonials from previous clients. To ensure you choose the right installer it’s worth doing some online research on the company. You can also talk to neighbours and friends about their experiences or even better talk to previous customers to find out how the installation process was handled. 

Warranties
You should find out what kind of warranty the equipment comes with. The average warranty offered for the solar panels is approximately 20 years. It is likely that if the warranty period is shorter, the panels are of lower quality. Solar batteries and solar inverters have limited guarantees of around 5 to 10 years. Most installers will also provide a workmanship warranty which should be at least for 1 year. 

System specifications
Make sure the system that your installer is suggesting will meet your energy needs. Consider how well the installer is tailoring their solution to your requirements.

Policies
Ask your installer about their working policies, such as how they handle scaffolding. Make sure you carefully read the installer’s terms and conditions so that you know what is and isn’t included in your solar panel package,

Government Incentives
It’s worth checking whether you are eligible for free solar panels through the EC04 grant if you have a low income. The Warm Homes Nest Scheme also offers grants covering up to 100% of the installation costs for low-income households.

Another important government incentive is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which allows households to receive payments for excess electricity they export to the National Grid. You will need to sign up for the SEG tariff with a licensed electricity supplier. The rates offered can differ between SEG licensees. It's worth comparing the different rates before choosing a licensee. 

Solar Panel Price Comparisons & Solar Panel Quotes

Find a local, regional or national trusted solar panel installer from the search list feature below and contact them via the form to compare solar panels. This solar panel comparison element is by far the best way to get the best price as some form of on-site survey will have to be obtained to assess if there will be any non-standard work that may have to be undertaken.

Comparing solar panel prices helps ensure that the price quoted by the installer is the price you end up paying with no hidden costs.

For a home in the UK the standard install size will be 3-4kW and require roughly 25m2 of usable roof space for the installation. This space required can be reduced by choosing higher efficiency panels. You will be looking at a spend of roughly £6000 to £11,000 to cover the cost of the project and there are a variety of ways that solar panles can be funded

System Size (kW) Roof Space (m²) Estimated Cost (£) Estimated Annual Output (kWh) CO² saved over 25 years (tonnes) Estimated First Year Return (with SEG)
2 12-16 3,000 - 4,500 1,700 - 2,000 8-9 £450
4 20-28 5,000 - 6,000 3,400 - 4,200 17-19 £750
6 30-42 7,000 - 9,000 5,100 - 6,300 26-28 £1,100

 

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