Solar panel installation: a step-by-step guide

1. Decide if solar panels are right for you
2. Check your options for funding
3. Find a solar panel installer
4. Design and planning
5. Installing the solar panel system
6. Post-installation support
7. Register for solar-friendly energy tariffs

The good news is that solar panels are suitable for almost every kind of home in any part of the UK. They even work on cloudy days. 

It’s true, though, that some solar  panel setups are more effective than others. Here are some important questions to ask yourself before installing solar panels: 

Which direction does my roof face? 

Solar panels generate the most electricity when they face south because they’re able to capture as much sunlight as possible. But there’s more to solar that just overall power output. 

South-facing panels might produce the most electricity overall, but that doesn’t mean solar isn’t worth it if your roof faces east or west. In fact, these orientations can still deliver strong performance and might even suit your energy habits better. 

East-facing panels generate more electricity in the morning, while west-facing panels do better in the afternoon and early evening. So, if you tend to use more power during those times, you could make better use of your solar energy as it’s being produced. 

We don’t recommend installing panels on roofs that face north – you won’t get enough sunlight to make it worth your while. 

How much shading does my roof get? 

Shading on solar panels usually comes from:

• trees
• chimneys
• nearby buildings

While the direction your roof faces plays a role in how much electricity your panels can generate, shading can have an even bigger impact. For example, a south-facing roof that’s shaded during the day may generate less power than an east- or west-facing roof with full sun exposure.  

Solar panel installers will assess how shading affects your roof throughout the day and across different seasons. The goal is to avoid shaded areas as much as possible and place panels where they’ll get the most consistent sunlight. 

If shading is unavoidable, your installer might recommend microinverters or power optimisers. These let each panel work independently. So if one panel is shaded, it won’t drag down the performance of the whole system. 

If there are trees causing partial shade and it’s possible to trim them back, your installer may suggest that too. They should guide you based on what will make the most difference. 

How many solar panels can I fit? 

The bigger your roof, the more solar panels you can fit on it. And the more solar panels you have, the more clean, free electricity you can generate. 

Here’s a rough guide to how many panels typically fit on different types of houses: 

• Mid-terrace house: four panels 
• End-terrace or semi-detached house: eight panels 
• Small detached house: 12 panels 
• Large detached house: 16 panels 

There are no dedicated government grants for solar panels in the UK. 

You might have the offer of solar panels as part of a package of upgrades for certain financial support schemes. But these depend on where you live and whether you get any benefits. 

 If you’re looking for help with the cost of solar panels, there are a few options available to you: 

Energy supplier schemes 

Get in touch with your energy supplier and ask if they offer help with the cost of solar panel installation.  

Some energy companies will offer solar panel funding if you sign up to one of their tariffs. So, if you’re able to switch energy supplier, you may be eligible for some financial help with your solar panels. 

Solar panel subscriptions 

This is a relatively new kind of scheme. Solar panel subscriptions let you install a solar panel system (with or without battery storage) and spread the cost over several years. Rather than paying for the installation upfront, you’d make regular monthly payments. 

There are a few companies that offer solar panel finance options like this. Make sure you get independent financial advice before you sign up to any kind of financing. 

We recommend you look for solar panel installers who are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).  

MCS is a government-backed quality scheme that ensures installers are qualified and work in line with the scheme’s high standards. 

You can find MCS-certified installers near you using its ‘find an installer’ tool. Search using your postcode or your region. Under ‘what would you like installed’, select ‘Solar PV’ to find solar panel installers. 

We recommend getting quotes from at least three different installers to make sure you’re getting the best value. 

Your solar panels being installed by an MCS-certified installer may be a requirement to sign up for export tariffs. 

Before installation, an assessor will come and look at your roof to make sure it’s safe to hold the solar panels. They’ll also design your solar panel system to make it as efficient as possible, based on your roof setup and how much space you have. 

Most homes don’t need planning permission to install solar panels. But you may need it if your home is: 

• a listed building 
• in a conservation area 

If you’re not sure, check with your local planning office. 

This is also the time to ask the right questions and make sure you understand what you’re signing up for. Getting multiple quotes is a great idea and so is asking each installer to explain their approach. Here are a few questions to consider asking each installer: 

• What electricity price are you using to estimate savings? 
• How much of the energy will I likely use myself, vs. export to the grid? 
• How are you accounting for shading or roof orientation? 
• What warranties do you offer — for the panels, inverter, and installation? 

Taking time to understand the details can give you confidence that you’re getting a system that genuinely fits your home and lifestyle. 

The day has arrived! 

Your installer should take one to two days to install your solar panels. This involves: 

• Putting up scaffolding: They might do this a few days before the installation date. 
• Fixing brackets to your roof: These are what keep the solar panels in place.
• Mounting the solar panels to the brackets. 
• Connecting the inverter to your home’s electrical system: The inverter turns the DC electricity from the panels into AC electricity to use in your home. 
• Installing any battery storage or PV diverters: These let you use more of the electricity your panels generate by storing it for later or using it to power an immersion heater. 

How much disruption does it cause? 

There’s minimal disruption involved with installing solar panels. Once the scaffolding is up, the actual installation tends to be straightforward. The installer may need to turn your power off briefly to connect the panels to your home’s electricity, but that’s it. 

Can I install solar panels myself? 

We don’t recommend trying to install solar panels yourself. It’s best to use a qualified solar panel installer who’s certified with a scheme like MCS. Even though you’re legally allowed to install the actual panels yourself, you still need to: 

• Get a qualified electrician to connect the panels to your electrical system.
• Use an MCS-certified installer to qualify for any export payments. 

Once the panels are up, your installer will run some tests to make sure everything’s working. They should also guide you through checking how much electricity the panels are generating.  

The installer will also register your solar panel system (and any battery storage) with your District Network Operator (DNO). This is important to make sure the grid can handle the extra electricity that’s being generated. 

What if I move somewhere that already has solar panels? 

Solar panels are becoming more common, so it’s getting more likely that you’ll move into a home that already has them. 

For more information, read our guide on buying a house with solar panels. 

Once you’re all set up, it’s worth signing up to an export tariff. This lets you sell any unused electricity back to the grid and earn a bit of money in the process.

You probably won’t be able to use all the electricity your panels generate, especially if you’re out during the day and don’t have battery storage. Without an export tariff, that extra energy still goes to the grid, but your energy company won’t pay you for it. An export tariff ensures you’re compensated for what you’re contributing. 

In Great Britain, most energy suppliers are required to offer an export tariff under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). To sign up, you’ll usually need a smart meter and proof that your solar installation is certified. It’s a fairly simple process, and your installer can often help get you started.  

If you live in Northern Ireland, read the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation. 

You don’t have to use the same company for your export and import tariffs. But some suppliers offer better rates if you bundle both, so it’s worth shopping around and comparing your options. 

Some energy suppliers also offer solar-specific energy tariffs, especially if you have solar panels and battery storage. 

These usually combine an export tariff with a smart time of use tariff. Time of use tariffs offer different electricity prices based on peak and off-peak times.  

Usually, to be eligible for these solar-specific tariffs, you need: 

• Battery storage as well as solar panels.
• To get your energy from that supplier.