From Survey to Sunshine: The Solar Installation Journey

Making the switch to solar energy is a streamlined process designed to transition your home to clean power with minimal disruption. From the initial expert assessment to the final generation of free electricity, here is how your installation unfolds.

Row of traditional red-brick terraced houses in the UK representing typical older housing stock.

Are Solar Panels Right for Your UK Home?

While the UK isn’t known for constant sunshine, solar PV systems are incredibly efficient in our climate, even on overcast days. If you are wondering if your property is a candidate for renewable energy, consider these four key factors:

Roof Orientation:

South-facing roofs are the gold standard for maximum energy yield. However, East and West-facing roofs are still highly effective, often capturing enough energy to power a home throughout the morning and evening.

Shade Interference:

To maximise your Return on Investment (ROI), your panels should have “clear sky” access. Minimal shading from trees or chimneys ensures consistent voltage and higher efficiency.

Roof Space:

Generally, the more surface area you have, the more electricity you can generate.

Planning Permission:

Most UK installations do not require planning permission, but it’s always worth checking if you live in a conservation area.

The table below provides a rough estimate of how many panels you might need based on your home size.

House type	Estimate of number of panels	Potential energy impact
Mid-terrace	6	Ideal for lighting and small appliances
End-terrace/semi-detached	8	Significant reduction in grid reliance
Small detached	12	High offset for family homes
Large detached	16	Maximum savings and battery charging
Source: Energy Saving Trust

What does solar panel installation involve?

The Planning and Design Stage

The journey begins with a detailed consultation and site assessment. Solar experts evaluate your property’s suitability by analysing roof orientation and measuring available space to ensure maximum sunlight capture. During this phase, technicians also identify potential shading from trees or chimneys and verify that your roof’s structure is strong enough to support the new system. Most domestic solar projects fall under “permitted development,” meaning they rarely require complex planning permission.

How are solar panels installed?

The Installation Phase

Once the design is finalised, the physical installation is remarkably quick, typically taking between one and three days. Most of the work occurs on the roof or in non-living areas like the loft or garage. The team fits the mounting system, installs the panels, and sets up the inverter—the “brain” of the system that converts solar energy into usable power for your appliances. To ensure high standards, you will receive an MCS certificate upon completion, which serves as a formal mark of quality and safety.

Installing the solar panel system

Scaffolding:

We typically install the scaffolding over the course of one full day. This ensures our team has safe, secure access to your roof, leaving everything ready for your installation to begin the following morning.

Brackets:

Brackets will then be fixed to the roof, which keep the solar panels in place.

Mounting:

The solar panels are then mounted to the brackets.

Connection:

The inverter, part of the solar panel system, is connected to your home’s electrical system, converting the DC electricity to usable AC electricity.

Storage:

If you chose to have battery storage or PV diverters, this is when they will be installed.

Can I install solar panels myself?

Whilst it’s not illegal to install your own solar panels, you will need a qualified electrician to connect the panels to your electrical system. It’s always best to trust a MCS-certified installer for painless set up, and to qualify for any export payments.

Enhancing and Maintaining Your System

You can boost your energy independence by adding a solar battery to store daytime energy for night use or an immersion heater to provide solar-heated water. Once your system is live, it is built to last around 30 years. Maintenance is simple, requiring only basic annual visual checks and a professional technical service every five years to ensure your home continues to generate power at its peak potential.

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