Free Solar Panel Quote UK: What to Compare in 2026
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Quick Answer: How Do You Get a Free Solar Panel Quote?
A free solar panel quote normally starts with basic information about your home, including your postcode, property type, roof and electricity use. An installer or comparison service can then estimate an appropriate solar PV system and its likely cost.
Treat an initial online figure as a starting point rather than a guaranteed installation price. A detailed quotation should identify the system size in kWp, exact panel and inverter specification, predicted annual generation, installation work, scaffolding, warranties and important exclusions.
For a major home investment, compare several written quotes on the same basis rather than automatically choosing the lowest price. Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice both recommend obtaining multiple quotations, with Citizens Advice specifically advising at least three.
Free Solar Panel Quote UK: What to Expect and How to Compare Offers
Getting a free solar panel quote is a useful first step if you want to understand whether solar PV makes financial and practical sense for your home.
However, not every solar quote tells you the same thing. One installer may provide a rough online estimate, while another gives a detailed proposal showing the exact panels, system size, expected annual generation, scaffolding, warranties and electrical work.
That difference matters. Energy Saving Trust currently puts the typical cost of an average 4.5kWp domestic solar PV system at around £7,600, but your actual price can change significantly according to roof access, system size, equipment and building requirements.
This guide explains what a good solar panel quote should contain, what information you may need to provide, which figures deserve closer attention and how to compare different quotations fairly.
If you are ready to start comparing options, you can request and compare solar panel installation quotes through Get Free Quote.
What Does a Free Solar Panel Quote Actually Mean?
A “free quote” should mean you can receive pricing information without paying for the quotation itself or being obliged to proceed.
However, the amount of detail can vary.
| Quote stage | What it can tell you | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Online estimate | Approximate system size and price range | Based on limited information |
| Tailored desktop quote | Proposed equipment, layout and generation estimate | Roof and electrics may not yet have been physically checked |
| Survey-backed proposal | Final design, detailed scope and property-specific price | Usually comes later in the buying process |
An early estimate can help you decide whether solar is within budget. The final proposal should be much more specific.
Get Free Quote describes its own service as a comparison and introduction service rather than an installer. Homeowners can provide project details and compare written quotations before deciding whether to proceed.
You can also begin from the Get Free Quote homepage if you are still comparing different home-energy improvements.
What Information Is Needed for a Solar Panel Quote?
You do not need to understand solar engineering before asking for a quote.
Installers will commonly want to know your:
postcode and property type
approximate roof size and orientation
roof covering and condition
annual electricity consumption
daytime electricity-use pattern
interest in battery storage
existing or planned electric vehicle
planned heat pump or other major electrical loads
known shading from trees, chimneys or nearby buildings
Your electricity bills can be particularly useful because system design should consider how much power you actually use.
Roof information matters as well. Energy Saving Trust explains that orientation and shading affect solar generation, although panels can still generate electricity during cloudy conditions.
A desktop assessment may use satellite imagery and the information you provide. Before the final design is agreed, the property should receive an appropriate survey.
What Should a Good Solar Panel Quote Include?
Do not compare quotes using the total price alone.
A useful quotation should let you understand exactly what you are buying and what assumptions sit behind its predicted performance.
| Check | What you should see |
|---|---|
| System size | Total array capacity in kWp and number of panels |
| Solar panels | Manufacturer and exact model |
| Inverter | Brand, model and inverter type |
| Generation | Estimated annual electricity production in kWh |
| Roof design | Proposed layout and relevant shading assumptions |
| Installation | Mounting, cabling, electrical work and commissioning |
| Access | Whether scaffolding is included |
| Battery | Capacity, usable storage and specification if included |
| Paperwork | Relevant MCS, electrical and grid-connection responsibilities |
| Protection | Product, performance and workmanship warranties |
| Price | Total cost and clearly stated exclusions |
| Payment | Deposit and payment schedule |
For further checks on the company behind the proposal, see the guide to comparing UK solar panel installers.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in the UK?
Energy Saving Trust currently estimates around £7,600 for an average 4.5kWp home solar PV installation. That is useful as a benchmark, not a universal price.
Your quote may be higher or lower because of:
the number and specification of panels
inverter choice
battery storage
roof height and access
scaffolding requirements
roof condition
electrical upgrades
mounting complexity
monitoring equipment
additional work requested
Qualifying installations of solar panels in residential accommodation are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. Under current HMRC rules, installations of qualifying energy-saving materials are due to return to the reduced 5% VAT rate from 1 April 2027.
Your quotation should state the VAT treatment being applied.
Is the Cheapest Solar Panel Quote the Best?
Not necessarily.
Imagine one installer quotes £6,800 and another quotes £7,400. The first looks cheaper until you discover that scaffolding, an electrical upgrade and bird protection are excluded.
The second quotation may represent better overall value.
Similarly, two systems with the same number of panels are not necessarily equivalent. One installer might specify twelve 500W panels while another proposes twelve 440W panels.
Compare the complete system capacity, expected annual generation and final installed scope.
If equipment differences are confusing, the 2026 UK solar panel comparison guide explains panel efficiency, wattage and warranty considerations in more detail.
Check the Generation Estimate Carefully
A predicted solar output is an estimate, not a guarantee.
The calculation should consider factors such as:
your location
roof orientation
roof pitch
shading
array capacity
equipment losses
A larger predicted generation figure is not automatically better if the assumptions behind it are unrealistic.
Ask each provider to explain both the expected annual generation in kWh and the system’s installed capacity in kWp.
Energy Saving Trust also provides a solar panel calculator that can provide an independent starting estimate based on your property and electricity use.
Should Your Quote Include a Solar Battery?
Only if a battery suits your energy use and objectives.
Ask for separate solar-only and solar-plus-battery prices where possible. That makes it easier to see the additional cost and judge whether storage provides enough value.
Battery economics depend on more than the amount of solar electricity generated. Important factors include:
usable battery capacity
when your household consumes electricity
electricity import tariffs
export tariffs
battery efficiency
warranty conditions
whether backup power is included
A household that uses little electricity during daylight hours may store more surplus solar energy than somebody who works from home throughout the day.
The battery should therefore be sized around realistic consumption rather than simply adding the largest model available.
Can You Get Paid for Excess Solar Electricity?
Eligible households in Great Britain can receive payments for electricity exported to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Ofgem explains that eligible solar PV installations can apply to a SEG licensee, and the export supplier does not have to be the company that supplies your normal household electricity. Tariff rates and contract terms vary, so consumers can shop around.
Your quotation should make it clear which post-installation documents will be provided and what you will need when arranging an export tariff.
Do not treat assumed export income as guaranteed. Check the export rate used in any savings calculation.
Should You Use an MCS-Certified Installer?
Energy Saving Trust recommends choosing installers and systems certified through MCS, the recognised UK quality-assurance scheme for small-scale renewable technologies.
Check the company’s current status through the official MCS Find an Installer service rather than relying only on a logo shown on a salesperson’s website.
Certification is one check, not a substitute for comparing the whole proposal. Review company details, warranties, insurance, payment terms and aftercare as well.
Citizens Advice recommends getting at least three quotations and warns consumers to be cautious about unrealistic savings claims and unusually cheap offers.
What Happens After You Request a Quote?
The first proposal is normally followed by further checks before installation.
A typical project moves from initial assessment to site survey, final design, any required grid checks, scaffolding, installation, commissioning and handover.
The physical installation itself may only take a few days, but the whole project takes longer because design, access and network requirements need to be dealt with first.
For a detailed explanation, see the solar panel installation process.
Solar Quote Warning Signs
Take extra care if a provider:
pressures you to sign immediately
offers a large discount that expires the same day
will not identify the exact equipment
gives savings without explaining the assumptions
promises a precise payback before understanding your energy use
leaves major installation items out of the written quote
cannot explain warranty coverage
avoids questions about certification or paperwork
A professional quotation should make comparison easier, not make you feel rushed.
How to Compare Free Solar Panel Quotes
Start by giving each provider broadly the same information about your home and electricity use.
Then compare the proposed array size, annual generation, equipment, battery specification, installation scope and warranty terms.
Look for differences rather than simply comparing the total price.
If one quote predicts substantially higher output, ask why. If one is substantially cheaper, identify what has been removed or changed.
Most importantly, do not make your final decision from an online estimate alone. The final system design should reflect your roof, electricity use and relevant electrical requirements.
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A free quote should not carry a quotation fee or require you to accept the installation. Check the provider's terms before submitting your details.
Getting at least three quotations gives you a useful basis for comparing price, design and scope. Citizens Advice also recommends obtaining at least three installer quotes.
Energy Saving Trust currently gives around £7,600 as the typical installed cost of an average 4.5kWp domestic system. Individual quotes vary.
An online quote can provide a useful estimate. A final price should reflect a more detailed property assessment and the confirmed installation scope.
Not always, but annual consumption data helps an installer understand your electricity demand and model the system more realistically.
Ideally, yes. Ask for manufacturer and model numbers so you can check output, dimensions and warranties.
The quotation should clearly state whether scaffolding is included or excluded. Access requirements can materially affect the final price.
No. Compare total array capacity in kWp, expected annual generation and panel specifications as well as panel count.
Qualifying installations are currently zero-rated until 31 March 2027 under existing HMRC rules. The reduced 5% rate is scheduled to apply from 1 April 2027.
Eligible installations in Great Britain can receive export payments through Smart Export Guarantee tariffs. Rates and contract conditions depend on the supplier.
Ask for both solar-only and solar-plus-battery prices where practical. A battery's value depends on electricity use, tariff structure, capacity and cost.
MCS is a UK quality-assurance scheme for small-scale renewable technologies and installers. Energy Saving Trust recommends choosing MCS-certified installers and systems.
Not automatically. Compare equipment, system output, scaffolding, electrical work, warranties, exclusions and aftercare before judging value.
Validity varies between providers. Check the written quotation because equipment prices, labour costs and promotional terms can change.
The process normally moves through detailed survey and design, relevant grid checks, installation, testing, commissioning and handover documentation.
Conclusion
A free solar panel quote should give you enough information to understand both the likely cost and what you will receive for that money.
The strongest quotations clearly identify the equipment, total system size, expected annual generation, installation work, scaffolding, warranties, paperwork and exclusions. They also explain the assumptions behind savings rather than relying on headline figures.
Use typical UK costs as a benchmark, but expect your final price to depend on the property and specification.
When you are ready, compare several written offers on a like-for-like basis. Get Free Quote can help you explore suitable providers and quotations without obliging you to accept one.
