How to get solar quotes: the three routes that keep you in control
Solar is a big purchase and the market is full of hard-sell. These are the three routes that keep you in control — all MCS-based, none a lead-gen middleman — plus what to sort before you ask for a price.
By Tom Calder · Updated 22 September 2026
There's no universal 'free solar' grant, but there is 0% VAT until 31 March 2027 and export payments via the Smart Export Guarantee. See the grants, SEG & VAT, explained →
MCS-certified local installers
Find accredited solar and battery installers near you on the official MCS register, then ask three for a survey and quote. MCS certification is required for export payments, so this keeps you on the right side of both quality and the SEG.
Find MCS installers near youOfficial MCS register — free, not an ad.
Solar Together group-buying
If your council runs it, register free and with no obligation. Vetted installers compete in a reverse auction to set one group price, and you get a personalised recommendation you can simply walk away from. Low hassle, no sales pressure.
Check Solar TogetherCouncil-run, in partnership with iChoosr.
A national online installer
A national firm gives you an online estimate from a few questions, surveys your home before confirming the price, then installs and registers the system. It makes a useful benchmark against local quotes. Heatable was on the MCS register when we checked on 10 September 2026 (NAPIT, NAP-68602), but look any installer up yourself before you sign.
The installer will offer finance on its own pages; compare the cash price, and treat any credit as a separate decision.
The MCS register and Solar Together links are not affiliate links. If you request a quote from the national installer through our link, the firm may pay us a fee, at no cost to you; it never changes which routes we recommend, and the free register comes first. We don't link to lead-generation middlemen, and we don't promote solar finance or '£0 upfront' subscription deals ourselves: those are regulated products, best approached with independent advice.
Before you get quotes
- 1Check the roof is a good fit first
South-facing and unshaded is ideal; heavy shade or a north-facing main roof badly hurts the economics. If the roof needs re-covering soon, do that first — or fit the panels during the roof job to share the scaffolding.
- 2Use an MCS-certified installer
MCS certification is required to claim Smart Export Guarantee payments and is the mark of a properly-accredited install. Every route below is MCS-based. Get three quotes and compare the system design, not just the price.
- 3Decide on a battery — and whether you want blackout backup
A battery lets you use more of your own solar, but doesn't always pay for itself, and a standard one won't power your home in a cut. If keeping the lights on matters, you must specify backup (EPS) up front.
- 4Mind the 0% VAT deadline
Solar and batteries are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, reverting to 5% after. It won't change your decision, but it's worth factoring into timing if you're close.
Common questions
How do I get quotes for solar panels?
Three routes: find MCS-certified installers near you with the official MCS register and ask three for a quote; register for your council's Solar Together group-buying round, where vetted installers compete to set one group price; or get an online estimate from a national installer, which surveys your home before confirming the price. Make sure any installer is MCS-certified — it's required for export payments.
Is Solar Together cheaper than getting my own quotes?
Sometimes. Solar Together uses a reverse auction so installers compete on price, and it removes the legwork and sales pressure — but it won't always beat every individual quote. It's a good, low-hassle benchmark to compare your own quotes against.
Should I use a solar finance or subscription deal?
Be cautious. Solar finance and '£0 upfront' subscription products are regulated financial products, and solar was widely mis-sold on finance in the past. Buying outright avoids the trap; if you're considering finance, get independent advice and never rely on a salesperson's savings projection.
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