How to get solar quotes: the two trustworthy routes

Solar is a big purchase and the market is full of hard-sell. These are the two routes that keep you in control — both MCS-based, neither a lead-gen middleman — plus what to sort before you ask for a price.

By Tom Rowland · Updated 21 July 2026

A solar installer's roof survey paperwork and hard hat on a table

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 →

Route 1 · Recommended

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 you

Official MCS register — free, not an ad.

Route 2 · No hard-sell

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 Together

Council-run, in partnership with iChoosr.

We point only to the official MCS register and council-run Solar Together — not lead-generation middlemen, and never to solar finance or '£0 upfront' subscription deals (those are regulated products best approached with independent advice). We may earn a commission from some links elsewhere on the site, but not from these routes.

Before you get quotes

1
Check 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.
2
Use 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.
3
Decide 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.
4
Mind 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.

Are solar panels worth it? →Solar in a power cut →

Common questions

How do I get quotes for solar panels?

Two trustworthy routes: find MCS-certified installers near you with the official MCS register and ask three for a quote; or register for your council's Solar Together group-buying round, where vetted installers compete to set one group 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.

Get the solar quote checklist

The questions to ask every installer, plus a heads-up if grant, export-tariff or VAT rules change. No noise, no sales calls.