Best solar panel installer? — There’s no single winner: Octopus Energy suits smart-tariff homes, Heatable gives the quickest fixed online price, and Solar4Good has the highest Trustpilot score (4.9). Always compare them against a local MCS installer.
Best Solar Panel Installer in the UK: 6 Top-Rated Companies Compared (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Solar4Good has the highest TrustScore on this list, 4.9 from 705 reviews, but also the smallest review base (Trustpilot, checked 24 September 2026).
- Project Solar UK has the most solar-specific reviews at 7,479 (4.6). It offers lifetime panel and inverter product warranties and a 10-year workmanship warranty (Project Solar UK).
- Heatable (4.8 from 14,809 reviews) and Octopus Energy (4.8 from 865,334) score highly, but those reviews cover their whole business, not just solar.
- Sunsave is the only pick here that offers a subscription: from £69 a month over 240 instalments at 8.6% representative APR (Sunsave).
- One 2026 ranking analysed 643 of roughly 4,000 MCS-registered installers (The Eco Experts). Most “best installer” lists cover only a fraction of the market.
- Installers do go bust. Effective Home, which appeared on earlier best-installer lists, ceased trading at the end of June 2026 (FMB).
The “best solar panel installer” depends on what you value most: price, warranty length, a smart tariff, or someone local who will answer the phone in year eight. This guide compares six well-known UK installers on public, checkable data. It also explains when an independent MCS-certified firm down the road is the better choice.
What makes the best solar panel installer?
The best installer is one you can verify, one whose warranty will outlast the company, and one who quotes like-for-like. We judged every pick on six criteria before looking at price.
| Criterion | Why it matters | How to check it |
|---|---|---|
| MCS certification | Needed in practice to claim Smart Export Guarantee payments | MCS Find an Installer |
| Consumer code (RECC/HIES) | Deposit and workmanship-warranty insurance | RECC member search |
| Workmanship warranty | Covers the install itself, not just the hardware | Written quote and insurer name |
| Review volume and quality | A 4.9 from 700 reviews tells you less than a 4.6 from 7,000 | Trustpilot, reading the 1-star replies |
| Transparent pricing | Named panel, inverter and battery brands; cost per kWp | Compare against our UK cost guide |
| Coverage and aftercare | A national brand is only useful if it services your postcode | Postcode check before survey |
How did we choose these solar installers?
We started from three published 2026 rankings (The Eco Experts, ExpertSure and the Federation of Master Builders) and kept installers that appeared on at least two lists, operate nationally or regionally, and are MCS-certified. We then checked every Trustpilot score and review count ourselves on 24 September 2026 and took warranty and price terms from each installer’s own website where available.
Which are the best solar panel installers in the UK?
These are the six installers that performed best against our criteria. Each entry says who it suits and what to double-check before you sign.
1. Octopus Energy: best for smart-tariff households
Best for: solar + battery + export tariffOctopus Energy installs solar and battery storage alongside its own tariffs, which makes it a natural fit if you already use an Octopus smart tariff. Its solar page lists a 25-year panel product warranty and Tesla Powerwall batteries.
- Trustpilot: 4.8 from 865,334 reviews (group-wide, not solar-only)
- Watch out for: prices only appear after a postcode check, and workmanship warranty length isn’t published on the page
2. Project Solar UK: best for warranty length
Best for: long-term peace of mindProject Solar UK has been trading since 2011 and says it has installed 50,000 systems. Its site lists a lifetime panel warranty, a lifetime inverter product warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty, with every system insurance-backed.
- Trustpilot: 4.6 from 7,479 reviews (Trustpilot)
- Watch out for: houses only, with no flats or rental properties. Read what “lifetime” covers, and compare the price against two local quotes
3. Heatable: best for a fixed online quote
Best for: no-sales-visit buyersHeatable prices your system online: you draw around your roof and get a fixed price, with standard installs taking one day (Heatable). It lists MCS, RECC and TrustMark accreditation, a 30-year panel warranty and a 5-year insurance-backed installation warranty.
- Trustpilot: 4.8 from 14,809 reviews (Trustpilot, includes boiler work)
- Watch out for: the separate 12-month workmanship warranty is shorter than some rivals offer. Check which one covers roof leaks
4. Sunsave: best for £0 upfront
Best for: spreading the costSunsave offers an upfront option (a 15% deposit, then the balance after install, with a five-year workmanship warranty) and a Sunsave Plus subscription at £69 a month. The subscription runs for 240 instalments at 8.6% representative APR and includes monitoring and replacement parts. It is MCS- and RECC-certified, a Which? Trusted Trader, and FCA-regulated.
- Trustpilot: 4.7 from 411 reviews (Trustpilot)
- Watch out for: a 20-year credit agreement costs more overall than paying upfront, and some reviewers mention persistent follow-up calls
5. Solar4Good: best-rated by customers
Best for: service-first buyers in its areaSolar4Good has the highest TrustScore here at 4.9. The Eco Experts lists it as founded in 2020 and offering Duracell batteries. ExpertSure puts its coverage in the South and West of England.
- Trustpilot: 4.9 from 705 reviews (Trustpilot)
- Watch out for: it is a younger firm, and a few reviewers mention quote-versus-invoice differences. Get the final price in writing
6. Glow Green: best for solar plus heating
Best for: combined solar and heat-pump projectsGlow Green has been trading since 2011 and does solar alongside boilers and heat pumps, which is useful if you’re planning a solar and heat pump setup. The FMB lists a 30-year panel warranty and 5-year workmanship warranty.
- Trustpilot: 4.5 from 14,424 reviews (Trustpilot, whole business)
- Watch out for: the lowest score on this list. Ask for a solar-specific engineer and a named installer
How do the best solar installers compare side by side?
The table below puts the checkable facts side by side. Trustpilot data was checked on 24 September 2026, and warranties come from each company’s site or the cited ranking.
| Installer | TrustScore (reviews) | Workmanship warranty | Payment options | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 4.8 (865,334, group) | Not published | Upfront; finance | Smart tariffs |
| Project Solar UK | 4.6 (7,479) | 10 years | Upfront; finance (FCA-regulated) | Warranty length |
| Heatable | 4.8 (14,809) | 12 months + 5-yr insurance-backed install | Fixed online price | No sales visit |
| Sunsave | 4.7 (411) | 5 years (Standard) | 15% deposit or £69/month | £0 upfront |
| Solar4Good | 4.9 (705) | 10 years* | Upfront | Customer service |
| Glow Green | 4.5 (14,424) | 5 years* | Upfront; finance | Solar + heating |
*From The Eco Experts and the FMB. Confirm on your written quote.
Is a national installer better than a local MCS installer?
Not necessarily. National installers offer finance, apps and standard packages. A well-established local MCS firm can often match the hardware for less and still be around to service it. With 5,620+ MCS-certified installers listed across all technologies, every “best of” list covers only a small slice of the market.
The fair test is a like-for-like quote. Get one from a national on this list and two from local MCS firms, then compare cost per kWp, named panel models, inverter brand and warranty terms. Our guide to finding a solar panel installer near you walks through the checks step by step.
“More and more households are gaining confidence in the benefits of home-grown energy, and the fact that many are now investing in multiple technologies is testament to this.”— Lisa Cooke, Managing Director, MCS
Which solar panel installer should you pick?
Match the installer to your situation, not to the highest star rating. A 4.9 score won’t help if the firm doesn’t cover your postcode.
If you’re on a smart tariff or want a battery with EV charging later (see solar EV charging), start with Octopus Energy. If warranty length matters most, get a Project Solar UK quote. If you hate sales visits, try Heatable’s online price. If you can’t pay upfront, compare Sunsave Plus against a standard loan before committing to 20 years.
Whichever you choose, the 0% VAT rate on home solar ends on 31 March 2027 and reverts to 5% from 1 April 2027 (House of Commons Library). Allow for survey and installation lead times, as MCS recorded a 14% year-on-year rise in solar installs in the first half of 2026.
“While energy costs continue to hit the headlines, it is no surprise that so many more homes are having solar panels and battery energy storage fitted.”— Chris Hewett, Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK, via MCS
Get a like-for-like benchmark quote
Answer three questions (postcode, roof type, electricity use) for a fixed-price specification you can hold up against any installer on this list. There’s no obligation to buy.
Get a solar quoteBest solar panel installer: frequently asked questions
Who is the best solar panel installer in the UK?
There is no single best installer. On verified Trustpilot data (checked 24 September 2026), Solar4Good scores highest at 4.9 from 705 reviews, Project Solar UK has the most solar-specific reviews at 7,479 (4.6), and Octopus Energy suits households on its smart tariffs.
Is Octopus Energy good for solar panels?
Octopus Energy is a strong option if you want solar and a Tesla Powerwall battery paired with its smart tariffs. Its panels carry a 25-year product warranty, but prices only appear after a postcode check and its 4.8 Trustpilot score covers the whole energy business.
Are national solar installers better than local ones?
Not necessarily. Nationals offer finance and standard packages, while an established local MCS installer can often match the hardware for less. Compare one national quote with two local quotes on cost per kWp and warranty terms.
What warranty should a solar installer offer?
Look for a panel product warranty of at least 25 years, a written workmanship warranty (Project Solar UK offers 10 years, Sunsave Standard 5 years), and insurance backing through RECC or HIES so the warranty survives if the installer stops trading.
Can I get solar panels with no upfront cost?
Yes. Sunsave Plus, for example, costs from £69 a month over 240 instalments at 8.6% representative APR. It is a 20-year credit agreement, so compare the total cost with paying upfront or using a standard loan.
How much does a solar installation cost in 2026?
The Energy Saving Trust puts a typical 4.5kWp home system at around £7,600. Installations on eligible homes are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
Are Trustpilot scores reliable for choosing a solar installer?
They are a useful signal but not proof. Check review volume, whether the reviews cover solar or the whole business, and how the company replies to 1-star reviews, then confirm MCS and RECC or HIES membership yourself.
What happens if my solar installer goes out of business?
Your insurance-backed guarantee should still cover the workmanship warranty, which is why RECC or HIES membership matters. Effective Home, which featured on earlier best-installer lists, ceased trading at the end of June 2026.