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Sources we use

Where the facts in our guides, key figures and estimator come from, and the lists we check installers against.

Checking installers

Guides

Are solar panels worth it? checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  2. DESNZ: Solar PV cost data
  3. GOV.UK: Households can save as plug-in solar panels come to market
  4. MCS: Irradiance Datasets (kWh/kWp by postcode zone)
  5. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  6. HMRC Brief 10 (2026): Temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in GB
  7. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)

How much do solar panels cost? checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. DESNZ: Solar PV cost data
  2. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  3. Energy Saving Trust: Battery storage
  4. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  5. Citizens Advice: Find an installer for energy efficiency home improvements
  6. RECC: Consumer advice

How much will solar panels save me? checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. MCS: MIS 3002 The Solar PV Standard (Installation) issue 5.0
  2. MCS: Irradiance Datasets (kWh/kWp by postcode zone)
  3. MCS: MGD 003 Solar PV self-consumption guidance
  4. Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges
  5. Octopus Energy: Outgoing Octopus export tariffs
  6. E.ON Next: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  7. EDF: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  8. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  9. NREL/OSTI: Photovoltaic Degradation Rates — An Analytical Review
  10. HMRC Brief 10 (2026): Temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in GB

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) explained checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
  2. Ofgem: SEG guidance for generators
  3. Octopus Energy: Outgoing Octopus export tariffs
  4. E.ON Next: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  5. EDF: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  6. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  7. Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels
  8. Citizens Advice: Find an installer for energy efficiency home improvements

Solar batteries: are they worth it? checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Battery storage
  2. MCS: MGD 003 Solar PV self-consumption guidance
  3. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  4. Octopus Energy: Outgoing Octopus export tariffs
  5. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)
  6. Citizens Advice: Six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit UK shelves

Do I need planning permission for solar panels? checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO 2015 (England) Schedule 2 Part 14
  2. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 (SSI 2024/102)
  3. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2012
  4. legislation.gov.uk: Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015
  5. legislation.gov.uk: Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 s.7
  6. ENA: Distributed Generation Connection Guide – G98 single premises

MCS certification and why it matters checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. MCS: Information for consumers
  2. MCS: MIS 3002 The Solar PV Standard (Installation) issue 5.0
  3. MCS: Guidance for Contracts and Quotations (2026)
  4. MCS: Complaints Policy (2026)
  5. MCS: Becoming certified
  6. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)
  7. Ofgem: SEG guidance for generators
  8. MCS: Find an installer

Choosing a solar installer and comparing quotes checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Citizens Advice: Find an installer for energy efficiency home improvements
  2. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  3. RECC: Consumer advice
  4. MCS: Guidance for Contracts and Quotations (2026)
  5. MCS: MIS 3002 The Solar PV Standard (Installation) issue 5.0
  6. legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
  7. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  8. MCS: Find an installer

VAT on solar panels and batteries checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  2. HMRC Brief 10 (2026): Temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in GB
  3. Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges
  4. Citizens Advice: Find an installer for energy efficiency home improvements

Looking after solar panels: maintenance and cleaning checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  2. NREL/OSTI: Photovoltaic Degradation Rates — An Analytical Review
  3. Trading Standards consumer alerts, March 2026 (parish council relay)

Solar for renters, leaseholders and flats checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels
  2. GOV.UK: Households can save as plug-in solar panels come to market
  3. Citizens Advice: Six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit UK shelves
  4. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO 2015 (England) Schedule 2 Part 14
  5. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)
  6. UK Finance: Solar panels and the Lenders' Handbook

Plug-in solar: the 800 W balcony and garden kits checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels
  2. GOV.UK: Households can save as plug-in solar panels come to market
  3. Citizens Advice: Six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit UK shelves
  4. Citizens Advice: Response to ENA consultation on plug-in micro-generation
  5. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO 2015 (England) Schedule 2 Part 14
  6. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment

Solar scams and pressure selling: how to spot them checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Trading Standards consumer alerts, March 2026 (parish council relay)
  2. RECC: Consumer advice
  3. Citizens Advice: Find an installer for energy efficiency home improvements
  4. Citizens Advice: Six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit UK shelves
  5. legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
  6. MCS: Complaints Policy (2026)
  7. Citizens Advice Scotland: HELMS and Green Deal complaints

Solar for businesses: the basics checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. DESNZ: Solar PV cost data
  2. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  3. legislation.gov.uk: Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
  4. E.ON Next: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  5. EDF: Smart Export Guarantee tariffs
  6. British Gas: Smart Export Guarantee tariff
  7. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO 2015 (England) Schedule 2 Part 14
  8. Scottish Government: Planning Circular 2/2024 non-domestic PDR
  9. ENA: Distributed Generation Connection Guide – G98 single premises
  10. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)

Solar in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: what's different checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
  2. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  3. HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment
  4. HMRC Brief 10 (2026): Temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in GB
  5. Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels
  6. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 (SSI 2024/102)
  7. legislation.gov.uk: GPDO (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2012
  8. legislation.gov.uk: Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015
  9. Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan
  10. Welsh Government: Warm Homes Nest
  11. Power NI: Microgen tariff
  12. Power NI: Solar panel grants and funding in Northern Ireland
  13. UK Finance: Solar panels and the Lenders' Handbook
  14. DESNZ: Solar PV cost data

Solar grants and loans in 2026 checked 9 Oct 2026

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  2. GOV.UK: Warm Homes Plan
  3. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)
  4. GOV.UK: Extending the ECO4 end date – government response
  5. Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan
  6. Welsh Government: Warm Homes Nest
  7. Power NI: Solar panel grants and funding in Northern Ireland

Key figures and the estimator

Maps and postcodes