SOLAR BUYER GUIDE
Understanding Solar Quotations
A strong solar quotation should make the proposed system, site assumptions, expected generation, price and protections easy to verify. A headline saving is not a specification.
Reviewed 10 August 2026 · Independent household decision support
System details to identify
- Panel manufacturer, exact model, quantity and product warranty
- Total array capacity in kWp
- Inverter manufacturer, model, capacity and warranty
- Mounting system, scaffolding, monitoring and electrical work
- Any battery, optimiser, bird protection or roof work
Generation and savings
Ask for the annual generation estimate, shading and orientation assumptions, self-consumption assumption, import tariff, export rate and degradation treatment. Compare like with like rather than comparing headline savings alone.
Price and paperwork
- VAT and every compulsory cost
- Deposit and staged payment dates
- Grid application responsibility
- Commissioning documents and warranties
- Relevant certification details
Useful independent checks
MCS describes itself as the UK quality mark for small-scale renewable technologies and provides consumer information about solar installations. Verify claims independently rather than relying on a logo in a quotation.
Use this guide
Keep important answers in writing and make sure they appear in the final contract.
Start a free quotation check →
QuoteGuardian content is general information—not financial, legal or engineering advice.
Related guidance
- MCS solar consumer information — External specialist resource
- PowerGuardian household energy guidance — External specialist resource
- EnergySector UK market coverage — External specialist resource