How to Start a Solar Installation Business in the UK (2026 Guide)
The UK solar market is booming. Installations have grown year-on-year since the energy price crisis of 2022, and demand shows no sign of slowing. For electricians, roofers, and construction professionals looking to expand into solar, 2026 is an excellent time to enter the market – but only if you set up correctly from the start.
This guide covers everything you need to launch a solar installation business in the UK: certification, legal structure, insurance, equipment, and finding your first customers.
The UK Solar Market in 2026
Solar PV installations in the UK have accelerated sharply, driven by:
- Persistently high energy prices making solar payback periods shorter
- The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allowing homeowners to sell excess electricity back to the grid
- Growing interest in battery storage alongside solar
- Government net-zero targets driving public awareness
The average UK homeowner is now seriously considering solar – meaning lead volume is strong, and a well-positioned solar business with the right certifications can build a full order book quickly.
Step 1: Understand What You’re Selling
A solar installation business typically offers one or more of:
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) – generates electricity from sunlight. The core product for most installers.
Battery storage – stores excess solar generation for use at night. Increasingly expected alongside solar PV.
EV charging – natural cross-sell for solar customers. Requires separate OZEV/NAPIT certification.
Solar thermal – heats water using solar energy. Less common, different technology and different MCS category.
Most new solar businesses start with solar PV only and add battery storage once established. EV charging is a logical next step with significant upsell potential.
Step 2: Get MCS Certified – The Non-Negotiable
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification is the single most important step for any solar installation business in the UK. Without it, your customers cannot access:
- The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) – payments for electricity exported to the grid
- Various local authority and housing association grants
- Full OZEV grant eligibility for EV charger add-ons
In practice, this means an uncertified installer is virtually unsellable to residential customers. MCS is not legally required to install solar – but commercially, it is.
What MCS certification requires:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualified electrician | 18th Edition minimum, typically NVQ Level 3 |
| Solar-specific training | City & Guilds 2399 or equivalent |
| Company registration | Via an MCS certification body (e.g. NICEIC, Stroma, Napit) |
| Quality management system | Basic documented procedures |
| Insurance | Public liability (£2m min), professional indemnity |
| Site assessment competence | Demonstration of shading analysis, roof assessment skills |
The full process typically takes 8-16 weeks and costs £800-£2,000 depending on your certification body. See mcscertified.com for full details.
Step 3: Electrical Qualifications
Solar PV installation is notifiable electrical work. You must either be, or employ:
- A qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA)
- 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
- City & Guilds 2399 (Solar PV Installation) or equivalent
- City & Guilds 2919 (Battery Storage, if offering this)
If you’re coming from a roofing background rather than electrical, you’ll need to partner with or employ a qualified electrician for the electrical elements – or study for the qualifications yourself.
Step 4: Set Up Your Business Structure
Limited company is strongly recommended for solar businesses. Commercial and housing association clients require it, MCS works more cleanly with a company structure, and the liability exposure on a solar installation gone wrong (roof damage, fire risk from faulty wiring) makes limited liability worth having.
Key registrations: – Companies House – £50 online – HMRC – Corporation Tax, VAT (almost certainly required given typical job values), PAYE if employing – MCS – through your chosen certification body – Competent person scheme – NICEIC, NAPIT etc.
Step 5: Insurance
Solar installation carries specific risks beyond standard electrical work:
| Insurance | Why |
|---|---|
| Public liability (£2m minimum, £5m recommended) | Customer property damage, injury on site |
| Professional indemnity | System design errors, output shortfalls |
| Employers liability | Legally required if you have employees or regular subcontractors |
| Product liability | Covers faulty equipment you’ve supplied and installed |
| Working at height | Ensure your PL policy covers roof work specifically |
Check that your PL policy explicitly covers working at height and solar installation – some general tradesperson policies exclude these.
Step 6: Equipment and Suppliers
You’ll need:
- Scaffolding – either your own (expensive) or a regular subcontractor relationship
- Installation kit – drill, cable routing tools, fixings, DC isolators, meters
- Solar design software – Solaredge Designer, Aurora, or PVSol for system design and shading analysis
- Vehicle – van with secure storage for inverters, cabling, tools
Panel and inverter suppliers: Establish trade accounts with reputable distributors early. Main UK distributors include IronRidge, Segen, and CEF Solar. Compare prices and lead times – supply chain reliability matters when you have install dates committed.
Step 7: Finding Your First Solar Customers
Solar leads come from several routes:
- Google Ads – high intent, expensive (£20-50 per click in solar). Effective once you have reviews to convert leads
- Google Business Profile – essential, free, prioritise getting early reviews
- Lead generation platforms – Checkatrade, Rated People, and solar-specific platforms like GreenMatch
- Referrals – offer a referral incentive (£100-200 cash or bill credit) to every installed customer
- Door knocking – controversial but effective in areas with high solar density
- Local Facebook groups – community and neighbourhood groups respond well to local solar businesses
The solar sales cycle is longer than most trades (2-8 weeks from lead to install). Good follow-up systems matter. A professional quote sent quickly with a clear system design wins more deals than the same system quoted slowly.
Pricing Benchmarks
UK solar installation pricing in 2026:
| System size | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| 3-4kWp (small home) | £5,000-£7,000 |
| 4-6kWp (medium home) | £6,500-£9,500 |
| 6-10kWp (large home / small commercial) | £9,000-£15,000 |
| Battery storage (add-on) | £2,500-£5,000 per unit |
Margins vary widely – typically 20-35% on the full installed price for owner-operator businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a solar installation business? Allow £5,000-£15,000 for setup: MCS certification (£800-2,000), tools and equipment (£2,000-4,000), insurance (£800-1,500/year), business registration, and working capital. If you need solar-specific training courses, add £1,500-3,000.
Do I need to be an electrician to install solar panels? Yes, effectively. Solar PV installation is notifiable electrical work requiring a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme. If you’re not qualified, you must partner with or employ someone who is.
How long does MCS certification take? Typically 8-16 weeks from application to approval, depending on the certification body. NICEIC and NAPIT are the main routes.
Can I install solar panels without MCS certification? Yes – but your customers cannot access the Smart Export Guarantee or most grant funding. This makes you commercially uncompetitive for residential work. For commercial installations where the customer doesn’t need SEG access, uncertified installation is more viable.
Is solar installation a good business in 2026? Yes. Demand is strong, margins are good, and the market is far from saturated outside major cities. The regulatory complexity (MCS, DNO notification, grid connection) creates a natural barrier that keeps out casual competition.
CoreQuote is a quoting and invoice app built for trades businesses including solar installers. Build professional, itemised solar quotes from your phone in minutes. Join the beta free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
Related reading:
