For a 10-panel system professionally fitted in the UK, you’re looking at between £4,500 and £6,500 all in. That should cover everything: scaffolding, mounting, electrical work, and your MCS certificate.
Most installers (us included) quote a single price rather than breaking out labour, materials, and overheads separately. Here’s what actually goes into that number and what to watch for when you’re comparing quotes.
What Happens on Install Day?
Fitting solar panels is a two-trade job. You’ve got roofing work and electrical work. A qualified installer handles both, and for a standard 10-panel system we’ll usually have it done in a single day.
Here’s the rough order of things:
- Scaffolding goes up for safe roof access
- Mounting rails get fixed to your roof rafters
- Panels attach to the rails
- DC cabling runs from the panels down to where the inverter sits
- The inverter gets connected and integrated with your consumer unit
- We commission and test the whole system
Once the job’s done, your installer registers the system with the MCS and notifies your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). That’s a legal requirement. You’ll get an MCS installation certificate, and you’ll need that to register for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Getting a Fair Quote
Get at least two or three written quotes from MCS-certified installers. That MCS certification mark tells you the installer meets industry standards for quality and safety, and it’s required for Smart Export Guarantee eligibility.
Here’s the thing we see a lot: quotes that look cheaper on paper but leave bits out. Make sure each quote includes the same elements: panels, inverter, all hardware, cabling, scaffolding, electrical work, commissioning, certification, and DNO notification. If one quote is suspiciously low, check what’s missing.
Check the warranty terms too. Panels should come with a 25-year performance warranty and a separate product warranty of at least 10 years.
Red Flags
High-pressure sales tactics. “Today only” discounts. Door-to-door salespeople.
Walk away from all of that. A reputable installer is confident in their product and pricing and won’t pressure you into a same-day decision.
Very low prices deserve a closer look as well. A quote well below the market range may mean cheaper-specification panels, non-MCS certification, or costs that’ll appear later. In my experience, if a price looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Always ask for a written specification before agreeing to anything. That means the make and model of the panels and inverter, system output in kWp, and the full itemised cost.
What About VAT?
This is the good bit. Residential solar installations in the UK are charged at 0% VAT. That covers the full installation (panels, inverter, and labour) and saves you a big chunk compared with the standard 20% rate that used to apply.
The 0% rate is confirmed government policy for the foreseeable future. Honestly, it makes now a particularly good time to invest.
We provide clear, itemised quotes with no hidden costs and no pressure. Visit amprenewables.co.uk to request yours.