Solar is a significant purchase. The market includes excellent installers and companies that cut corners on quality, certification or aftercare. Use this checklist before signing anything.
The most important thing: MCS certification
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the UK's quality standard for small-scale renewables. For solar, MCS certification means:
- The installer is assessed and approved to a defined technical standard
- Your installation receives an MCS certificate — required for SEG payments
- You're covered by MCS's consumer protection framework
- Government grant schemes (Warm Homes Plan, ECO4) require MCS-certified installation
The check that takes 30 seconds
Other certifications that matter
NICEIC / NAPIT approval
Solar involves significant electrical work. Your installer should hold NICEIC or NAPIT approval — both government-authorised electrical competence bodies. Without one, an electrician cannot legally self-certify the work.
TrustMark
The government's quality scheme for home improvement trades. Independently assessed for workmanship, customer service and trading practices.
HIES (Home Insulation & Energy Systems)
Crucial consumer protection: deposit protection up to £2,500 if the installer goes out of business before completing your install. Solar deposits are paid months in advance, so this matters.
Consumer Code for Renewable Energy (RECC)
Governs sales and marketing practices: pre-contract information, sales practices, after-sales support.
Questions to ask before signing
A reputable installer answers all of these directly and without hesitation:
- Are you MCS-certified — can I look you up on the MCS database?
- Are your electricians NICEIC or NAPIT approved?
- Are you TrustMark and HIES registered?
- What panel and inverter brands will you install?
- What warranties cover the panels, inverter and workmanship?
- Who do I call if something goes wrong after install?
- Will you handle the DNO notification and MCS certificate?
- What happens if there is a delay between signing and installation?
- Can you provide references from recent similar installations?
If an installer is vague, dismissive or pressures you to decide quickly — take that as a signal.
Want a no-pressure quote?
Free survey. Written, MCS-compliant quote. No hard sell. We'll give you time to compare.
Ten red flags when getting a solar quote
- No MCS certification — walk away. There's no legitimate reason for an installer to lack it.
- Unsolicited door-knocking — reputable companies don't cold-call.
- Same-day pressure to sign — a sales tactic, not a sign of a good deal.
- No written quote — verbal quotes aren't enough.
- Vague warranty terms — 'manufacturer's warranty applies' is not sufficient.
- No site survey — shading, roof condition and electrics must be assessed in person.
- Unusually low price — quality components cost money.
- No deposit protection — always check HIES registration before paying.
- Claims of 'free' solar that aren't grants — sometimes a lease where you don't own the panels.
- No aftercare or monitoring support — unclear answers now mean no aftercare later.
What Alliant Energy's certification covers
| Certification | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| MCS | Solar, battery and heat pump installation to national quality standard. Required for SEG and grants. |
| NICEIC | All electrical work carried out and certified by NICEIC-approved electricians. |
| TrustMark | Government-endorsed quality scheme. Independently assessed. |
| HIES | Deposit protection up to £2,500. Consumer code covering sales and aftercare. |
| NAPIT | Additional electrical competence registration. |
| RECC | Sales and marketing governed by consumer code. |
