Outright fraud is rare in UK solar. More common: legitimate-but-poor installers that skip MCS, overstate returns, use low-grade components, or vanish on aftercare. These ten flags filter them out.
The 10 red flags
Red flag 1
'Today only' pricing or artificial urgency
High-pressure tactics are prohibited under RECC and HIES codes. An installer using them either isn't a member, or is breaching the code. Legitimate offers are in writing, have a clear end date, and don't require an immediate verbal commitment.
Red flag 2
No MCS certification
Any installer who can't confirm their current MCS certification — or who suggests it isn't important — is disqualified. Verify at mcscertified.com before proceeding.
Red flag 3
Significantly below-market pricing
Solar prices have a floor. A complete 8-panel + battery system for under £4,500 is almost certainly cutting corners on components, certification, insurance, or workmanship. Ask for an itemised breakdown and compare line by line.
Red flag 4
No physical address or limited company presence
Check Companies House (free). A company with no record, mobile only and a recently registered domain is operating with minimal accountability.
Red flag 5
Requesting full payment upfront
A 10–25% deposit is normal. Full payment before installation begins is not. For deposits above £2,000, check HIES/RECC membership for deposit protection.
Red flag 6
No site survey before quoting
Roof orientation, pitch, shading and electrical infrastructure all affect cost. Quoting without seeing the property is guesswork — or a hidden margin to cover surprises.
Red flag 7
Vague or missing warranty information
A proper quote specifies warranties per component: panels (25–30 years performance), inverter (10 years), battery (10 years / 6,000 cycles), workmanship. 'Industry standard warranties' isn't an answer.
Red flag 8
'Free' solar panels or zero-cost claims without explanation
Truly free panels exist via ECO4 / Warm Homes Plan for eligible households. 'Free' offered without eligibility check, or 'free' that turns out to be a 20–25 year lease/PPA, is something else entirely. Be sceptical.
Red flag 9
No aftercare or support contact
Ask before signing: who do you contact if something goes wrong? Is there a specific aftercare number, named contact, and guarantee period?
Red flag 10
Exaggerated return promises
Solar reduces bills — it doesn't 'eliminate' them. Any installer promising zero bills, or quoting implausibly high savings without showing assumptions, is overstating returns.
Honest projections
Want a quote that ticks every box?
MCS certified. Own teams. Written warranties. Honest projections. Deposit protected.
How Alliant measures up against this list
- MCS certified — verify at mcscertified.com
- NICEIC approved, TrustMark registered, HIES member
- Own installation teams — no subcontracting
- Registered limited company — searchable on Companies House
- Free survey before confirming a fixed price
- Full written warranty details on every quote
- Clear aftercare — Nelson, Lancashire base, local phone number
- Honest projections with assumptions clearly stated
- No pressure selling — 'no hard sell' is a company policy
- Deposit protection through HIES membership
Frequently asked questions
I've already signed a contract and I'm concerned — what now?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations you have a 14-day cooling-off period for contracts signed at home or online. If outside that, review the contract terms. Citizens Advice, Trading Standards, and HIES/RECC complaints processes can help if you believe you've been misled.
Is there a register of bad solar installers?
No single register. Trading Standards holds complaint records; HIES and RECC publish disciplinary outcomes; Trustpilot and Google give a partial picture. Installers removed from MCS appear on mcscertified.com.
How common are solar scams in the UK?
Outright fraud is rare. More common are poor-quality installers who skip MCS, overstate returns, use low-quality components or fail on aftercare. The checks in this article filter these out.
