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 the HIES code. 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 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 registered. Own teams. Written warranties. Honest projections. Deposit protected.
How Alliant measures up against this list
- MCS registered — 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 the HIES complaints process 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 publishes 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.
