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Here are the ten warning signs that should make you pause — or walk away entirely.", "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/assets/installer-D2bbZsjM.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alliant Energy Team", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/about" }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MCS Registered Engineer", "jobTitle": "MCS Registered Engineer" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "I've already signed a contract and I'm concerned — what now?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there a register of bad solar installers?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How common are solar scams in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Spoke guide · Choosing an installer # 10 Red Flags When Getting a Solar Quote Around 61% of UK homeowners say they're worried about misleading solar offers. Here are the ten warning signs that should make you pause — or walk away entirely. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Get a Quote from a Certified Installer](/quote) [Check Our Credentials](/about-us) On this page - [The 10 red flags](#flags) - [How Alliant scores](#alliant) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) 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 Alliant provides full financial projections with all assumptions visible — conservative and optimistic scenarios. We'd rather set realistic expectations than have a disappointed customer. ### Want a quote that ticks every box? MCS registered. Own teams. Written warranties. Honest projections. Deposit protected. [Get a Quote](/quote) [Check Credentials](/about-us) ## 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 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. Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)