Solar Panel Installation in the UK: Step by Step
A home solar panel installation takes about two days on site. Most of the work happens before and after: the survey and quote, the scaffolding, the grid paperwork and your MCS certificate. Here is every step, how long each one takes and what it costs.
Last updated October 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Solar panel installation in the UK takes about two days on site for a typical home. An MCS-certified installer surveys the roof, designs the system, puts up scaffolding, fixes the panels to rails on the roof, wires the inverter into your consumer unit and notifies the network operator (DNO). You should receive your MCS certificate within 30 days. A 4 kWp system costs £6,600–£8,500 installed.
How are solar panels installed? The 11 steps
In the UK your installer handles almost all of this. Knowing the order helps you check nothing is missed, especially the paperwork at the end.
- 1
Get quotes from MCS-certified installers
MCS advises getting at least three quotes. Only an MCS-certified installation qualifies for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments, so check each installer on the MCS register.
- 2
Site survey
The installer checks your roof (orientation, pitch, shading and condition), your electricity use, the fuse board and where the inverter and any battery will go. Some surveys are done remotely from photos and satellite images.
- 3
System design and performance estimate
You get a design with the panel layout, equipment list and a realistic estimate of how much electricity the system will generate. MCS installers must give you this before you sign.
- 4
Contract, deposit and cooling-off period
The installer should explain how your deposit is protected and agree a payment schedule. If you sign at home or online you normally have at least 14 days to cancel, and work only starts sooner if you expressly ask for it.
- 5
Planning and grid checks
Most home roof installs are permitted development, but listed buildings and conservation areas can need consent. If the inverter is above 3.68 kW per phase, your installer must apply to the network operator (DNO) for G99 approval before connecting.
- 6
Scaffolding goes up
Scaffolding is usually erected a day or more before the installers arrive. Expect it to stay up for anything from about 10 days to four weeks.
- 7
Roof mounting and panels
Roof anchors are fixed to the rafters under the tiles, aluminium rails go on the anchors and the panels are clamped to the rails. Bird-proofing mesh is often fitted around the edge at this stage.
- 8
Inverter, battery and wiring
Cables run from the panels into the loft to the inverter. The installer connects the inverter to your consumer unit, fits a generation meter, and installs and connects any battery.
- 9
Testing and switch-on
The system is tested, commissioned and switched on. The installer sets up the monitoring app so you can see what the panels are producing.
- 10
Paperwork and handover
Within 30 days of completion you should receive your MCS certificate, the Building Regulations compliance certificate and proof the DNO has been notified. For most homes this is a G98 notification, sent within 28 days of switch-on. You also get a handover pack with manuals, warranties and a servicing schedule.
- 11
Apply for SEG and tell your insurer
Use your MCS certificate to apply for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Tell your home insurer about the panels, or they may not be covered.
What happens on installation day
On the roof
A small team lifts a few tiles to fix anchors to the rafters, puts the tiles back, then fits rails and clamps the panels in rows. On a typical 10-panel roof this is most of the first day.
Inside the house
An electrician mounts the inverter, usually in the loft, runs cable to the consumer unit and fits the generation meter. Your power is switched off for a short time while they connect to the consumer unit.
Battery (if you have one)
A battery is usually wall-mounted in a garage, utility room or outside, and wired to a hybrid inverter or its own inverter. See solar battery storage.
Before they leave
The system is tested and switched on, and the installer sets up the monitoring app on your phone. Ask them to show you the inverter display and how to isolate the system.
How much does solar panel installation cost?
UK quotes are for the whole job: panels, inverter, scaffolding, labour and paperwork, with 0% VAT on residential installs until 31 March 2027.
| System size | Panels | Installed price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | 7 | £5,700–£7,000 |
| 4 kWp | 10 | £6,600–£8,500 |
| 5 kWp | 12 | £8,300–£10,200 |
| 6 kWp | 14 | £10,000–£12,460 |
Scaffolding on its own often costs £700 to £2,000 and is usually included in the quote, so check it is listed. For prices by house size, with a battery and per panel, see our solar panel cost guide, and read what a good solar quote includes before you sign.
How long does solar panel installation take?
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Quotes, surveys and choosing an installer | 1–3 weeks |
| G99 approval (larger systems only) | Can add several weeks |
| Waiting for an installation date | Depends on the installer; longer in spring and summer |
| Scaffolding up | About 10 days to 4 weeks |
| Installation work on site | About 2 days |
| MCS certificate and paperwork | Within 30 days of completion |
More detail in how long solar panel installation takes.
Planning, building regulations and the grid
Planning permission
Usually not needed. Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof slope or sit above the ridge. Listed buildings and conservation areas can need consent.
Planning permission for solar panelsBuilding regulations
Building regulations normally apply. The roof has to carry the extra load and the electrics must comply. A Competent Person Scheme installer self-certifies the electrical work; ask who signs off the roof structure.
DNO notification
Inverters up to 3.68 kW per phase need a G98 notification within 28 days of switch-on. Larger systems need G99 approval before connection.
G98 vs G99 explainedInstallation on different roofs
Most UK homes get on-roof panels on a pitched, tiled roof. Other roofs and layouts change the mounting, the price and the output.
In-roof solar panels
Panels set into the roof in place of tiles, often used on new builds and re-roofs.
Flat roof solar panels
Tilted frames held down by ballast or fixings, often in an east-west layout.
Ground-mounted solar
Frames in the garden or a field when the roof is unsuitable.
East-west roofs
Panels on both slopes, spreading generation across the day.
North-facing roofs
Lower output, but sometimes still worth it on a shallow pitch.
Bird-proofing
Mesh around the panels to stop pigeons nesting underneath.
Can I install solar panels myself in the UK?
You can fit panels yourself, but a DIY system will not get an MCS certificate, so it will not qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments. The 0% VAT rate applies to installed systems, not to parts bought on their own. Your home insurance may not cover a non-professional installation, and working at height and on mains electrics carries real risk. For small, legal DIY options, see plug-in solar panels.
After installation: maintenance
Solar panels have no moving parts and UK rain keeps them mostly clean. Check the monitoring app now and then for drops in output. The inverter is the part most likely to need replacing during the system's life. Our solar panel maintenance guide covers cleaning, servicing and what it costs.
Solar panel installation FAQs
How long does solar panel installation take?
A typical home installation takes about two days on site. Scaffolding usually goes up beforehand and can stay for 10 days to four weeks. The whole process, from first quote to switch-on, usually takes a few weeks, mostly waiting for a survey and an installation date.
How much does solar panel installation cost?
A typical 4 kWp (10-panel) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fully installed, including 0% VAT. Scaffolding, labour and the inverter are normally included in the quote; check that yours itemises them.
How are solar panels installed on a roof?
Roof anchors are fixed to the rafters under the tiles, aluminium rails are fixed to the anchors and the panels are clamped onto the rails. Cables run to the inverter, usually in the loft, which is connected to your consumer unit. On-roof is the most common method; in-roof systems replace the tiles instead.
Do I need planning permission to install solar panels?
Usually not. Most roof-mounted panels on houses are permitted development, provided they do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof slope or sit above the ridge. Listed buildings and homes in conservation areas may need consent, so check with your council.
Do solar panels need building regulations approval?
Building regulations normally apply. The roof must be able to carry the extra load, and the electrical work must comply. An installer registered with a Competent Person Scheme can self-certify the electrical side; some cannot certify the roof structure, so ask who handles it.
Do I need to tell my DNO about solar panels?
Yes, but your installer does it. For inverters up to 3.68 kW per phase (most homes), they send a G98 notification within 28 days of switch-on. Bigger systems need G99 approval before they are connected.
What paperwork should I get after installation?
Your MCS certificate, a Building Regulations compliance certificate and proof that your DNO has been notified, all within 30 days of completion. You should also get a handover pack with equipment manuals, warranties and a servicing schedule.
Can I install solar panels myself?
You can fit panels yourself, but a DIY system will not have an MCS certificate, so it will not qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments. Work at height and on electrics also carries real risk, and the 0% VAT rate applies to installed systems rather than parts bought on their own.
Do I need an EPC after installing solar panels?
No. You only need a new Energy Performance Certificate when you sell, rent out or build a home. Solar panels can improve your EPC rating if you get a new one later.
Should I tell my home insurer about solar panels?
Yes. If you do not tell your insurer, the panels may not be covered.
Related Guides
Solar Panel Quotes
What a good quote includes, how to compare prices and the red flags to avoid.
In-Roof Solar Panels
Integrated panels set flush into the roof: cost, output and when they are worth it.
Flat Roof Solar Panels
Flat roof solar: costs, mounting systems, east-west layouts, and planning.
Maintenance Guide
Cleaning, monitoring, warranties, and lifespan.
DIY Solar Panels
Can you install solar panels yourself in the UK? Costs, risks, legal requirements, and when DIY makes sense.
Solar & Property Value
Do solar panels increase home value? UK evidence and EPC impact.
Solar Panel Grants
Warm Homes grants up to £15,000, 0% VAT, Smart Export Guarantee, and business capital allowances.
Solar Panel Cost UK
Full cost breakdown and payback periods.
Sources
- MCS, The MCS Customer Commitment, mcscertified.com
- MCS, Your renewable installation, mcscertified.com
- Planning Portal, Solar panels: building regulations, planningportal.co.uk
- SSEN, Installations up to 3.68kW per phase (G98), ssen.co.uk
- GOV.UK, Energy Performance Certificates, gov.uk
- Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 30, legislation.gov.uk
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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