Solar panel buying checklist: 5 things to get right

The best solar installations share five things in common, and every one of them is decided early, at the survey and proposal stage. Getting them right means a system that suits your home, performs for decades and gives you confidence from day one. Here is the solar panel buying checklist we recommend before you commit.

1. Size the system for the home you will have

A well-sized system is built on your real usage and your plans, not just last month's bill. If you are planning an electric vehicle, a heat pump or a growing household, a larger system gives you more of your own power as your demand grows.

• Review a full 12 months of bills to capture the seasons.
• Tell your installer about any planned changes, such as an EV, an extension or more people at home.
• Expect a proper survey to ask about this directly and model your usage.

For reference, the Energy Saving Trust describes a typical home system as around 4.5 kWp, and Which? says a 4 kWp system needs about 20 square metres of roof. A survey turns those general figures into a design for your roof, showing the number of panels, their wattage and where each one goes.

It also pays to think about when you use power. Using solar electricity at home often gives good value because it avoids an import charge. The best balance between using, storing and exporting it depends on your import and export rates and, for storage, battery losses. A system designed around your daytime habits, and perhaps a battery for the evening, can make good use of every panel. Our battery storage page shows how the two fit together.

2. Choose quality panels with strong warranties

Panel quality and warranty terms shape what you get over 25 years and beyond. Higher-efficiency panels generate more from the same roof area, which is valuable on a smaller roof, and a strong warranty gives lasting confidence. Eligible Eurener NEXA double-glass bifacial panels supplied through our Premium Partner programme have a 30-year product warranty and a separate 30-year performance warranty, subject to the manufacturer's terms. Your quote identifies the exact model and cover that apply.

Panels are a long-term asset. The Energy Saving Trust says they should last 25 years or more, so a well-chosen panel and a strong warranty keep paying back in confidence year after year. Our solar panels page shows what we install.

3. Choose an MCS-certified installer

MCS, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, is the industry-recognised standard for solar installers. An MCS installation comes with a certificate for your records, and MCS says the certificate may be required for some grants and incentives. REST UK is MCS certified, and you can read what that covers on our MCS certification standards page.

MCS says you should receive your certificate within 10 working days of completion. It is a record that your installation was carried out by a certified installer using certified products, which is useful to keep with your home's paperwork. The Energy Saving Trust also recommends choosing an MCS-certified installer.

4. Ask for a clear, itemised proposal

The best proposals show exactly what you are getting. Ask for an itemised breakdown that lists the equipment, the warranties, the estimated annual generation and the assumptions behind every estimate. That lets you see the whole system at a glance and understand how each figure was worked out.

• Check the panel and battery brands and the warranty terms, not just the total.
• Look for a proposal designed around your roof and your usage.
• If you already have a quote, bring it along. We may be able to match or beat it, subject to assessment and approval.

5. Plan for ongoing care from day one

Solar needs very little attention, and a little planning keeps it performing at its best. Most systems include a monitoring app, so you can see your output every day, and a periodic professional check gives extra peace of mind. Our maintenance and aftercare page explains the support available.

If something ever needs attention, a clear record of your system helps. Keep your installation certificate, the manufacturer warranties and the monitoring app login together, and the team who installed your system can find the details quickly. Good aftercare is part of what makes a long-term investment feel simple.

Put it together

A well-sized system, quality panels, a certified installer, a clear proposal and a care plan add up to a solar installation you can rely on. Request a free quote and we will walk through sizing, equipment and certification with you, so you know exactly what you are getting. You can also see how our process works from survey to switch-on.