Twelve years of answering homeowner questions, distilled. Can't find yours? Email hello@britishsolar.co.uk.
In England, Scotland and Wales, residential solar is almost always covered by Permitted Development Rights — no planning permission needed. Listed buildings and some conservation areas are the main exceptions. We check this for you before install.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the industry standard for renewables. Only MCS-certified installs qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. British Solar is fully MCS-certified — certificate MCS-12345.
The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for unused solar you export. Current rates from major suppliers range from 5p–15p per kWh. We submit your SEG application as part of the install — no extra cost.
On Family Eco+ and Whole-Home, a battery typically adds £400–£700/year in savings vs. solar alone, because you use more of your own generation instead of buying back at peak rates. Payback is normally 6–9 years; warranty is 10.
Modern panels still generate 20–40% of peak output in diffuse light. Your home pulls from your battery first, then the grid. You never lose power.
Yes — fully refundable up to the day of installation, no questions asked. We also honour the statutory 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.
25 years on panels (performance + product), 10 years on the battery and inverter, and 10 years on our workmanship — backed by insurance-backed warranty through HIES, so it's protected even if we ceased trading.
Yes. We offer 0% APR over 60–120 months on every package, provided by Novuna Personal Finance (FCA #714225). Application is a 3-minute soft search. Subject to status.
Most homes are completed in a single day. Larger Whole-Home installs with battery and EV charger can spill into a second day. Scaffolding goes up the day before.
Slate, tile, metal and flat roofs all supported. Thatched roofs are the only common exclusion. We confirm at the free roof survey before any work starts.
No. Our installers are employed by British Solar (PAYE, not 1099/sub). It's why we can offer a 10-year workmanship warranty.
If the surveyor flags an issue, we quote a fixed remedial price before any deposit is taken — you can walk away with a full refund.