How to choose a solar installer in Perth

Why MCS certification matters

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is a quality assurance scheme for small-scale renewable technologies. An installer who is MCS-certified has demonstrated that their installations meet a recognised standard. That matters for two reasons: it gives you confidence in the quality of the installation, and it is usually a condition of accessing export payments for the electricity you send back to the grid.

We install through MCS-certified partners. We do not claim MCS certification for ourselves — we are clear that the installation is carried out by partners who hold that certification. If an installer is vague about who actually does the work and what certification they hold, that is worth questioning.

Why a written quote after a survey beats an online estimate

Every roof is different. Slate, concrete tile, clay tile and flat roofs each need different mounting methods. Pitch and orientation affect how many panels make sense and where they go. Access and scaffolding depend on the height of the property and how it is reached. Shading from chimneys, dormers and neighbouring buildings changes the layout. An online estimate that has not seen any of this is a guess.

A written quote prepared after a survey is different. The surveyor has seen your roof, checked the orientation and shading, looked at your consumer unit and electrical set-up, and talked through how you use electricity. The quote that follows is a fixed price for your home, listing what is included. That is what we do — no online estimates, no teaser prices.

What warranties to look for

A solar installation comes with several layers of cover, and you should see all of them stated in writing on your quote before you agree. Panels carry a product warranty and a performance guarantee. The inverter has its own warranty. A battery, if specified, has a warranty that usually covers capacity over a number of years or cycles. On top of these, the installation itself should be covered by a workmanship guarantee.

If any of these are missing from the quote, ask. We confirm warranty and guarantee terms in writing on your quotation, and components are not substituted without your agreement.

Questions to ask before you decide

• 1

  Do you survey the property first?

  A survey before the quote means the price fits your roof. An online estimate with no survey does not.

• 2

  Is the price fixed?

  Your written quote should be a fixed price, not an estimate that can move once work starts.

• 3

  What is included?

  Panels, inverter, battery if specified, mounting, scaffolding, electrical work and extras should all be listed. Scaffolding should be included, not a hidden extra.

• 4

  What warranties apply?

  Panel, inverter, battery and workmanship cover should each be stated in writing on the quote.

• 5

  Do you install through MCS-certified partners?

  MCS certification is a recognised standard and usually a condition of accessing export payments.

Why we install through MCS-certified partners

We are straightforward about how we work. We install through MCS-certified partners, which means the installation is carried out by partners who hold MCS certification and meet that recognised standard. We do not claim MCS certification for ourselves. We survey every home before quoting, confirm the price and every warranty term in writing, and we do not substitute components without your agreement.

We cover all Perth and Perthshire postcodes, and we do not turn a lead away because of a postcode.

Avoiding pressure selling

A reputable installer gives you a written quote and time to think about it. Be wary of anyone who insists you sign on the day, who offers a discount that disappears tonight, or who will not leave the quote with you to compare. A genuine offer does not expire at the end of the salesperson’s visit.

Take the quote, read what is included, compare it with another if you wish, and decide in your own time. If anything is unclear, ask. We would rather you understood the proposal fully than signed quickly and regretted it.

Related

To see how our quote process works end to end, read how your quote works. For the warranty and guarantee terms we confirm in writing, see the guarantees page, and for what moves the price, the cost guide.