Solar Quote Red-Flag Checker
Answer 10 quick questions about the solar quote you’ve been given. We’ll score it against the sales tactics and contract gaps that UK Trading Standards and RECC warn about most.
Were you pressured to sign on the day, or told the price was “only valid today”?
Is the installer MCS certified (you checked the MCS database, not just their word)?
Was the final price given from a desktop/satellite assessment only, with no physical or detailed remote survey?
Were you told this is a “free government solar scheme” or “government-backed no-cost solar”?
Does the quote itemise panels, inverter, battery and scaffolding as separate line items with brands and models?
Are product AND workmanship warranties stated in writing (panels 20–25 yrs, inverter 5–10 yrs, workmanship 2+ yrs)?
Is the installer a member of RECC or HIES with an insurance-backed guarantee?
Did the salesperson promise the system would “eliminate your bill” or assume you’d use ~100% of the electricity generated?
If finance was offered, was the APR, total repayable amount, or lender name unclear or missing?
Is the price above roughly £2,400 per kWp installed (e.g. over ~£9,500 for a 4 kWp system without battery)?
How this works: each question maps to a documented risk factor from RECC guidance, MCS consumer advice and UK Trading Standards alerts on doorstep solar selling. “Yes” to a risk factor (or missing a protection) adds 1–3 points by severity. This tool is guidance, not legal advice — always read the full contract. EnergyRanked may receive a fee if you request quotes through us; the checker result is never affected by that.
Why a quote checker exists at all
Solar is a market where the product is standardised but the selling isn't. UK Trading Standards and RECC (the Renewable Energy Consumer Code) publish recurring warnings about the same handful of tactics: sign-today discounts, "free government solar" openers, savings projections built on impossible self-use assumptions, and lump-sum quotes that hide what you're actually buying. This checker turns those published warnings into ten quick questions and gives your quote a score.
The ten checks, and why each one matters
The heaviest-weighted flags are the ones RECC treats as serious: pressure to sign on the day (a reputable quote stays valid for weeks), no verifiable MCS certification (without it you can't register for export payments), and "free government solar" claims (no such UK scheme exists for ordinary households). Medium flags cover un-itemised quotes, missing written warranties, desktop-only pricing and opaque finance. Lighter flags — no RECC/HIES membership, prices well above roughly £2,400 per kWp — aren't fatal alone but stack up fast.
What to do with your score
Low risk: proceed, but still compare — even honest quotes for the same roof differ by £2,000+. Caution: get every flagged point clarified in writing before signing; a genuine firm won't mind. High risk: walk away and benchmark against vetted installers — you're under no obligation, whatever the salesperson implied. In every case, your 14-day cooling-off right applies to contracts signed at home.
Common questions
Is a high price alone a scam?
No — premium equipment and complex roofs cost more. The checker treats price as one signal among ten; pressure tactics and fake schemes matter far more.
What's a fair price per kWp in 2026?
Roughly £1,400–£2,100 per kWp installed for quality equipment on a straightforward roof — so a 4kWp system at £5,500–£8,000. Batteries, scaffolding complexity and premium panels move it up legitimately.
I already signed — am I stuck?
If you signed at home or away from the firm's premises you normally have 14 days to cancel under UK consumer law. If the install has issues, RECC and HIES both run dispute-resolution schemes.
Does EnergyRanked see my answers?
No — the checker runs in your browser and stores nothing unless you separately request quotes.