How to Choose a Solar Panel Installer in Scotland — 10 Questions to Ask
Due diligence before choosing a solar installer can protect thousands of pounds and years of performance. Use these 10 questions to separate certified, experienced installers from those who will leave you without grants, export payments, or warranty protection.
Get a Quote from a Fully Certified Installer
Scottish Energy Efficiency answers yes to all 10 questions.
Why Request a Quote from Scottish Energy Efficiency?
MCS certified. RECC registered. No pressure. No hidden costs.
"From survey to switch-on in under two weeks. Every step explained clearly and no hidden costs. Exactly what you want from a solar installer."
Why It Matters
What Is at Stake When Choosing an Installer
Scottish Energy Efficiency (Certified)
- MCS certified — grants, SEG, and 0% VAT all accessible
- RECC registered — deposit protected from day one
- HES registered — heat pump grants handled end-to-end
- G98/G99 handled — legal grid connection and export
- SEG registered — export payments from day one
- Tier 1 panels — 25-year bankable warranty
- Local references available across Scotland
- Full documentation pack after installation
Rogue Trader (Uncertified)
- No MCS — no grants, no SEG, 20% VAT instead of 0%
- No RECC — deposit unprotected if they disappear
- No HES — heat pump grants unavailable
- No DNO notification — illegal grid export, SEG blocked
- No SEG — losing hundreds per year in export payments
- Unknown panels — no warranty support after 2 years
- No local references — no accountability
- No documentation — property sale issues later
Due Diligence Checklist
The 10 Questions to Ask Any Scottish Solar Installer
Ask these before signing anything. A reputable installer will answer every one confidently and in writing.
Are you MCS certified?
Good answer
Yes — and we can provide our MCS certificate number for verification on mcsinstallers.co.uk
Red flag answer
"We use MCS certified panels" — this refers to product certification, not installer certification. Not the same thing.
Are you RECC registered?
Good answer
Yes — here is our RECC membership code. Your deposit is protected from day one.
Red flag answer
Vague answer about consumer protection without providing a membership number or explaining what RECC is.
Do you handle DNO notifications?
Good answer
Yes — we handle G98 or G99 notifications with your Distribution Network Operator as standard, included in the price.
Red flag answer
"That is your responsibility" or confusion about what DNO notifications are.
Are you HES registered?
Good answer
Yes — we handle the full HES grant application for you, including eligibility check and paperwork.
Red flag answer
"We know about HES grants" without being able to confirm registration or explain the application process.
What warranty do you provide on panels, inverter, and labour?
Good answer
25-year product and performance warranty on panels, 10-15 year warranty on inverter, and a separate labour warranty from us.
Red flag answer
"Standard warranty applies" — this tells you nothing specific about what is covered or for how long.
Who manufactures the panels?
Good answer
JA Solar, LONGi, Canadian Solar, or REC — Tier 1 manufacturers with established warranty support and bankable performance.
Red flag answer
Unknown brands with no verifiable warranty support, or refusal to specify the manufacturer before signing.
How long have you been installing in Scotland?
Good answer
A specific number of years with verifiable local installations and references available in your region.
Red flag answer
A very recently formed company, no verifiable local history, or deflection to national presence without Scottish experience.
Can you provide local references?
Good answer
Yes — multiple customers in your area who are happy to be contacted.
Red flag answer
Unable to provide references, directing you only to online reviews without offering direct contact.
Do you register customers for the Smart Export Guarantee?
Good answer
Yes — we register with Octopus Flux as standard. You will receive export payments from day one.
Red flag answer
"You arrange that yourself" — this leaves you with the risk of missing out on export payments.
What does your aftercare service include?
Good answer
Monitoring system setup, performance report access, annual maintenance check availability, and a clear contact for any issues.
Red flag answer
Nothing post-installation. No monitoring setup. No contact for performance issues.
Quote Checklist
What a Proper Written Quote Must Include
Any installer who refuses to provide these details in writing before signing is not operating to the standard you should expect. Keep the list below to hand when reviewing quotes.
Independent Verification
How to Verify Answers Independently
MCS Database
Search mcsinstallers.co.uk by company name or postcode. If the installer is not listed, they are not MCS certified regardless of what they claim verbally or in any written materials.
mcsinstallers.co.ukRECC Register
Search recc.org.uk for current RECC membership. Ask the installer for their RECC membership number and verify it against the register. Membership must be current at the time of contract.
recc.org.ukCompanies House
Search the company number at Companies House to verify how long the company has been incorporated. Very recently formed companies with no track record carry significantly higher risk.
companieshouse.gov.ukWarning Signs
Red Flags to Avoid
Any one of these should cause you to pause and seek a second opinion before proceeding.
No MCS certification
Means no grants, no SEG, and likely 20% VAT instead of 0%.
Cannot provide MCS certificate number
Evasion on this point is a strong indicator the certification is not current.
Does not handle DNO notifications
Leaves your system technically non-compliant for grid export.
Pressure for same-day decision
A genuine installer will give you time to compare and verify.
No written quote provided
Without a written quote, any verbal promises are unenforceable.
No verifiable local references
References available to contact — not just testimonials — are a minimum.
Unknown panel brands with no warranty support
Warranty support depends on the manufacturer still trading.
No RECC membership
Deposit is unprotected and there is no specialist complaints route.
Significantly cheaper than all other quotes
Low prices frequently indicate corners cut on panels, certifications, or inclusions.
Recently incorporated company with no history
Check Companies House — very new companies have no track record to assess.
Scottish Energy Efficiency Passes All 10 Questions
We are MCS certified, RECC registered, and HES registered. We handle G98/G99 notifications, SEG registration, and grant applications as standard. We install Tier 1 panels with 25-year warranties and provide local references on request.
Common Questions
Installer Vetting FAQs
Scottish Energy Efficiency Passes Every Test
MCS certified, RECC registered, HES registered. We handle DNO notifications, SEG registration, and grant applications as standard. Call 0141 230 0198 to ask us the 10 questions directly.
Unit 3 Prospect III, Dundee Technology Park, Dundee, DD2 1TY
Installations provided by scottishenergyefficiency.co.uk