Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 10:19 PM
Created by: Ruvenss G Wilches
Installing solar panels is a great way to lower your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint. You can also sell extra energy you make, making them even more worthwhile.
But if you want to put solar panels on your roof, where do you start?
Our step-by-step guide will take you through the solar panel installation process from start to finish. This includes finding the right installer and what to expect on the day the installation happens.
Step by step solar panel installation guide
The good news is that solar panels are suitable for almost every kind of home in any part of the UK. They even work on cloudy days.
It’s true, though, that some solar panel setups are more effective than others. Here are some important questions to ask yourself before installing solar panels:
Solar panels generate the most electricity when they face south because they’re able to capture as much sunlight as possible. But there’s more to solar that just overall power output.
South-facing panels might produce the most electricity overall, but that doesn’t mean solar isn’t worth it if your roof faces east or west. In fact, these orientations can still deliver strong performance and might even suit your energy habits better.
East-facing panels generate more electricity in the morning, while west-facing panels do better in the afternoon and early evening. So, if you tend to use more power during those times, you could make better use of your solar energy as it’s being produced.
We don’t recommend installing panels on roofs that face north – you won’t get enough sunlight to make it worth your while.
Shading on solar panels usually comes from:
While the direction your roof faces plays a role in how much electricity your panels can generate, shading can have an even bigger impact. For example, a south-facing roof that’s shaded during the day may generate less power than an east- or west-facing roof with full sun exposure.
Solar panel installers will assess how shading affects your roof throughout the day and across different seasons. The goal is to avoid shaded areas as much as possible and place panels where they’ll get the most consistent sunlight.
If shading is unavoidable, your installer might recommend microinverters or power optimisers. These let each panel work independently. So if one panel is shaded, it won’t drag down the performance of the whole system.
If there are trees causing partial shade and it’s possible to trim them back, your installer may suggest that too. They should guide you based on what will make the most difference.
The bigger your roof, the more solar panels you can fit on it. And the more solar panels you have, the more clean, free electricity you can generate.
Here’s a rough guide to how many panels typically fit on different types of houses:
There are no dedicated government grants for solar panels in the UK at the moment. But this might change as we find out more details about the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan.
Solar panels might be included as part of a package of upgrades for certain financial support schemes. But these depend on where you live and whether you get any benefits.
If you’re looking for help with the cost of solar panels, there are a few options available to you:
Get in touch with your energy supplier and ask if they offer help with the cost of solar panel installation.
Some energy companies will offer solar panel funding if you sign up to one of their tariffs. So, if you’re able to switch energy supplier, you may be eligible for some financial help with your solar panels.
Some installers offer the option to spread the cost of solar panels (with or without battery storage) over a number of years, sometimes with low or zero interest. There may also be finance options available from banks or other financial organisations.
Whether these options are right for you will depend on your circumstances. Always check the terms and conditions carefully and consider speaking to an independent financial adviser if you’re unsure before signing up.
We recommend you look for solar panel installers who are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
MCS is a government-backed quality scheme that ensures installers are qualified and work in line with the scheme’s high standards.
You can find MCS-certified installers near you using its ‘find an installer’ tool. Search using your postcode or your region. Under ‘what would you like installed’, select ‘Solar PV’ to find solar panel installers.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three different installers to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Your solar panels being installed by an MCS-certified installer may be a requirement to sign up for export tariffs.
Before installation, an assessor will come and look at your roof to make sure it’s safe to hold the solar panels. They’ll also design your solar panel system to make it as efficient as possible, based on your roof setup and how much space you have.
Most homes don’t need planning permission to install solar panels. But you may need it if your home is:
This is also the time to ask the right questions and make sure you understand what you’re signing up for. Getting multiple quotes is a great idea and so is asking each installer to explain their approach. Here are a few questions to consider asking each installer: