Solar panel FAQs for Scotland

The cost of a solar panel system in Scotland depends on the size of your roof, the number of panels, whether you add a battery, and your installation requirements. Every quote is itemised so you can see exactly what you are paying for. 0% VAT applies on residential solar and battery installations until 31 March 2027. Contact us for a no-obligation survey and written quote tailored to your home.

For many homes, yes. Solar panels in Scotland generate electricity even on overcast days, and Scotland’s long summer daylight hours help. Using your own solar generation can reduce how much grid electricity you buy, and the Smart Export Guarantee pays for surplus you export. Adding a battery lets you store daytime surplus and use it in the evening. Your survey quote explains what to expect for your home.

Two key incentives apply: 0% VAT on residential solar and battery installations until 31 March 2027, and the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays you for surplus electricity you export to the grid. We install through MCS-certified partners, which is required to register your system and access the Smart Export Guarantee. Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status.

Generally no, solar panels are permitted development in Scotland and do not require planning permission. This applies to roof-mounted systems that do not protrude more than 200 mm from the roof surface, do not extend above the highest point of the roof, and are not on a listed building. If your property is in a conservation area, national scenic area, or is a listed building, you will need to apply for planning consent from your local council. Ground-mounted arrays over 9 m² also require planning permission. We handle all planning checks as part of your no-obligation survey.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for surplus electricity you export to the grid. Rates vary by supplier, and time-of-use export tariffs can pay more at peak times. All licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000 or more customers must offer a SEG tariff. To qualify for the SEG, your installation must be MCS-certified — which every system is, as all installations are carried out through our MCS-certified partners. With a battery, you can store daytime generation and export during evening peak hours. We help every client register for the SEG as part of aftercare.

A standard solar panel installation takes 1–2 days to complete. Day one covers scaffolding erection, roof mounting rail installation, panel fitting, and DC wiring. Day two (if needed) covers AC wiring, inverter and meter installation, and system commissioning. Adding a battery requires approximately one extra day. The entire process from accepting your quote to switch-on includes DNO application processing and scheduling. We keep you updated at every stage.

The survey is no-obligation and takes approximately one hour. Our surveyor assesses your roof orientation, pitch, and structural condition; checks your existing electrical installation; analyses shading from nearby trees, buildings, or chimneys; measures available roof area and plans panel layout; and discusses your energy usage to recommend the right system size and battery capacity. You receive a written quote after the survey, including itemised costs and a system design specific to your property.

Yes, we cover all of mainland Scotland and many island communities. Our installation partners operate across both DNO regions: SPEN (SP Energy Networks), which covers the Central Belt, South-West, and Southern Scotland, and SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks), which covers the Highlands, North-East, Aberdeenshire, and the Northern Isles. We handle the DNO application for whichever region your property falls in.

Every installation includes manufacturer warranties on the solar panels, battery, and inverter, plus an insurance-backed guarantee underwritten by an A-rated insurer. The insurance-backed guarantee protects you even if the installation company were to cease trading. All warranties are registered in your name upon commissioning and you receive full documentation. MCS certification also means your system is independently verified to meet published installation standards.

All installations are carried out through our MCS-certified installation partners. Scottish Energy Efficiency advises, designs your system, manages your project, and handles paperwork. The physical installation is carried out by qualified engineers from our partner teams.