If you are considering solar panels for your home in Somerset, choosing the right installer is just as important as choosing the panels themselves.
A good solar installation should be designed around your home, electricity usage, roof, budget and future energy plans. That could include adding battery storage, an electric vehicle charger or other renewable technologies later.
There are a number of solar companies operating in and around Somerset, ranging from established renewable-energy businesses to smaller local installers. This guide looks at some of the companies currently appearing in Somerset searches and explains what homeowners should check before choosing an installer.
Smart Home Improvement People does not rank these companies as an overall “best” or “worst” installer. Reviews, prices, accreditations and availability can change, so homeowners should obtain several current quotations and carry out their own checks.
Solar Companies Operating in Somerset
Current local listings show a healthy choice of solar and renewable-energy businesses serving Somerset.
Among the businesses appearing in local searches are:
- Current Renewables Ltd, based at Ilton Business Park near Ilminster.
- Sunlit Solar, based near Glastonbury.
- Lightwork Solar Solutions Ltd, based near Bridgwater.
- Tincknell Solar, based near Wells.
- Clean NRG Solar Solutions, based in Wellington.
- SolarGain Ltd, near Taunton.
- Recharge Renewable, serving the Somerset area from Winscombe.
- Greenacre Renewable Energy, based near Highbridge.
- Ews Solar Power, based near Langport.
- Southern Renewables, based in Chard.
- South West Solar Solutions.
These are examples of companies appearing in current local business results, rather than a definitive ranking.
Checkatrade’s current Somerset solar installation directory also includes a number of installers offering solar PV, battery storage and related renewable-energy services.
What Should You Look For in a Somerset Solar Installer?
The cheapest quotation is not necessarily the best quotation to choose.
Solar panels can remain on a roof for decades, so it is important to look at the whole installation rather than simply comparing the headline price.
1. Check MCS certification
One of the first questions to ask is whether the installer is certified through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
MCS provides certification for microgeneration products and installation companies and is an important part of the UK renewable-energy market.
It is particularly relevant if you want to benefit from schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee.
Ofgem’s guidance states that eligible small-scale generators can receive payments for electricity exported to the grid through the SEG, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
Ask the installer for their current MCS details and check them rather than simply relying on a logo appearing on a website or quotation.
2. Look at consumer protection
MCS is not the only thing to investigate.
Ofgem advises consumers that domestic MCS installation companies must also belong to an approved consumer code, such as the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) or the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES).
Before signing a contract, ask:
- What consumer protection scheme do you belong to?
- What happens if there is a problem with the installation?
- What workmanship warranty is included?
- Who deals with warranty claims?
- What happens if the company stops trading?
A reputable installer should be able to answer these questions clearly.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Somerset?
Solar installation costs vary considerably depending on the size and specification of the system.
Factors can include:
- Number and type of panels
- Inverter
- Battery storage
- Roof type
- Scaffolding
- Electrical work
- Consumer unit upgrades
- Roof access
- System monitoring
- Installation complexity
Current Checkatrade data for Somerset gives an average solar panel installation cost of £9,664, with listed prices typically ranging from £7,490 to £12,531. The same source gives an average solar battery storage cost of £5,531, with a listed range of £4,153 to £7,457. These are marketplace figures rather than guaranteed prices for every Somerset property.
The best way to establish the actual cost of your installation is to obtain several written quotations based on your property.
Should You Add a Solar Battery?
For many homeowners, the solar panels are only part of the equation.
Solar PV produces electricity during daylight hours, while household electricity demand can often be higher in the morning and evening.
A battery can store surplus electricity generated during the day for use later.
However, a battery adds to the initial cost, so it is worth asking the installer to show you the financial case rather than assuming that a battery is automatically worthwhile.
Ask each installer to quote separately for:
Solar panels only
and
Solar panels + battery
This makes the additional cost much easier to understand.
You should also ask about:
- Battery capacity
- Usable capacity
- Warranty period
- Maximum charge/discharge rate
- Battery degradation
- Whether the battery can be expanded
- Compatibility with your inverter
- Whether the system can be integrated with an EV charger
Somerset Solar Panels and the Smart Export Guarantee
If your solar panels produce more electricity than your home needs, you may be able to export surplus electricity to the grid.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires participating electricity suppliers to offer tariffs to eligible small-scale generators.
Ofgem’s current information confirms that solar PV is one of the technologies covered by the SEG. The tariff rate and contract terms are determined by the individual supplier.
This means it is worth asking your installer:
“Will you provide all the paperwork I need to register my system for export payments?”
Do not simply assume that the installation price includes everything required for SEG registration.
Solar Panels in Taunton, Yeovil, Bath and Weston-super-Mare
Somerset homeowners have very different types of properties.
A modern home on a relatively straightforward roof may be suitable for a standard rooftop installation.
Older Somerset properties can present additional challenges.
Before receiving a quotation, your installer should consider:
- Roof orientation
- Roof pitch
- Shading
- Chimneys
- Dormer windows
- Roof condition
- Existing electrical installation
- Planning restrictions
- Whether battery storage is appropriate
Properties in and around Bath, particularly listed or historically significant buildings, can require additional consideration.
Similarly, homeowners in areas such as Taunton, Yeovil, Wells, Bridgwater, Glastonbury, Frome and Weston-super-Mare should ask installers to assess the individual property rather than relying on a standard package price.
What About Solar Panels on Older Somerset Homes?
Older properties can be excellent candidates for solar, but the roof should be checked carefully before installation.
If your roof is approaching the end of its useful life, it may make sense to address roofing work before installing a solar array.
Removing and reinstalling solar panels later can add unnecessary expense.
Ask your installer whether they have identified:
- Damaged tiles
- Weak roof sections
- Structural concerns
- Difficult access
- Shading
- Chimneys
- Potential cable routes
A detailed survey should identify these issues before you commit to the installation.
Get at Least Three Solar Quotes
One of the simplest ways to compare installers is to obtain at least three written quotations.
Don’t just compare the final price.
Create a simple comparison showing:
| What to Compare | Installer 1 | Installer 2 | Installer 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| System size | |||
| Number of panels | |||
| Panel manufacturer | |||
| Inverter | |||
| Battery | |||
| Installation cost | |||
| Panel warranty | |||
| Inverter warranty | |||
| Workmanship warranty | |||
| MCS certification | |||
| Consumer code | |||
| Estimated annual generation | |||
| Estimated payback |
This can reveal significant differences between apparently similar quotations.
Questions to Ask a Somerset Solar Installer
Before signing anything, ask the installer:
- Are you currently MCS certified?
- Which consumer code are you a member of?
- What size system do you recommend and why?
- How much electricity do you estimate it will generate annually?
- What assumptions have you used in your calculations?
- What panels and inverter are included?
- Is battery storage included?
- What are the product warranties?
- What workmanship warranty do you provide?
- Who will handle the grid connection?
- Will you provide the MCS certificate?
- Will you help with SEG registration?
- Are scaffolding and electrical work included?
- Could my roof require repairs before installation?
- What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
A good installer should be comfortable answering these questions.
Don’t Choose a Solar Company on Price Alone
A solar installation is a long-term investment in your home.
A quotation that appears cheaper could have a smaller battery, lower-spec inverter, shorter workmanship warranty or fewer services included.
Likewise, a more expensive quotation isn’t automatically better.
The key is understanding exactly what you are paying for.
Look at the equipment, warranties, installation company, certification, consumer protection, expected generation and after-sales support together.
Finding Solar Companies in Somerset
There is no shortage of solar installers operating across Somerset, but homeowners should still carry out their own checks before choosing a company.
Current local listings include businesses covering areas such as Taunton, Wells, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Ilminster, Wellington, Glastonbury and other parts of the county.
Checkatrade currently lists nine solar panel installation services operating in Somerset and reports an average rating of 10/10 across a sample of 89 ratings on its Somerset page. Those figures represent Checkatrade’s own review sample and should not be treated as a county-wide assessment of every installer.
The most useful approach is to compare several installers on a like-for-like basis.
Compare Home Improvement Companies in Somerset
Solar panels are increasingly being considered alongside other home improvements, including battery storage, heat pumps, windows, doors, insulation, EV chargers and energy-efficiency upgrades.
At Smart Home Improvement People, our aim is to help homeowners find and compare local home improvement companies.
If you are looking for solar panel installation in Somerset, start by establishing what your property needs, then compare several suitable installers before making a decision.
Final Checklist
Before choosing your Somerset solar installer, check:
✓ MCS certification
✓ Consumer protection membership
✓ Insurance
✓ Product warranties
✓ Workmanship warranty
✓ Customer reviews
✓ Panel and inverter specifications
✓ Battery options
✓ Installation timescale
✓ Grid connection arrangements
✓ SEG paperwork
✓ Total installed price
✓ At least three comparable quotations
The right solar installation should be designed around your home rather than sold as a one-size-fits-all package.
Smart Home Improvement People
Looking for solar panels, batteries or other home improvements in Somerset?
Compare local companies and get started with Smart Home Improvement People.
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- Solar Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Costs
- Solar Panels vs Heat Pumps
- Best Solar Companies in Dorset
- Best Solar Companies in Devon
- Best Solar Companies in Gloucestershire
- Best Solar Companies in Oxfordshire
- Best Solar Companies in Buckinghamshire
