Solar panels are installed on your roof by an MCS-certified installer, connected to an inverter that converts DC power to AC, and then to your consumer unit — the whole process takes 1–2 days.
🏠Homeowner view
Getting solar panels involves a few key steps. First, you get quotes from two or three MCS-certified installers (MCS certification is important — it's required to access government tariffs and smart export payments). They'll survey your roof to assess suitability — south-facing roofs at a 30–40 degree pitch are ideal, but east/west-facing panels also work well. A typical 3–4kWp system for a 3-bedroom house uses 8–10 panels. Installation takes 1–2 days: scaffolding goes up, mounting rails are fixed to the roof, panels clip on, and cables run down to an inverter in the loft or utility room. The inverter connects to your consumer unit. After installation, your installer registers the system with the grid, connects to your energy supplier for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments, and you receive MCS certification paperwork. Most systems pay for themselves in 8–12 years through bill savings and export payments.