Interest in solar panels has grown sharply over the past few years — which means the number of companies installing them has grown too. Some of them are excellent. Some, frankly, are not.
If you’re a homeowner in Blackpool, Preston, or Burnley thinking about going solar, knowing what to look for in an installer could save you thousands of pounds and a lot of headaches. Here’s what to pay attention to.
MCS certification is non-negotiable
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the industry standard for solar installations in the UK. Only MCS-certified installers are authorised to install systems that qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee — the scheme that pays you for electricity you export to the grid.
If a company isn’t MCS certified, walk away. Any reputable solar installer in Lancashire will display their MCS number proudly and be happy to have you verify it on the MCS website.
Ask about their surveyors, not just their sales team
The solar industry has a reputation for high-pressure sales tactics, and unfortunately some of it is earned. Watch out for companies that send a salesperson round to give you a quote without any technical assessment of your roof.
A proper solar survey should involve someone who actually looks at your roof angle, shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, the condition of your roof covering, and your electrical setup. The proposal you receive should be based on that assessment — not a generic system size.
If you get a quote that looks like it was produced in five minutes without anyone asking meaningful questions about your home, that’s a red flag.
Local vs national — what to consider
Large national solar companies spend heavily on marketing and can have slick processes, but they’re not always the best choice for homeowners in Lancashire. Service after installation can be slow when your local contact is actually based in another part of the country, and you may find yourself dealing with a call centre rather than someone who knows your area.
Local installers tend to be more invested in their reputation within the community. When the same installer is covering Blackpool, Preston, and Burnley, and they rely on word-of-mouth referrals in those areas, they have a stronger incentive to get the job done well and stand behind it afterwards.
That said, local doesn’t automatically mean better — standards vary. Check reviews, ask for references from recent local jobs, and look at how long they’ve been trading.
Warranties: what you’re actually getting
Solar installations come with multiple warranties covering different components:
• Panels: typically 25 years product warranty and a performance guarantee (often 80–85% output after 25 years).
• Inverter: usually 5–12 years depending on manufacturer. Some brands offer extended warranties.
• Installation workmanship: typically 2–10 years depending on the installer.
The thing to check is who is actually backing these warranties. A panel manufacturer’s 25-year guarantee is only as good as the manufacturer being around to honour it. Stick to established panel brands with proven track records.
The installation workmanship warranty is the one where the installer themselves are on the hook. Ask clearly: if something goes wrong with the installation in year five, what happens? How do they handle it?
Watch out for these tactics
A few things to be cautious of when getting solar quotes in Lancashire:
• Pressure to sign on the day. Genuine savings don’t disappear overnight. Any installer telling you that today’s price won’t be available tomorrow is using a sales tactic, not giving you genuine advice.
• Unrealistic yield predictions. Some companies inflate the projected electricity output of a system to make the payback period look shorter. Ask how they’ve calculated the generation estimate and whether it accounts for your specific roof orientation and local shading.
• Vague proposals. Your quote should clearly specify the number and brand of panels, the inverter model, battery details if applicable, and the precise system size in kWp. Generic proposals that say ‘solar panels as discussed’ are not acceptable.
• No site survey. If someone is quoting you without having visited your property, that’s a problem.
Getting multiple quotes
Getting two or three quotes is sensible — not just to compare prices, but to compare what’s actually being proposed. If one installer is recommending a significantly different system size to another, ask why. Understanding the reasoning will help you make a better decision.
Don’t automatically go with the cheapest. Installation quality matters enormously for a system that’s meant to be on your roof for 25 years. A few hundred pounds saved upfront can cost significantly more if the installation develops problems or if panels underperform due to poor configuration.
What to expect from a good installer
A reputable solar company in Lancashire will: visit your property to carry out a proper survey before quoting; explain clearly what they’re recommending and why; provide a detailed, itemised quote with product specifications; be transparent about realistic generation estimates; have recent verifiable local customer references; and be easy to reach after installation.
At Wise Energy Solutions, we cover Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, Preston and South Ribble, and Burnley and Pendle. We’re MCS certified, and we base every recommendation on a thorough assessment of your home. We’d rather take the time to get it right than rush a sale.
📞 Ready to get a proper solar quote? Call 01253804151or visit wiseenergy.co.uk — no pressure, just honest advice.