Thinking about solar? This is your starting point. We’ve pulled together everything a UK homeowner or business needs to understand solar panels, battery storage and renewable energy — written plainly by MCS-certified installers working across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Use it as a map: each section links to a full, in-depth guide on that topic.
Costs, savings and whether it’s worth it
The questions everyone starts with — what it costs, what you’ll save, and whether it stacks up for your home.
- How much do solar panels cost? — what really determines the price
- Are solar panels worth it in 2026? — an honest look at the returns
- Solar panel grants and funding — 0% VAT, SEG and what’s available
- The Smart Export Guarantee explained — getting paid for your solar
Watch: your solar questions answered
Jack from our team answers the questions we are asked most often — what a system costs, how much roof you need, and what a battery actually adds. It is a quick way to get your bearings before working through the guides below.
Getting started and understanding the basics
- How do solar panels work? — a simple, jargon-free explanation
- How many solar panels do I need? — sizing a system for your home
- Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy — the balanced view
- Ground-mounted solar panels — when your roof isn’t the answer
Batteries, EV charging and energy independence
- Battery storage — store your solar power for evening use
- Tesla Powerwall — is it the right home battery for you?
- Home EV charger installation — charge your car on sunshine
- Zappi vs Ohme — the two most popular 7kW smart chargers compared
- Choosing a home charger — connectors, charging speed and eight UK models
- Off-grid solar systems — living independently of the grid
- Home air conditioning — efficient cooling and heating on solar
Caring for and protecting your system
- Solar panel maintenance — keeping your system performing
- Solar panel repair and insurance claims — getting faults fixed
- Bird proofing solar panels — stop pigeons nesting under your array
- Solar system support — what to check first, and how to reach our team
Solar for business and property
- Commercial solar panels — a guide for UK businesses
- Solar panels for farms and agriculture — putting land to work
- Solar panels for new builds and renovations — designing it in from the start
Choosing an installer where you live
Who fits your system matters as much as which panels go on the roof. These are our honest local buyer’s guides for 2026 — what to look for, what to ask, and how the market actually looks in each area we cover.
- Best solar panel installers in Dorset — the county-wide guide
- Best solar panel installers in Hampshire
- Best solar panel installers in Wiltshire
- Best solar panel installers in Bournemouth
- Best solar panel installers in Poole
- Best solar panel installers in Weymouth
- Best solar panel installers in Dorchester
- Best solar panel installers in Southampton
- Best solar panel installers in Winchester
- Best solar panel installers in Salisbury
- Best solar panel installers in Basingstoke
Whoever you end up shortlisting, read our checklist on what to check on a solar quote before you sign, and make sure you understand 0% VAT on solar panels and when it ends. You can also read our independent customer reviews to see how we compare.
Free tools to help you decide
- Is solar right for my home? — a quick, no-obligation suitability checker
- What size solar system do I need? — a rough system-size estimator
Ready to take the next step?
However far along you are, the best way to get answers specific to your home or business is a free, no-obligation assessment. As MCS- and NAPIT-certified installers covering Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, we’ll design a system around your roof, usage and budget. Get your free quote.