Key takeaways
- • Plug-in solar in Great Britain is limited to a maximum output of 800W.
- • Savings depend heavily on how much electricity you use during daylight hours.
- • Permission may be required if you rent, lease or live in a managed building.
Warranty terms tell you a lot about how confident a manufacturer is, and how easy a claim will be.
The three warranties in a kit
Panels usually carry a product warranty of 10-15 years and a separate performance warranty guaranteeing around 80-87 percent of rated output at year 25. Microinverters typically carry 5-12 years. Mounting hardware is often 2-5 years, and is the part most likely to fail in UK weather.
What to compare
- Product warranty length for panel and inverter separately
- Whether the performance warranty is linear or stepped
- Who handles a claim: the UK retailer or an overseas manufacturer
- Whether shipping and labour are covered or just parts
- Whether removal and refitting costs are excluded
The practical test
A 25 year performance warranty is worthless if the company has no UK presence and you must ship a panel abroad at your own cost. Prefer a seller with a UK entity and a documented returns process.
Consumer rights
Regardless of warranty, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights against the retailer for goods that are not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose, for up to six years in England and Wales.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Fact-check status: reviewed. Read our editorial policy. General information only — not electrical, legal or financial advice.