You would not buy a kitchen without measuring your space. So why are you buying solar without a proper electrical assessment?
Think about it. When you are planning a kitchen refit, you don’t just look at a photo and order cabinets. You measure every wall, check your plumbing capacity, assess your electrical supply and think about how you cook. You consider whether your gas supply can handle that new hob and whether your consumer unit can cope with additional appliances.
Yet every day, homeowners across the UK are buying solar systems based on nothing more than a roof measurement and last year’s electricity bill.
And solar companies are absolutely delighted about this.
The Analogy That Changes Everything
Imagine ordering a car based solely on the colour without checking the engine, taking a test drive or even knowing if it fits in your garage. Or planning your landscaping by ordering plants without knowing your soil type, drainage or which areas get sunlight.
Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
But that’s exactly what’s happening with solar installations across the country. Companies are selling systems like they’re selling widgets, one size fits most, quick quote, job done.
Here’s what most solar companies call an “assessment”:
- Quick Google Earth look at your roof
- Glance at your last electricity bill
- Standard system recommendation
- “Sign here”
Here’s what a proper electrical assessment involves:
- Detailed analysis of your existing electrical setup
- Consumer unit capacity and condition check
- Circuit loading assessment
- Future electrical needs planning
- Proper load calculations
- Inverter compatibility verification
- Grid connection requirements
- Earthing and bonding compliance
The difference? About £3,000 in performance, safety and future costs.
Why Solar Companies Love the Quick Quote
It’s faster. It’s cheaper for them. It requires less skilled staff. And most importantly, by the time you realise something’s wrong, they’ve moved on to the next customer.
The uncomfortable truth: Most solar salespeople couldn’t tell you the difference between a string inverter and a power optimiser if their commission depended on it. They’re not electrical engineers. They’re order-takers with tablets.
But here’s what happens when you skip the proper assessment:
The £3,000 Mistake Breakdown:
- Wrong inverter choice: £800 -1,200 replacement cost within 5 years
- Undersized system: £50 -100 monthly lost savings over 25 years
- Consumer unit upgrade needed: £500-800 (should have been identified upfront)
- Poor cable routing: £300-500 remedial work
- Grid connection issues: £200-400 in delays and additional costs
Add it up and you’re looking at £3,000+ in avoidable costs. Not to mention the stress, disruption and performance issues.
What A Proper Assessment Actually Looks Like
When our electrical engineers assess your property, they’re not just looking at your roof. They’re designing a system that integrates properly with your home’s electrical infrastructure.
We check things like:
- Can your consumer unit handle the additional load?
- Is your earthing system compatible?
- What’s the best cable route to minimise disruption?
- How will the system interact with your existing circuits?
- What happens if you add an electric car charger later?
- Is your meter position suitable for export readings?
Why this matters: Because solar isn’t just about panels on your roof. It’s about integrating a power generation system into your home’s electrical infrastructure. Get that wrong and you’ll be paying for it for years.
The Kitchen Analogy Revisited
When you plan a kitchen, you don’t just think about today. You consider how you might use the space in five years. Will you need more electrical sockets? Might you upgrade to an induction hob? Could you add a wine fridge later?
The same thinking applies to solar. A proper assessment considers your future needs, not just your current electricity bill.
Questions our engineers ask that others don’t:
- Are you planning an electric car?
- Might you add a heat pump in future?
- Could you benefit from battery storage later?
- What about an electric shower or hot tub?
These aren’t just nice-to-know questions. They’re essential for designing a system that works for your actual life, not just your current electricity usage.
The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong
Sarah from Reading learned this the hard way. She went with the cheapest quote; a company that promised a “quick and easy installation.” Six months later, her consumer unit failed under the additional load. The replacement cost £800 and her system was offline for two weeks.
“They never even looked at my fuse box,” she told us. “Just measured the roof and gave me a price. I thought all solar companies were the same.”
They’re not.
Why We Do Things Differently
Every consultation with us is handled by qualified electrical engineers, not salespeople. Every call is recorded so our directors can ensure you’re getting proper technical advice, not sales pressure.
Our assessment process:
- Electrical infrastructure review – Full assessment of your existing setup
- Load analysis – Understanding your actual electrical usage patterns
- Future-proofing – Planning for likely electrical additions
- System design – Bespoke configuration for your specific needs
- Integration planning – Ensuring everything works together properly
The result: A system designed for your home, not just your roof.
Don’t Be the £3,000 Mistake
You wouldn’t buy a kitchen without proper planning. You wouldn’t buy a car without checking it runs properly. So don’t buy solar without a proper electrical assessment.
The difference between a quick quote and proper engineering assessment isn’t just technical, it’s financial. Over 25 years, that difference compounds into thousands of pounds in performance, reliability and avoided problems.
Ready to experience the difference proper assessment makes?
Download our free UK Solar Guide or speak directly to our qualified electrical engineers. No sales pressure, no quick quotes – just proper technical advice from people who understand electrical systems.
Because when it comes to solar, the devil really is in the electrical details.