How to Price a Solar PV Installation
Solar pricing is dominated by the array size, the roof, and whether a battery is included. Survey those three, and the inverter, cabling and commissioning follow.
A domestic solar PV install combines roofwork, DC and AC electrical work, and increasingly a battery and smart control. The price is driven by the array size in kWp, the roof type and access, the inverter and battery choice, and the DNO and commissioning obligations.
This guide covers how to survey the property, size the system, factor the parts most quotes underestimate, and present a clean price. It assumes an MCS-compliant install to BS 7671 with the DC and AC work certified and the system commissioned.
Key takeaways
- Array size (kWp), roof type and battery choice are the three biggest price drivers.
- Scaffold and roof access are a real, often-underestimated cost — get them quoted.
- DNO notification (G98) or application (G99) applies depending on system size.
- The install needs an EIC for the electrical work plus commissioning documentation.
- MCS certification is required for the customer to access export tariffs.
Survey the roof and the supply
The roof dictates the mounting cost: pitch, covering (slate, tile, metal), orientation, shading and structural condition all matter, as does access for scaffold. The supply dictates the electrical scope: where the consumer unit is, whether there is room for the AC isolator and generation meter, and the earthing arrangement.
A shaded, north-facing, awkward-access roof is a very different job from a clean south-facing slope with easy scaffold. Survey both roof and supply before you commit to a number.
Don't forget the scaffold
Roof access is one of the most commonly underestimated costs on a PV quote. Get a firm scaffold price in before you fix yours — it can swing the total significantly.
Size the system
Size the array to the roof space, the customer's consumption and their budget, expressed in kWp. Match the inverter to the array, and size any battery to the customer's usage pattern rather than to the biggest number you can sell. Oversizing a battery that never cycles fully is money the customer will not recoup.
Note the DNO obligation: smaller systems are notified under G98 after connection, while larger ones need a G99 application and approval before you switch on. Build any G99 lead time into your programme.
Doing this on a job? Job pricing calculator — part of TradePlanr. Free to start, no card needed.
Building the quote
Break it down: panels and mounting, inverter, battery, DC and AC cabling and protection, scaffold, labour, and commissioning. Materials are a large share of a PV job, so keep your supplier pricing current. Labour splits between roofwork and electrical work — price both against your rates.
Include commissioning and documentation: the electrical work needs an EIC, the system needs commissioning records, and MCS certification is what lets the customer claim export payments. Leaving MCS out of the price is a false economy the customer will notice.
Commission and certify in one place
Use TradePlanr to issue the solar PV and battery commissioning certificate plus the EIC from the same job, so the handover pack is complete before you leave the roof.
Presenting to the customer
Customers compare solar quotes closely, so show what they get: the array size, panel and inverter make, battery capacity, the warranties, and the certification. A transparent breakdown beats a single lump sum every time, and it justifies why the cheapest quote in the pile may be leaving something out.
From guidance to action
Frequently asked questions
What drives the price of a solar install?
The array size in kWp, the roof type and access (including scaffold), and whether a battery is included. Inverter choice, cabling runs and DNO obligations then finish the picture.
Do I need to notify the DNO?
Yes. Smaller systems are notified under G98 after connection, while larger installations require a G99 application and approval before commissioning. Check the thresholds for the system you are proposing.
What documentation does a PV install need?
An Electrical Installation Certificate for the electrical work, commissioning records for the system, and MCS certification so the customer can access export tariffs.
Related guides
Solar PV Installation Explained
The electrical side of a domestic solar PV install — DC strings, inverters, isolation and DNO notification.
How to Price a Fuse Board Upgrade
A practical pricing method for consumer unit changes — survey first, then build remedials and certification into the quote.
EV Charger Installation: A Practical Guide
Surveying, cable sizing, earthing and certifying a domestic EV charge point installation.
