How solar & battery installation works in Edinburgh
Installation happens in six clear steps: a no-obligation survey, a written design and quote, scaffolding and roof preparation, panel fitting, inverter and battery installation, and commissioning with a full handover. The whole on-site install usually takes one to three days, and every installation is by our MCS-certified partner.
A solar and battery installation is a significant piece of work on your home, so it helps to know exactly what to expect. We keep the process transparent and stage-by-stage, from the first survey through to the final handover. Below is what happens at each step, with notes on how Edinburgh's housing — from detached houses to tenement flats — affects the work.
The six stages of installation
1. Enquiry & no-obligation survey
You request a quote and we arrange a survey of your home. We measure the roof, check orientation and shading, inspect your switchboard, and review your household consumption to size the system correctly.
2. Design & written quote
We design a solar and battery system for your property and send you an itemised written quote showing panel count, battery capacity, inverter choice, and labour. There is no obligation to proceed.
3. Scaffolding & roof preparation
Once you accept, we schedule the install. Scaffolding is erected to give safe access to the roof, and the roof is prepared with mounting rails fitted to your tiles or slates.
4. Panel installation
Solar panels are fixed to the mounting rails and wired into strings. The roof penetrations are weathered to keep your roof watertight, whether it is concrete tile, slate, or a flat roof system.
5. Inverter & battery fit-out
The inverter is mounted — usually in a loft, garage, or utility room — and the battery is installed alongside it. Wiring is run neatly and the system is connected to your consumer unit.
6. Commissioning & handover
The system is tested, switched on, and registered. We walk you through how to monitor generation and battery use, and hand over the documentation. Installation is by our MCS-certified partner.
Survey and design in detail
The survey is the foundation of a good system. We visit your home (or carry out a detailed remote assessment where suitable) to measure the usable roof area, check its orientation and pitch, identify any shading from chimneys, dormers, or neighbouring buildings, and inspect your electrical consumer unit. We also look at how your household uses electricity across the day, because that drives the battery sizing.
From the survey we design the system: how many panels, what capacity battery, which inverter, and where each component will go. You receive a written, itemised quote with no obligation. If you have an existing solar array, we also assess whether an AC-coupled battery or a hybrid inverter upgrade is the better route.
What happens on installation day
On the first day, scaffolding goes up (where needed) and the team prepares the roof with mounting rails. Panels are then fixed and wired into strings, with all roof penetrations weathered. Inside, the inverter and battery are mounted in the agreed location and connected to your consumer unit. The system is earthed and tested before it is switched on.
For tenement and conservation-area properties, the team takes extra care with slate roofs, shared access, and any planning conditions. We agree the access arrangements with you in advance so there are no surprises on the day.
Commissioning and handover
Once the hardware is in, we commission the system: confirming generation, testing the battery charge and discharge cycles, and checking the monitoring platform is reporting correctly. We then walk you through how to read your generation and battery data, how the system behaves across seasons, and what to do if you have questions later. You receive full documentation, and the installation is registered through our MCS-certified partner.
Installed by MCS-certified partners
We arrange the survey, design, and project management. Every installation is carried out by our MCS-certified partner, so your system is registered and compliant.
After installation
We do not disappear once the panels are up. We are your point of contact for any questions about how the system is performing, and our MCS-certified partner handles the warranty and any service needs. If you want to expand your battery capacity later, we can advise on that too.
Ready to start? Arrange your survey or read about what it costs.