Solar PV
Solar Panel Installation in Cornwall
MCS-certified solar panel installation for homes across Cornwall, from your first survey through to commissioning. Every system is sized to your roof and your household’s actual usage, not a generic package. Solar and battery installations are also currently zero-rated for VAT, a relief that runs until 31 March 2027.
Free site survey
We assess roof orientation, shading and structural suitability before recommending anything.
MCS-certified fitting
Installed by MCS-certified engineers, the industry standard required for export tariffs and grants.
Sized to your home
No cookie-cutter systems. Panel count and layout are based on your household’s real usage.
Roof or ground-mounted
The right fit for your property.
Most Cornwall homes we work with use roof-mounted panels, which make efficient use of existing space and keep installation straightforward. Ground-mounted arrays are an option where roof space is limited, poorly oriented, or unsuitable for structural reasons. We’ll advise on the right approach for your property during the site survey rather than assuming one option fits every home.
Solar panels generate the most power during the day, which is often when many households use the least electricity. Pairing your system with battery storage lets you store that generation and use it in the evening, instead of exporting it back to the grid at a lower rate.
How it works
Sunlight in, electricity out.
Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, almost always monocrystalline silicon on modern residential installs, which generate a direct current (DC) whenever they’re exposed to daylight, not just direct sun. Panels still generate on an overcast Cornwall day, just less. An inverter then converts that DC electricity into the alternating current (AC) your home actually runs on, ready to power appliances or charge a battery.
Cornwall’s solar irradiance is among the highest in the UK, which is one reason systems here tend to pay back faster than the national average. Read more on our Why Solar in Cornwall page.
String inverters
One inverter serves the whole array. The lowest-cost option, and a good fit for a simple, unshaded roof.
Microinverters
One small inverter per panel. Costs more, but a shaded or complex, multi-aspect roof keeps generating normally even if one panel is in shadow.
Hybrid inverters
Built to work with battery storage from day one, so if you’re planning to add a battery now or later, this is usually the right starting point.
What to expect
Looking after your system.
Solar panels have no moving parts, so there’s very little to go wrong. An occasional visual check and keeping panels clear of heavy debris, moss or bird mess is generally enough for most Cornwall roofs, and rain does most of the work the rest of the year. Most manufacturers back panels with a 25-year (or longer) performance warranty, alongside a separate, shorter product warranty and our own workmanship warranty. Exact terms are confirmed in your quote, since they vary by product.
Inverters are the one component that occasionally needs replacing within a panel’s lifetime, typically after 10–15 years for a string inverter. We’ll cover expected inverter lifespan for your specific system as part of your quote.
Often installed together
Pairs well with.
Battery Storage
Store the power your panels generate during the day, so it’s available in the evening.
Learn MoreWhy Solar in Cornwall
Cornwall’s solar irradiance is among the highest in the UK. See why that matters.
Learn MoreCommon questions
Solar panel FAQs.
How long does a solar panel installation take?
Most residential installations are completed within one to two days, depending on the size of the system and your roof.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
Most home solar installations fall under permitted development and don’t need planning permission. Listed buildings and some conservation areas can be exceptions. We’ll confirm this during your survey, or see our Cornwall planning guide.
What maintenance do solar panels need?
Solar panels have no moving parts and need very little maintenance. An occasional visual check and keeping panels clear of heavy debris is generally enough for most systems.
How much roof space do I need?
It depends on your household’s electricity usage and how many panels you want to fit, which is exactly what a site survey establishes. We’ll model your roof’s usable area, orientation and any shading before recommending a system size, rather than quoting a generic number of panels.
Ready when you are
Get a free quote for solar panels
No-obligation quote, tailored to your roof. Takes about two minutes to request.