Choosing a Solar Panel Installer You Can Trust
Investing in solar panels is one of the best ways to reduce electricity bills, increase your home’s energy efficiency and protect yourself against rising energy costs. A well designed solar PV system can reduce your electricity bills for decades, increase your home’s value and help lower your carbon footprint. However, choosing the right installer is just as important as choosing the right solar panels.
Unfortunately, not every solar company provides the same level of service, transparency or consumer protection. That’s why independent schemes such as the Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS) were created.
At SolarTherm UK, we’re committed to delivering high quality solar installations backed by recognised industry accreditations. As an MCS Certified, NICEIC Approved and EPVS Gold Standard member, we believe homeowners deserve complete confidence that the performance figures and savings estimates they receive are accurate, transparent and supported by industry best practice.
Whether you’re based in Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Hertfordshire or anywhere across the South East and East Anglia, understanding what EPVS is can help you make an informed decision when choosing between solar panel installers.
What is EPVS?
The Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS) is an independent consumer protection scheme designed specifically for the renewable energy sector. Established in 2016, EPVS was created to improve confidence in the industry by ensuring that installers provide realistic performance predictions, accurate financial savings calculations and strong consumer protection throughout the customer journey.
Unlike some industry accreditations that focus solely on technical installation standards, EPVS looks at the complete customer experience – from the initial quotation through to installation and aftercare.
For homeowners, choosing an EPVS Gold Standard member provides reassurance that the company has demonstrated its commitment to transparency, professionalism and high standards.
Why Was EPVS Created?
As the renewable energy industry has grown, so has the number of companies offering solar installations. While many installers provide an excellent service, there have also been cases where homeowners were presented with:
- Overestimated energy generation
- Unrealistic financial savings
- Misleading return on investment calculations
- Poor documentation
- Inadequate consumer protection
EPVS was established to help address these issues by validating the performance information presented to customers and encouraging best practice across the industry.
Its aim is simple:
To give homeowners greater confidence that the information they’re using to make their investment decision is accurate and evidence based.
What Does EPVS Check?
An EPVS Gold Standard member is required to meet strict standards before becoming a member of the scheme. This includes demonstrating they provide:
Accurate Performance Predictions
One of the biggest concerns for homeowners is whether their new solar PV system will generate the electricity they’ve been promised.
EPVS requires its members to produce energy generation estimates sing recognised industry methodologies, helping ensure quotations are realistic rather than overly optimistic.
This means customers can have greater confidence that projected savings are based on credible calculations rather than sales targets.
Transparent Financial Savings
Savings estimates should never be exaggerated. EPVS encourages installers to present clear financial projections that take into account factors such as property location, roof orientation, roof pitch, expected energy generation, household electricity usage and export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). By validating these calculations, EPVS helps homeowners make informed financial decisions.
Professional Sales Practices
Buying solar panels should never feel like a high pressure sales process. EPVS expects certified installers to provide:
- Honest advice
- Transparent quotations
- Clear explanations
- Accurate documentation
- Professional customer communication
This helps homeowners compare solar companies with confidence.
EPVS and Consumer Protection
One of the biggest advantages of choosing an EPVS Gold Standard member installer is the additional focus on consumer protection. EPVS members are required to have appropriate safeguards in place, including:
- Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs): an insurance backed guarantee provides added reassurance that if an installer ceases trading during the guarantee period, qualifying workmanship guarantees remain protected.
- Consumer Code Membership: EPVS members must also belong to a recognised consumer code, such as HIES or RECC. These codes promote fair trading, clear contracts and high standards of customer care.
- Access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): while reputatble installers aim to resolve any concerns quickly and fairly, EPVS membership also requires access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), giving homeowners an independent route to resolving disputes if required.
EPVS and MCS – What’s the Difference?
Homeowners often see both EPVS and MCS mentioned when researching solar panel installers. Although they work together, they have different purposes.
MCS Certification
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) demonstrates that an installer has the technical competence to design and install renewable energy systems to recognised industry standards.
Choosing an MCS certified installer is usually required if you want to access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) offered by participating electricity suppliers.
EPVS Membership
EPVS complements MCS by focusing on accurate performance estimates, financial projections, consumer protections, sales documentation and professional customer service.
Together, these accreditation and membership provide homeowners with confidence that both the technical installation and the buying process meet high industry standards.
Why Choose an EPVS Certified Installer?
Choosing an EPVS member installer offers several important benefits. You can expect:
- Accurate performance calculations
- Transparent savings estimates
- Independent validation processes
- Professional customer care
- Strong consumer protection
- Clear documentation
- High standards of business practice
While no accreditation can guarantee a perfect experience, EPVS membership demonstrates a company’s commitment to doing things properly.
Why Homeowners Across the South East Choose SolarTherm UK
At SolarTherm UK, we understand that installing solar panels is a significant investment. That’s why we’ve chosen to maintain recognised industry accreditations that demonstrate both technical competence and customer commitment.
Homeowners across Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and the wider South East and East Anglia choose SolarTherm UK because we offer:
- MCS certified installations
- EPVS Gold Standard membership
- NICEIC approved electrical work
- Honest, transparent quotations
- Comprehensive solar panel warranty support
- High quality workmanship
- Ongoing aftercare and technical support
Our goal is simple – to provide every customer with confidence from the initial survey through to installation and beyond.
How to Choose Between Solar Companies
Before accepting a quotation, ask your installer:
- Are you MCS certified?
- Are you an EPVS member?
- What warranties are included?
- Is your workmanship guaranteed?
- How have you calculated my predicted savings?
- What consumer protection is included?
- Will you provide ongoing aftercare?
- Can I see examples of local installations?
The best solar companies are always happy to answer these questions openly and honestly.
Trust Matters When Choosing Solar
Solar panels are designed to last for a minimum of 30 year, making them one of the longest term home improvements you’ll ever invest in.
Choosing an installer with recognised industry accreditations such as EPVS and MCS gives you added confidence that your investment is based on accurate information, quality workmanship and strong consumer protection.
At SolarTherm UK, we’re proud to help homeowners across the South East and East Anglia make informed decisions with honest advice, transparent quotations and professional installations built to generate electricity quietly and efficiently for decades.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice – and the time you need to make an informed decision.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
EPVS stands for Energy Performance Validation Scheme. It is an independent scheme that promotes accurate performance calculations, transparent savings estimates and strong consumer protection within the renewable energy industry.
No. MCS focuses on the technical standards of renewable energy installations, while EPVS focuses on validating performance calculations, promoting fair sales practices and ensuring robust consumer protections.
An EPVS Certified installer has demonstrated a commitment to accurate system performance estimates, transparent documentation and recognised consumer protection measures, helping homeowners make informed decisions.
No. EPVS does not guarantee how much electricity your solar panels will generate. Instead, it helps ensure that the performance estimates provided before installation are calculated using recognised methodologies and presented transparently.
No. Your solar panel warranty is provided by the manufacturer and your installer. EPVS complements these warranties by promoting high standards of customer care and consumer protection throughout the buying process.
Look for recognised accreditations such as EPVS, MCS and NICEIC, check customer reviews, understand the warranties on offer and choose an installer with proven experience in your local area.
