Are you ready to take control of your energy costs and bring clean power into your home? At Fit Solar, we believe going solar should feel empowering—not confusing or stressful. Below is your roadmap: a reassuring, no‑jargon walkthrough of every stage in installing a home solar system in the UK.
Step 1 – Understand Your Energy Use
Before lifting a hammer, let’s start where good decisions come from: data. Dig out your electricity bills for the past year—these show how many kilowatt‑hours (kWh) you’re consuming. We’ll walk you through how to read them and find your average monthly use. Then, using our solar sizing tool (or with our help), you’ll see how many solar panels might cover your needs. This early insight steers everything else—oversize, and you waste money; undersize, and you won’t hit your goals.
Real‑world tip: many UK homes with average usage (around 3,000–4,000 kWh/year) find a 3–4 kW system is a sweet spot—balancing cost, roof space, and output.
Step 2 – Check Your Roof Is Suitable
Now imagine your roof under the midday sun. Is it facing the right way? Does a tree cast shade? Is the structure sound? Our team will visit and inspect: the orientation (south or southwest is ideal), pitch of the slope, shading throughout the day, and whether gutters, chimneys or other obstacles complicate things. We’ll also check whether your roof can take the load—panels, rails and wind all have weight, so a structural review is essential.
If your roof is older or needs some repair, we’ll flag it for you. It’s far better to fix or reinforce beforehand than to worry later.
Step 3 – Choose the Right System Type
Solar isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. At Fit Solar we guide you through your options:
- Grid-tied systems: connect to the national grid, with power flowing both ways. Ideal for the majority of UK homes.
- Hybrid systems (with battery): store excess electricity so you use more of your own generation later (e.g. overnight).
- Off-grid systems: completely independent of the grid—great for remote locations or energy freedom seekers.
We’ll help you decide what’s best based on your budget, goals (max savings? power resilience?) and site specifics.
Step 4 – We Handle Permissions & Paperwork
Here’s where many homeowners sigh in relief: you don’t have to do it alone. From applying for planning permission (if required) to submitting structural calculations and obtaining DNO (Distribution Network Operator) approval, we manage it for you. We prepare all the drawings, liaise with council and energy network teams, and keep you in the loop every step of the way. Our aim: no surprises, no delays caused by paperwork.
Step 5 – We Order & Inspect Trusted Components
Once approvals are in place, we source the solar panels, inverters, mounting rails, wiring, optional battery units, and monitoring systems. We only work with manufacturers we trust—brands with proven performance, strong warranties, and responsive support. Before we ship to your site, we inspect and quality-check everything. No cutting corners.
Step 6 – Your Solar Gets Installed by Pros
Installation day is exciting. Here’s how it unfolds:
- We mark out and install the mounting rails or brackets, taking utmost care to seal the roof and prevent leaks.
- We mount the solar panels, aligning them precisely for maximum sunlight exposure.
- All DC wiring is run neatly, through protective conduit, down toward your inverter.
- The inverter and safety components are installed in a clean, ventilated location.
- We test every string and circuit before declaring the system ready for inspection.
Our installers are experienced, certified and mindful of your property—no mess, minimal intrusion, and clear communications.
Step 7 – Inspection & Grid Connection
After the physical install, an inspector (from the local authority or electrical body) checks that everything meets UK and local regulations. Once passed, your energy supplier or DNO completes the final grid tie—energises the system—and flips the switch. That’s when you officially go live. Congratulations: you’re now generating your own clean electricity.
Step 8 – Monitor & Maintain with Confidence
When your system is live, it’s not “install and forget.” You’ll get access to a dashboard or app showing real-time generation, daily and monthly trends, and historical performance. If a panel underperforms or an alert is triggered, we or your local installer can investigate and correct it. Cleaning panels a couple of times a year helps maximise output. Periodic checks—wiring, attach points, inverter status—ensure your system stays healthy for decades.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Request Your Free Site Survey →
One of our solar experts will visit, map your roof, explain your best options—and give you a transparent, no-commitment quote. The only thing you lose? Your energy bills.
