What does "Over 1,000 installations" actually tell you about an installer?

I’ve been writing this blog for over a decade now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that "experience" is the most abused word in the home improvement industry. You see it on every van, every website, and every glossy leaflet stuffed through the letterbox: "Over 1,000 installations completed!"

For a long time, I just took this at face value. I figured it meant they knew what they were doing. But after spending three weeks procrastinating on my own solar upgrade, drilling into the fine print, and asking some incredibly blunt questions to local installers, I’ve realized that 1,000 installs tells you almost nothing unless you know the right questions to ask.

With UK energy bills still a point of contention in 2026—and let's be honest, the "price cap" is just a fancy way of saying "we're still paying a premium for grid power"—getting your solar installation right is no longer just about being green. It’s about keeping the lights on without having to choose between the tumble dryer and the oven.

The "Installer Track Record" Myth

Let’s start with the hard truth. An installer can complete 1,000 jobs by doing 1,000 identical, bog-standard flat roof installs in a new-build estate. That’s repetitive, simple work. But what if your roof is a Victorian home battery self consumption 70 percent nightmare of hips, valleys, and chimney stacks? Does that 1,000-job track record include your specific scenario, or are they going to be using your roof as a learning opportunity?

When I talk to installers, I don't care about the total number anymore. I care about the type of experience. Here is the reality check table I’ve started using before I even let them near my front door:

Installer Claim What it actually means What you should ask "1,000+ installs" They’ve been in business a while. "How many of those were on roofs with my exact pitch and orientation?" "Fully certified" They hold the minimum legal standard. "Are you currently listed on the MCS database, and can I see your certificate number?" "Energy savings guaranteed" Marketing fluff. "Can you show me the actual kWh production estimate for my specific postcode?"

The MCS and ECO4 Elephant in the Room

If you aren’t checking for MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification, stop reading this and go check now. Without MCS, you aren’t getting those Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. It is the absolute floor of legitimacy in the UK.

Then there’s the ECO4 scheme. Look, I’ve seen some dodgy operators use ECO4 as a "hard sell" tactic, claiming they can get you "free solar" because of government grants. Listen to me: if it sounds like you’re getting something for nothing, usually someone else is paying for it through poor-quality panels or an inflated install price hidden elsewhere. If an installer leads with "government funding" rather than "energy performance," treat it like a red flag. Real pros want to talk about your kWh usage, not just your eligibility for a voucher.

The 2026 Price Cap Context: Why kWh matters more than £

I track my home energy consumption like a hawk. I know that when the tumble dryer is humming, the kids have their tablets on, and I’m making a coffee, my draw hits about 4.5kW. If your solar setup is only generating 2.5kW, you’re still pulling from the grid at 2026 prices.

You need to ask your installer for the kWh generation projection, not the "money saved" projection. Money changes; electricity units remain constant. A good installer will use software like YEERS or similar planning tools to model your home’s specific sun exposure. If they just give you a rounded-up "you’ll save £800 a year" figure, they aren't calculating; they're guessing.

A typical family home scenario:

Average Daily Usage: 10-12 kWh. Solar Capacity: 4kWp system. Expectation: On a decent summer day, you might cover 70-80% of your daytime load. On a bleak January Tuesday? You'll be lucky to get 10%. If an installer tells you otherwise, they’re lying.

The VAT Rule: The Silent Benefit

One thing that actually works in our favor right now is the 0% VAT rate on residential solar installations. This significantly lowers the upfront cost, meaning the payback period is shorter than it was back when I first considered this in 2014. However, don't let this tempt you into picking the cheapest quote. A cheap install that leaks or requires an inverter swap in three years is a false economy. I’ve calculated that a bad install job costs roughly 25% more over a decade than a slightly more expensive, high-quality install.

3 Questions to Ask Before Signing Anything

To avoid the marketing spin, I’ve started asking these three blunt questions. You’ll see them sweat a little, and that’s a good sign—it means they know you’ve done your homework.

1. "Can you provide references for installations completed in my specific area within the last six months?"

If they hesitate, they don't have a local track record. You want someone who knows how to handle the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) applications, as this is where most projects get held up.

2. "How exactly do you calculate the expected kWh output, and can you share the raw data for my roof?"

If they refuse to share the data, they are using a generic "best-case scenario" template. You want data that accounts for shading from your neighbour's tree or your chimney.

3. "What happens if I encounter an issue in 18 months? Is your aftercare team in-house or outsourced?"

The "hard-sell" companies usually outsource their maintenance. When something goes wrong (and it will, it’s technology), you want to call someone who actually remembers your name and your roof.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Eyes Open

Don't be blinded by the "1,000 installations" badge. It’s a vanity metric. What matters Boiler Upgrade Scheme 7500 is that your installer is MCS-accredited, they are transparent about the kWh production, and they treat your home like a bespoke engineering project, not a cookie-cutter box-ticking exercise.

Energy bills aren't going to get any easier to manage. Do the research now, spend the time reading the quotes properly, and for heaven’s sake, keep an eye on your own usage stats. No one cares about your electricity bill as much as you do—not even the guy holding the drill.

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Pub: 15 Apr 2026 02:13 UTC

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