Solar panels come with paperwork, and a sale runs more smoothly when it is in order. Energy Saving Trust suggests buyers ask about system size, any battery and the MCS certificate, so prepare early. This guide shows what to gather before you list, and where leased panels cause trouble.
This guide draws on Energy Saving Trust, the Law Society and MCS. We do not give legal advice. Because every sale differs, your solicitor should check the details for your sale.
Why buyers ask about solar panels
Energy Saving Trust says asking about the system size, any battery and the MCS certificate helps when you move home. It also says a solicitor should help you understand the ownership and transfer forms. Involve your solicitor early, because they can help you understand these forms.
So have your answers and documents ready before you list the home, because gaps are easier to fill early.
The documents to gather
Start with the MCS certificate, since buyers may ask for it. MCS says certified installers must issue it to you, and that this should happen within 10 days of commissioning. MCS says it shows the system was designed, installed and commissioned to industry-recognised standards, using only MCS certified products from an MCS certified installer.
If you cannot find yours, contact the original installer first. MCS generates a copy itself only when the installer is no longer certified or operating. You then need proof of address and pay an admin fee of £30 plus VAT (£36 in total).
Then, collect the rest:
- the installer’s handover pack, including product details and user manuals
- every warranty, for the panels, inverter and workmanship
- any Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or Feed-in Tariff (FIT) agreement
- a recent energy bill that shows any export or FIT payments
- the date of installation and the name of the installer
In addition, the Law Society’s TA6 guidance supports this list. It tells sellers to share whether the system is owned or leased, when it went in and the details of any agreements. If you receive FIT or SEG payments, you attach the agreement and an energy bill to the TA6 form.
Owned panels
Owned panels are the simpler case, although you should still check the paperwork. Energy Saving Trust says to check whether the system is in the sale agreement, as it might appear in the fixtures and fittings document.
A buyer also needs to complete a change of ownership form to receive export payments. If the previous owner was in the FIT scheme, Energy Saving Trust says they should tell Ofgem that they no longer own the panels. Then the buyer can apply to receive the remaining FIT payments. Also, Ofgem holds more information for FIT generators.
Unlike FIT, SEG rates vary by supplier, says Energy Saving Trust, so a new owner may want to shop around.
Leased or rent-a-roof panels
Leased panels need more care. The Law Society says that when a provider installs panels for free, it usually keeps ownership. The homeowner signs a lease of the rooftop or airspace to the provider.
That lease can affect the sale, because lenders may not accept it. The Law Society says it may have an impact on mortgage lending, and a buyer’s lender might not accept it even if the seller’s lender did. Which? makes a related point that some lenders are wary when third parties own assets on the property.
The Law Society also says that UK Finance and the Building Societies Association have published guidance for solar panel providers on typical lender requirements. Sellers, buyers and solicitors can use it, and forward it to the provider if lending problems arise.
Contact the provider as soon as you decide to sell. Ask what the lease requires, what a transfer costs and how long it takes. Although we did not find an official figure for those costs, you can get them in writing.
Warranties and maintenance
Energy Saving Trust says panels usually come with a 25-year performance warranty and a five to 10-year product warranty. It also says the inverter generally needs replacing after around 12 years.
Knowing who installed the system, and when, helps you work out what cover remains. Even so, terms on transfer differ, so ask the installer or manufacturer whether each warranty passes to a new owner. Keep that answer in writing.
Our guide to how long installation takes explains when the certificate and network paperwork should have arrived. If any of it is missing, chase it now. The G98 and G99 applications explained post shows what proof of network notification should exist.
Insurance and the wider home check
Energy Saving Trust tells buyers to check whether home insurance covers the panels. Likewise, sellers can help by sharing details of their current cover. Read solar panels and home insurance for what to ask your insurer.
If your system has poor paperwork, that may be a clue to check how it was sold. Our solar panel quote red flags list shows which paperwork problems start at the quote stage, and how to check a solar installer before you buy.
Moving within or between nations
The TA6 form and the Law Society notes we cite may not apply everywhere in the UK. If you sell or buy in another nation, ask your solicitor which forms apply. You can also read about solar quotes in Scotland or what installers in Northern Ireland offer if you are moving there.
If you are planning ahead
If you plan to move within a few years, therefore, think about ownership from the start. Leased panels add steps to a sale, as above. Before you sign any lease, ask what happens when you sell.
When you compare solar quotes, ask each installer to state who owns the system, who holds the warranties and what a sale would involve. If you want quotes for owned systems, you can request quotes through our form. Solar Panel Price Check is not an installer, lender or legal adviser.