Start with who is asking

A genuine route can be checked on the public body’s own website. Therefore, the first questions are about identity. Ask them before you give out any personal details.

  • What is the full name of the scheme?
  • Which public body funds or runs it?
  • Can I reach the same route from GOV.UK, GOV.WALES, my council or another official site?
  • Is the person who contacted me a council officer, an installer or a lead company?

If an answer is vague, stop and check. Our guides to Warm Homes: Local Grant and Nest in Wales show what real official pages say.

Ask about your data

Your details are valuable, so ask where they go. A lawful enquiry should tell you who receives them and why. It should also say how long they keep them.

Ask these questions about data and consent, because they decide who can contact you later:

  • Who receives my details, and will they be passed on?
  • Is marketing consent optional and separate from the enquiry?
  • How do I withdraw consent later?

If you use our own form to request installer quotes, hold it to the same test. Specifically, it names its recipient, asks for clear consent and sits apart from the funding checker.

Ask about money

Next, ask what you will pay and when. Funding is rarely a simple gift, so look for the catch. For example, ask about fees, contributions, deposits, finance and any long-term obligation.

Many sellers say a grant covers everything. However, Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme, and suppliers choose what they fund. Read our page on ECO4 and solar panels before you accept a free-measures offer.

Ask about finance

If a loan is involved, find out who the lender is. In the UK, almost all firms that provide financial services must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. However, a registered firm may not be authorised. You can check a firm on the FCA Financial Services Register. The FCA says to avoid firms that are not authorised.

Credit agreements covered by the Consumer Credit Act usually give you 14 days to cancel after you sign. A card payment may give extra protection, but a loan from a separate lender may not. Our page on solar loans and finance explains the main options, and our solar panel finance checklist goes further.

Ask about the installer

Ask who will do the work, because you contract with them. For instance, look for an installer certified by MCS, the UK quality mark for solar panels. Our guide to how to check an MCS certified installer shows the steps.

Additionally, ask whether the company belongs to the Renewable Energy Consumer Code. The code advises members not to ask for more than 25% of the contract price as a deposit. It also recommends getting at least three quotes. See our guide to how to compare solar quotes.

Ask what happens next

Finally, ask about the practical side. Because plans change, a good answer comes in writing, before you sign.

  • Who surveys the roof, and when?
  • What happens if the work is unsuitable or late?
  • Can I sell spare power back to a supplier?

On the last point, the Smart Export Guarantee needs MCS certification and a meter that records exports. Our page on the Smart Export Guarantee explains it.

When to walk away

Pressure is the clearest warning sign. Be cautious if anyone says a deal ends today or asks you to pay to apply. Real schemes do not need you to decide on the spot.

However, if something feels wrong, read our guide to scams and red flags. The Competition and Markets Authority also explains which sales tactics break the law. You can always say no and check the facts first.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

What should I ask a company that offers me free solar panels?
Ask for the scheme name and the public body behind it. Then check that body's own website. Ask who pays, who owns the panels and whether you sign any finance or long contract.
How do I check a solar installer is genuine?
Use the MCS find-an-installer tool to see if the business is certified. Then check whether it belongs to the Renewable Energy Consumer Code. Do not rely on a logo alone.
Can I cancel a solar contract I signed at home?
Often you can. Citizens Advice says a 14-day cooling-off period usually applies to contracts agreed at home. Credit agreements also carry their own cancellation right.
How much deposit is reasonable for solar panels?
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code advises not paying more than 25% of the final contract price as a deposit. Ask for a written contract before you pay anything.