What a solar installer's website must show

Key takeaways

A solar installer's website should show MCS certification, which customers need for Smart Export Guarantee payments, membership of a consumer code such as RECC or HIES, deposit protection, product and workmanship warranties including any insurance-backed cover, and realistic, evidenced savings claims. Finance offers must follow FCA rules.

• Show MCS certification; customers need it for export payments.
• Show consumer code membership and deposit protection.
• Savings claims must be realistic and evidenced.
• Finance offers need the right FCA status.

What must a solar installer's website show?

A solar installer's website should show MCS certification, consumer code membership, deposit protection, warranties, realistic savings information, prices or guidance, and how a survey and installation work. Global Bridge Labs (GBL) sees certification and savings claims as the items buyers and regulators scrutinise most.

• What information should every business website have?
• Show your regulator and registration number online

Why does MCS certification matter?

MCS certification shows installations meet recognised standards, and an MCS-certified installation is generally needed for customers to receive Smart Export Guarantee payments for exported electricity. Show your certification number and link to the MCS installer search.

• Qualifications on your website: which ones to list
• Accreditation badges on your website: which to show

Which consumer protections should be explained?

Explain membership of a consumer code approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, such as RECC or HIES, deposit protection, insurance-backed workmanship warranties and the manufacturer warranties on panels, inverters and batteries. These protect customers making a large investment.

• Warranty information on your website: what to state
• Deposits and payment terms: say them on your website

How should savings be described?

Savings depend on roof orientation, usage, battery storage and energy prices, so give ranges with assumptions, not promises. The ASA has ruled against exaggerated solar savings claims, and advertising rules require objective claims to be substantiated. Show how a personal estimate is calculated.

• Inaccurate information on your website: the legal risk

What about finance offers?

Offering finance usually means credit broking, which needs FCA authorisation or appointed representative status. Use your finance provider's approved wording and include representative examples where required. Avoid presenting monthly repayments as if they were savings, and never let finance overshadow the full price of the system.

• Finance options on your website: FCA rules first

When is less information better?

Technical specifications for every panel model can overwhelm homeowners. Lead with outcomes, protections and process, and put detailed specifications on product pages or in quotes for the minority who want them. A homeowner deciding whether to book a survey rarely needs inverter efficiency curves.

• Product specifications and data sheets on your site

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see: an installer's homepage promises 'cut your bills by 70%' with no assumptions, while MCS and consumer code details sit in the footer. Replacing the headline claim with a worked, assumption-based example and moving protections up the page is more credible and lower risk.

• See client work
• Website Design & Development for UK businesses

Solar installer website checklist

• Show MCS certification and number.
• Show consumer code membership.
• Explain deposit protection and warranties.
• Give savings ranges with assumptions.
• Use approved finance wording.
• Explain survey and installation steps.

• What a pest control website should include
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Next step

Rewrite your main savings claim as a range with its assumptions stated. Then check MCS and consumer code details are visible above the fold.