Simon Radley was certain that installing solar panels on his Kent family home in 2019 was a wise long-term investment. During the sales call, he had read the brochures, asked questions, and even obtained a positive, optimistic projection sheet that promised annual savings of £1,500. But after six months, that hope literally waned as the output of his system was severely undermined by overhanging trees and a nearby loft conversion. By the end of the first year, he remembers, “we were barely saving £400 a year, and the installer stopped answering calls.”
Across the nation, tales like Simon’s are remarkably similar. A growing number of homeowners are voicing concerns about solar, despite its reputation for lowering carbon footprints and providing long-term savings. Many of these concerns center on how poorly the technology was marketed, installed, or sized. Errors during installation often result in long-term regrets, especially in the UK where climate, planning regulations, and roof architecture can vary greatly.
| Factor | Description | Common Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Shading Issues | Poor assessment of roof shading, trees, chimneys, etc. | Significantly reduced power generation |
| System Undersizing | System too small for future needs like EVs or heat pumps | Inadequate savings; high retrofit costs |
| Misleading Financial Promises | Overstated savings and unrealistic bill-cutting projections | Disappointment with actual returns |
| Poor Installation Quality | Cheap workmanship, roof damage, electrical faults | Long-term maintenance problems and safety concerns |
| Lack of Battery Storage | No storage included in original setup | Wasted generation and low self-consumption rates |
| Customer Service Failures | Installers become unresponsive after installation | Warranty claims ignored; performance questions unanswered |
| Planning/Permission Oversights | Violations of building regulations or conservation laws | Legal disputes and trouble reselling property |
| Environmental and Logistical Concerns | Roof unsuitability, panel disposal, costly repairs | Additional expenses and reduced ROI |
| Climate-Related Performance Gaps | Winter generation drops or UK-specific weather effects | Expectations not met; seasonal imbalances |
| Financial Product Complexity | Misunderstood leases or PPA agreements | Difficulties in resale or unexpected ongoing costs |
Underestimating shading is one of the most frequently mentioned problems. Installers frequently failed to perform adequate shade analysis using drone-based modeling or Solar Pathfinder. The effects are palpable. System output can be lowered by as much as 40% even when partially shaded by a chimney or tree branch. Additionally, one shaded panel can degrade the performance of the entire array because many panels are wired in strings. This seemingly insignificant oversight turns into a significant annoyance over time.
Remorse also arises from system sizing, particularly as energy consumption changes. Households’ electricity needs rise significantly as more switch to electric vehicles or air-source heat pumps. However, a lot of solar configurations were made for models with static consumption. Previously content homeowners are now in need of expansion or battery retrofits. Notably, it is frequently 40–60% more expensive to retrofit a battery system later than to install it initially. One Bristol homeowner says, “I wish we’d just paid the extra £3,000 back then.” “Now, an upgrade would cost twice as much.”
Particularly problematic have also been unrealistic financial projections. Many owners were assured that they would receive monthly checks from excess power exported to the grid or that their energy bills would vanish overnight. In practice, imported electricity stays closer to 28p per kWh, while Smart Export Guarantee rates typically range between 4 and 7p. Households can only use 25–40% of their solar energy directly without battery storage, which means that a significant amount is sold cheaply and purchased back at a high cost. Many people feel misled by the discrepancy between expected savings and actual performance.
Another major regret is the quality of the installation. Attracted by cost savings of at least £1,000, homeowners who choose the least expensive installer often complain about problems like exposed cabling, improper mounting, or even water intrusion during storms. Even worse, some of these issues don’t show up until months or years later, by which time the installer might have lost business. Numerous complaints have been filed against businesses that no longer operate under their original names in places like Cornwall and Yorkshire.
Homeowners who choose installers with a long history of success and MCS certification, on the other hand, report significantly fewer complaints. These businesses usually offer yearly maintenance plans, post-installation system checks, and extended warranties—services that are especially advantageous for long-term system performance.
Another area where regret is deeply ingrained is battery storage. Batteries are still a significant upfront expense even though their prices are steadily declining. Many homeowners chose to put off this purchase because they thought it could be added later without any problems. However, they discover that their original inverter is incompatible or that costs have increased when they go back to the market. Additionally, early adopters who did install batteries express annoyance with models that are now outdated. One Reddit user commented, “We purchased the newest model back in 2016, but it isn’t compatible with our EV charger or smart meters.”
Customer service is a major concern. After the last payment was received, a number of households report that installers abandoned them. Others experienced protracted delays in fixing technical problems or were not given the right instructions on how to keep an eye on the functionality of their system. “We didn’t know how to read the inverter,” remembers an Essex homeowner. “We were never guided through it by the company.” The absence of a centralized service body for post-installation support adds to these disappointments, making even minor hiccups turn into persistent annoyances.
Remorse has also been sparked by planning permission violations, particularly among residents who live close to protected buildings or in conservation zones. Some homeowners received enforcement notices after failing to realize that their installations needed planning permission. Rarely, whole systems had to be shut down to prevent penalties or legal action. These circumstances are especially upsetting because they could have been prevented with careful investigation and open communication from the installer.
Another level of complexity is brought about by environmental concerns. Even though solar energy is unquestionably clean, the production and disposal of the panels themselves have an impact on the environment. Some models contain trace amounts of toxic materials, and the infrastructure for recycling old or damaged panels is still lacking. Although it complicates the story for environmentally conscious consumers seeking a completely sustainable solution, this does not necessarily negate the environmental benefits.
Disappointment is also sparked by seasonal performance disparities linked to UK weather. On overcast days, panels can still produce electricity, but their output significantly decreases. Particularly in northern areas like Scotland and Cumbria, energy production is significantly reduced during the winter months. Homeowners who anticipate steady performance throughout the year are frequently taken aback by the significant decline in output from October to February. Nonetheless, people who have reasonable expectations going into the solar journey frequently characterize these variations as tolerable rather than disheartening.
Then there is the matter of financial agreements. Despite being frequently portrayed as inexpensive entry points, solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are intricate legal documents. Homeowners may find themselves bound by long-term contracts that make it difficult to sell their property due to increasing payments, restrictive terms, and other commitments. Due to the reluctance of prospective buyers to take on solar-related debts or maintenance responsibilities, real estate agents have reported that deals have fallen through.
Even with all of these difficulties, regret isn’t the whole picture. According to independent surveys, 87% of homeowners in the UK who have solar installed say they would do it again if given the chance to do it correctly. Solar energy can be a very profitable investment with careful planning, expert installation, and a clear explanation of the technical and financial requirements.
Companies like Octopus Energy and Good Energy, which bundle system design, installation, and support into integrated packages, have recently raised the bar for service and transparency. Their significantly higher customer satisfaction scores point to a change in the industry toward more responsible procedures.