Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, and British Gas all offer solar panel installation to UK homeowners. On the surface it looks convenient: one company handles your panels, your import tariff, and your export payments. But convenience almost always comes at a cost, and in the solar market that cost can run to thousands of pounds.
Independent MCS-certified installers generally charge significantly less for the same quality installation. And the key financial advantages, including import tariffs, export rates, and Smart Export Guarantee payments, are available to any solar owner regardless of who fitted the panels.
This guide compares what the major UK energy suppliers are charging for solar in 2026, how that pricing stacks up against independent installers, and whether buying from your energy supplier unlocks any genuine advantages you couldn’t get elsewhere.
Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Do Energy Suppliers Install Solar Panels?
- 3 Octopus Energy Solar Panels
- 4 E.ON Next Solar Panels
- 5 British Gas Solar Panels
- 6 Energy Supplier vs Independent Installer: Side-by-Side Comparison
- 7 The Key Thing to Understand: Unbundle Installation From Tariff
- 8 What to Look For in Any Solar Installer
- 9 Case Study: A Homeowner in Nottingham Compares Quotes
- 10 Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions
- 11.1 Does Octopus Energy install solar panels?
- 11.2 Does E.ON Next offer solar panels?
- 11.3 Does British Gas install solar panels?
- 11.4 Is it better to get solar from your energy supplier or an independent installer?
- 11.5 Do I have to use my energy supplier for solar export payments?
- 11.6 Will buying solar from my energy supplier give me better tariff rates?
- 11.7 How do I know if a solar installer is MCS certified?
- 11.8 What panels do energy companies use for solar?
- 12 Summing Up
Key Takeaways
- Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, and British Gas all offer solar panel installation services in the UK, typically through partnerships with third-party installation networks.
- Energy company solar packages are often priced 10–30% higher than comparable quotes from independent MCS-certified installers, you pay a premium for the brand name.
- The solar panels, inverters, and batteries used by energy company schemes are the same mainstream brands (Jinko, LONGi, SolarEdge, Fox ESS) used by independent installers.
- Choosing a supplier for solar installation does not lock you into that supplier for electricity, you can and should compare import and export tariffs independently.
- All solar installations must be carried out by MCS-certified installers regardless of who sells you the package, always verify MCS certification before agreeing to any solar quote.
Do Energy Suppliers Install Solar Panels?
Several of the UK’s largest energy suppliers now offer solar panel installation alongside their energy tariffs. This makes intuitive sense: a supplier that also installs your solar and battery storage can offer an integrated package covering both the hardware and the ongoing import/export tariff. It’s convenient, but convenience comes at a cost.
This guide reviews what Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, and British Gas each offer for solar in 2026, what you actually get for your money, and whether buying solar through your energy supplier makes financial sense compared to going directly to an independent MCS-certified installer.
Octopus Energy Solar Panels
Octopus Energy offers solar and battery storage through Octopus Energy Services, which installs solar panels, heat pumps, and EV chargers. Their solar offering is one of the more developed among UK energy suppliers.
What Octopus Offers
Octopus Energy Services installs solar systems using mainstream panel brands (LONGi, Jinko) with SolarEdge or Enphase inverter systems. They offer battery storage (typically Tesla Powerwall 3 or GivEnergy) as an add-on. Installations are carried out by their own directly employed installers or a managed network of MCS-certified subcontractors, depending on your region.
The key advantage Octopus offers is integration with their own tariffs. If you’re already on Octopus Agile, Octopus Intelligent, or their Flux tariff, a solar installation from Octopus can be configured to work with those tariffs automatically, including optimised battery charge/discharge scheduling around cheaper overnight rates.
Octopus Solar Pricing
Octopus Energy Services prices tend to be at or slightly above the market average. A typical 4kWp system with installation runs £8,000–£10,500. Battery storage (10kWh) adds approximately £4,500–£6,500 on top. These prices are competitive with the upper end of the independent installer market but not with the best independent quotes, which can come in 10–20% lower for equivalent hardware.
Verdict
Octopus is a solid choice if you value the integrated tariff experience and want your solar and battery managed as a single system through the Octopus app. The premium over independent installers is modest relative to the convenience benefit. Their SEG tariff (Outgoing Octopus, currently paying up to 15p/kWh) is also the best in the UK, you can access this regardless of who installs your solar.
Worth noting: The Outgoing Octopus export tariff is available to any solar owner with a smart meter, regardless of who installed their solar. You don’t need to buy your installation from Octopus to access their best export rates.
E.ON Next Solar Panels
E.ON Next (the UK retail arm of the E.ON Group) offers solar panel installation under their home services division. Their offering is more limited than Octopus’s in terms of tariff integration but covers the core solar installation requirement.
What E.ON Next Offers
E.ON Next installs solar PV systems through a network of approved MCS-certified installers. The panels and inverters used are mainstream mid-tier brands. They offer battery storage options alongside solar. E.ON’s solar packages include a 10-year installation workmanship guarantee alongside the manufacturer’s product warranties.
E.ON Next Solar Pricing
E.ON Next pricing is generally 15–25% above what independent MCS-certified installers quote for the same hardware specification. A 4kWp system from E.ON Next typically costs £9,000–£11,000. The installation workmanship guarantee is a genuine selling point for customers who value having a large corporate entity responsible for any installation issues, but independent installers are also required to carry insurance and workmanship guarantees under the MCS code of practice.
Verdict
E.ON Next is a reasonable option for customers who want the reassurance of a household brand name and are willing to pay the premium for it. The installation quality should be the same as you’d get from any competent independent MCS installer. The pricing premium is harder to justify when good independent installers are available in most areas.
Their SEG rate (E.ON Next Smart Export, currently 7.5p/kWh fixed) is below average, you’d be better off switching your export arrangement to Octopus Energy or OVO Energy to earn more on your exported electricity.
British Gas Solar Panels
British Gas offers solar panels through British Gas Energy Experts, their home services arm. As the UK’s largest domestic energy supplier by customer count, they have significant distribution reach.
What British Gas Offers
British Gas installs solar PV using their network of HomeCare-registered engineers and approved MCS-certified installers. Systems use mid-tier panel brands with string or microinverter options. Battery storage is available as an add-on. British Gas packages typically include an extended customer service relationship, tying the installation into their existing HomeCare service framework.
British Gas Solar Pricing
British Gas solar pricing is among the more expensive in the UK market. A 4kWp system costs approximately £9,500–£12,000 through British Gas. Battery storage adds another £4,500–£7,000. The premium over independent installers is significant, often 20–35%. This premium covers the British Gas brand premium, marketing costs, and their customer service overhead.
Verdict
British Gas solar is the most expensive option in this comparison. Existing British Gas customers may feel reassured by the familiar brand, but from a financial standpoint, the premium is substantial. For equivalent hardware and the same MCS-certified installation standard, you can typically save £1,500–£3,000 by going directly to an independent installer.
Their SEG rate (British Gas Solar Export, currently 7.5p/kWh) is also below average, another reason to separate the installation decision from your export tariff choice.
Energy Supplier vs Independent Installer: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Octopus Energy Services | E.ON Next | British Gas | Independent MCS Installer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 4kWp cost | £8,000–£10,500 | £9,000–£11,000 | £9,500–£12,000 | £7,000–£9,500 |
| MCS certified? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (required) |
| Panel brands | LONGi, Jinko | Mid-tier mainstream | Mid-tier mainstream | Varies, you can specify |
| Battery options | Tesla PW3, GivEnergy | Various | Various | Full range, you choose |
| Tariff integration | Excellent (Agile, Flux) | Basic | Basic | Works with any tariff |
| SEG rate | Up to 15p/kWh (Outgoing) | 7.5p/kWh | 7.5p/kWh | Choose separately, up to 15p |
| Price vs market | 5–15% above average | 15–25% above average | 20–35% above average | Market rate |
Prices as of April 2026. Always get multiple quotes before committing to any solar purchase.
The Key Thing to Understand: Unbundle Installation From Tariff
The most important concept when evaluating energy supplier solar packages is this: you do not have to buy your installation from the same company you get your electricity from, and you do not have to use the same company for electricity imports and solar exports.
This means:
- You can get your solar installed by an independent MCS installer (potentially £1,000–£3,000 cheaper) and still switch to Octopus Energy for their 15p/kWh Outgoing Octopus export tariff.
- You can import electricity from whichever supplier offers the best import rate (often Octopus Intelligent at 7–9p/kWh overnight) while exporting on a completely different tariff.
- You don’t lose any entitlement to competitive tariffs by choosing who installs your panels, as long as the installation is MCS-certified (which all reputable installers are).
The perceived convenience of a “one-stop shop” from an energy supplier has a real financial cost. Separating installation from tariff choice, and shopping competitively for each, is almost always the better financial decision.
What to Look For in Any Solar Installer
Whether you buy through an energy supplier or directly, these standards are non-negotiable:
- MCS certification: All solar installations in the UK must be carried out by MCS-certified installers to be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Verify the installer’s MCS certificate number at the MCS register (mcscertified.com) before signing any contract.
- RECC membership: The Renewable Energy Consumer Code provides consumer protections including a deposit protection scheme and access to an independent dispute resolution service. Check your installer is a RECC member.
- At least three quotes: Solar pricing varies significantly. Get at least three quotes, from different installers, for the same specification before committing.
- Workmanship guarantee: Minimum 10 years is standard. Products carry separate manufacturer warranties (typically 25 years for panels, 10–12 years for inverters).
Case Study: A Homeowner in Nottingham Compares Quotes
Background
A homeowner in West Bridgford, Nottingham, received a solar installation quote from their existing energy supplier (British Gas) and wanted to understand if this was competitive pricing.
Project Overview
The British Gas quote was £10,800 for a 4.2kWp system (10 × 420W panels, string inverter, basic monitoring). No battery was included. The homeowner then requested quotes from three independent MCS-certified installers.
Implementation
Quotes from independent installers ranged from £7,200 to £8,500 for equivalent or better specifications. One quote at £7,800 included a 425W panel upgrade to LONGi Hi-MO 6 panels (slightly higher efficiency than the British Gas specification) with a SolarEdge string inverter. Another quote at £8,100 included microinverters (Enphase) and a 10-year extended workmanship guarantee.
Results
The homeowner chose the £7,800 independent installer quote, saving £3,000 compared to British Gas for superior hardware. They then registered for the Octopus Energy Outgoing Octopus SEG tariff at up to 15p/kWh, compared to British Gas’s own SEG rate of 7.5p/kWh. On an estimated 1,800 kWh annual export, the better export tariff alone adds approximately £135 per year in income. Over a typical 25-year panel life, the combined saving from lower installation cost and better export rate exceeds £6,000.
Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers
One of our senior solar panel installers with over sixteen years of UK experience advises:
“We see this regularly, a customer has been quoted by their energy supplier and assumes it’s competitive because they trust the brand. Nine times out of ten, they’re paying a significant premium for the same panels and inverter they’d get from an independent installer. The installation quality is the same either way, it all comes down to MCS-certified engineers doing the physical work. My advice is always: get the energy company quote as a benchmark, then get two or three quotes from independent MCS installers and compare on specification. The savings are almost always substantial.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Octopus Energy install solar panels?
Yes. Octopus Energy Services offers solar panel installation through their home services division, using a combination of directly employed engineers and an approved network of MCS-certified subcontractors. They offer solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps, and EV chargers. Pricing is at the upper end of the market, typically 5–15% above independent installer quotes, but their tariff integration (Octopus Agile, Flux, Intelligent) is a genuine differentiator for technically engaged customers.
Does E.ON Next offer solar panels?
Yes. E.ON Next installs solar panels through their home services network using approved MCS-certified installers. Their pricing is 15–25% above the independent installer market for equivalent hardware. The installation is covered by a 10-year workmanship guarantee. E.ON Next’s SEG export rate (7.5p/kWh) is below the market best, you should register separately with a higher-paying SEG supplier regardless of who installs your solar.
Does British Gas install solar panels?
Yes. British Gas offers solar installation through their Energy Experts home services arm. Their pricing is among the highest in the UK solar market, typically 20–35% above independent MCS-certified installers for equivalent specifications. If you’re considering British Gas solar, get independent quotes first: the savings are often £1,500–£3,000 on a standard domestic installation.
Is it better to get solar from your energy supplier or an independent installer?
For most households, an independent MCS-certified installer offers better value than an energy supplier solar package. The installation quality is the same (MCS certification is the standard regardless of who commissions the installation), but independent installers typically quote 10–35% less for equivalent hardware. You can then choose your import and export tariffs independently, including the highest-paying SEG tariff (currently Octopus Outgoing at up to 15p/kWh), regardless of who installed your panels.
Do I have to use my energy supplier for solar export payments?
No. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can choose any licensed SEG provider for your export payments, completely independently of your electricity import supplier and completely independently of who installed your solar. This means you can import from British Gas, export to Octopus Energy (for their 15p/kWh flexible rate), and have had your solar installed by an independent MCS installer. All three are separate decisions.
Will buying solar from my energy supplier give me better tariff rates?
Not necessarily. Octopus Energy is the exception, their Agile and Flux tariffs do offer genuine benefits when paired with their solar and battery systems, and the integration is seamless via their app. For E.ON Next and British Gas, buying solar from them doesn’t unlock any special import or export rates beyond what’s available to any solar owner. Their SEG rates (7.5p/kWh each) are also below what you can get by registering with Octopus Energy or OVO Energy directly.
How do I know if a solar installer is MCS certified?
Check the MCS certified installer register at mcscertified.com. Every legitimate solar installer in the UK should be listed there. MCS certification is mandatory for installations that wish to claim Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments, any installation without MCS certification is ineligible for SEG income. Always verify MCS status before signing a contract, regardless of whether you’re buying from an energy supplier or an independent installer.
What panels do energy companies use for solar?
Energy company solar installations typically use mainstream Tier 1 panel brands, LONGi, Jinko Solar, and Trina Solar are common. These are the same brands used by many independent installers and represent good quality. The panels themselves are not a differentiator between energy company and independent installer quotes, the difference is in pricing, service packaging, and the profit margin being taken at each level of the supply chain.
Summing Up
Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, and British Gas all offer solar panel installation, but they all cost more than going directly to an independent MCS-certified installer. The quality of the installation is the same (the same MCS standards apply to everyone), and you can access the same or better import and export tariffs regardless of who installs your panels.
The main exception is Octopus Energy, whose tariff integration (Agile, Flux, Outgoing Octopus) genuinely adds value for the right customer, but even then, their pricing is above independent market rates and their tariffs are available to any solar owner.
The strongest financial outcome is almost always: get your solar installed by the best-value MCS-certified independent installer, then register for the best available import and export tariffs separately. Our team can help you understand what to look for and provide a competitive, no-obligation installation quote.
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