When Is the Best Time to Get Solar Panels in Scotland?
Solar price analysis by the Solar Installers Scotland team | Updated March 2026
When is the best time to get solar panels in Scotland?
The best time is before the 0% VAT deadline ends, ideally ordering in autumn or winter when installer waiting lists are shortest.
The best time is now — before the 0% VAT deadline on 31 March 2027, which applies to solar panels and batteries. Savings depend on your roof, usage and tariff — a no-obligation survey gives figures for your home. For the shortest waiting times, autumn and winter bookings are 4-6 weeks faster than spring/summer.
When does 0% VAT on solar panels end?
0% VAT on solar panels and batteries applies until 31 March 2027. After that, the standard 20% rate is scheduled to apply.
0% VAT on Solar Ends
31 March 2027
After this date, 20% VAT applies to all residential solar installations
Why you need to act well before March 2027
As the deadline approaches, installer waiting lists will grow significantly. In the months before the Feed-in Tariff ended in 2019, waiting times stretched to 6+ months. We expect similar demand surges in late 2026 and early 2027. To guarantee installation before the deadline:
- •Start getting quotes by September 2026 at the latest
- •Confirm your installer by November 2026
- •Schedule installation for January-February 2027
- •Starting now gives you the most flexibility and choice
When are solar installers busiest in Scotland?
Spring and early summer see the highest demand, with waiting lists often stretching to 8 to 12 weeks compared with 3 to 6 weeks in autumn and winter.
Spring (Mar-May)
Peak demand. Longest wait times (8-12 weeks). Homeowners motivated by longer days and approaching summer. Book early or expect delays.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
High demand. Still busy (6-10 weeks). Best weather for installation but higher prices due to demand. Some installer holiday closures.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Best value window. Shorter wait (4-6 weeks). Installers more flexible on pricing. System ready for winter/spring generation.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Quietest period. Fastest bookings (3-5 weeks). Best negotiating position. Installation is fine in cold weather — panels actually perform better when cool.
How long does it take to get solar panels installed in Scotland?
From first enquiry to a working system typically takes 4 to 12 weeks depending on season, scaffolding needs, and DNO approval requirements.
Week 1-2: Get and Compare Quotes
Request quotes from 3-4 MCS-certified installers. Most provide initial quotes within 3-5 working days based on your address and electricity usage. Compare like-for-like on panels, inverter, and warranty.
Week 2-3: Choose Installer and Pay Deposit
Select your preferred installer, confirm the specification, and pay the deposit (typically 10-25% or £500-£1,500). This secures your place in their installation schedule.
Week 3-4: Site Survey
An engineer visits your home to confirm roof suitability, structural integrity, wiring capacity, and optimal panel placement. The survey takes 1-2 hours. Any design adjustments are finalised here.
Week 3-6: DNO Notification (Parallel Process)
Your installer notifies the Distribution Network Operator (Scottish Power or SSE) of the planned installation. This happens in parallel with other steps and takes 2-4 weeks. No action needed from you.
Week 4-12: Installation Day (1-2 Days)
The installation itself takes just 1-2 days for a standard system. Scaffolding goes up in the morning, panels and inverter are installed, wiring is completed, and the system is commissioned and tested. You have solar power by end of day.
Week 5-14: MCS Certification and SEG Registration
Your installer completes the MCS certification (mandatory) and you register for the Smart Export Guarantee to earn money from exported electricity. This process takes 1-2 weeks after installation.
Should you wait for solar panel prices to drop further?
Prices have largely stabilised, and waiting risks missing the 0% VAT window — the right timing depends on your plans for your home.
Planning home renovations
If you are re-roofing, adding an extension, or upgrading electrics, coordinate solar installation with these works. You can share scaffolding and can run wiring during the renovation rather than retrofitting.
Buying an EV in the next 12 months
Install solar before the EV arrives. Size the system to include EV charging capacity now — adding panels later costs significantly more due to return scaffolding and inverter upgrades. A 6-7kWp system covers both home and typical EV charging.
Considering a heat pump
Solar and heat pumps work well together, as solar generation can supply some of the heat pump's electricity. Size your system at 5-6kWp minimum to support both home electricity and heat pump consumption.
Selling your home within 2-3 years
Think about how long you plan to stay. Solar panels can be an attractive feature for buyers, but the effect on value varies by property and market. Savings depend on your roof, usage and tariff — a no-obligation survey gives figures for your home.
Your Action Plan: What to Do This Week
- 1
Check your annual electricity usage
Log into your energy supplier account or check your smart meter. Note your annual kWh consumption.
- 2
Look at your roof from the street
Note which direction your main roof slopes face (south, east/west), any shading from trees or buildings, and visible obstructions like dormers.
- 3
Request 3-4 quotes from MCS-certified installers
Use our comparison tool to get matched with vetted, local installers. Quotes are no-obligation and take 3-5 working days.
- 4
Compare quotes and ask questions
Use our after-getting-quotes guide to compare like-for-like and make a confident decision.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation. We install through MCS-certified partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 0% VAT rate on residential solar panel installations is currently set to end on 31 March 2027. After that date, VAT reverts to the standard 20% rate. Installing before the deadline means the 0% rate applies to your solar panels and any battery. We recommend starting the quote process by late 2026 at the latest to ensure installation before March 2027.
No. Winter installation is perfectly fine and often advantageous. Installers have shorter waiting lists in autumn and winter (typically 4-6 weeks vs 8-12 weeks in spring/summer). Your system starts generating from day one, and while winter output is lower, you benefit from the longest days in summer just months after installation.
The typical timeline in Scotland is 4-12 weeks. Getting quotes takes 1-2 weeks, choosing an installer and scheduling takes 1-2 weeks, the site survey is 1 week, and installation itself takes 1-2 days. Grid connection (DNO notification) takes 2-4 weeks but can happen in parallel. During peak demand (March-July), total timelines stretch to 10-14 weeks.
Panel prices have stabilised in 2025-2026 after significant drops in 2023-2024. Further large price reductions are unlikely in the near term. Waiting also risks missing the 0% VAT window, which ends on 31 March 2027. Savings depend on your roof, usage and tariff — a no-obligation survey gives figures for your home.
Yes. Most existing solar installations can be retrofitted with a battery, though you may need a hybrid inverter upgrade if your current inverter is a string-only unit. A no-obligation survey confirms what is needed for your system.
Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status.
Call us on 0141 230 0198 or use our online form — we arrange a no-obligation survey, then send a written quote.
Last updated: October 2026