The short answer: yes, it is legal to install your own solar panels in the UK. For a full rooftop system it rarely saves money, because an uncertified installation cannot earn export payments or qualify for the government-backed loan.
What the rules require
- The electrical work must meet the wiring and building regulations. Connecting a solar system to your consumer unit is notifiable work. In practice it must be done or signed off by a registered electrician, or approved by building control.
- The network operator must be told. Small systems are notified after installation. Larger ones need approval first.
- Planning rules still apply. See planning permission.
What you lose without a certified installer
| Certified installation | Do it yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Export payments | Yes | Normally no |
| Warm Homes loan | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Insurance-backed guarantee | Yes | No |
| Workmanship warranty | Yes | No |
| Paperwork for a future house sale | Complete | Gaps a buyer's solicitor may question |
What it saves, and what it costs
Labour is about 20 to 25% of a typical bill, so on a £6,700 system you might save £1,300 to £1,700. You would still pay for scaffolding and an electrician.
Against that, a typical 4 kW system on a good tariff earns about £420 a year in export payments. Without certification you give that up, so the saving is gone in three to four years, and the panels last 25.
The safety side
Solar panels produce high-voltage direct current whenever light hits them, and the work is at height. Roof falls and electrical faults are the real risks. Poor fixings can also cause leaks that take years to show.
When doing it yourself does make sense
- Off-grid systems for sheds, garages, caravans and garden buildings, which are not connected to your home's supply.
- Plug-in solar. Small kits of up to 800 W that plug into a socket became legal in Great Britain in August 2026. See plug-in solar.
A middle route
Some homeowners buy the equipment themselves and pay a certified installer to fit and certify it. Not all installers will do this, and warranties can be harder to enforce, but it is worth asking.