--- title: "Solar Surveys | South East Solar Network" description: "Independent technical surveys and second opinions. Free quotes from vetted MCS-accredited installers across the South East." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "South East Solar Network", "url": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk", "areaServed": "South East England", "telephone": "+443335671183", "logo": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/favicon.ico", "image": "https://storage.googleapis.com/gpt-engineer-file-uploads/attachments/og-images/1696c2df-452b-4380-b418-fd3f1c9a128a" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/services" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which service should I choose first — panels, battery or EV charger?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In almost every case, solar panels come first. They generate the electricity a battery stores and an EV charger consumes, and the panel install determines your inverter choice for the other two. If budget is tight, start with a hybrid-inverter solar install sized for future battery capacity — it's cheaper to add the battery later than to retrofit the wrong inverter." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I have to buy all my services from the same installer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, but there are real advantages to bundling. A single installer means one warranty pack, one MCS certificate covering solar and battery, one DNO application, and no finger-pointing when something goes wrong. Bundled solar + battery + EV-charger quotes are typically 8-15% cheaper than three separate installers, and the commissioning is meaningfully cleaner." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does each service take to install?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar panels: 1-2 days on the roof plus a day for inverter and commissioning. Battery retrofit: 1 day. EV charger: half a day. Commercial installs: 1-3 weeks depending on system size. Scaffolding is usually delivered 1-2 days before roof work and removed the same week." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What warranties come with each service?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar panels: 25-30 years performance, 12-15 years product. Inverters: 10-12 years extendable to 20. Batteries: 10-15 years or 6,000+ cycles. Workmanship: 12 years via RECC / MCS. EV chargers: 3-5 years depending on brand. All warranties are backed by named manufacturers and transferable if you sell the house." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are all your services MCS-certified?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar PV and battery storage installs are MCS-certified — that is essential for the Smart Export Guarantee and for battery grant schemes. EV chargers do not fall under MCS but are installed to BS 7671 by qualified electricians registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. Maintenance and repairs are performed by MCS-registered engineers where the original install was MCS-certified." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you service systems installed by another company?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Around one in five service and repair calls we attend involves a system installed by another firm — sometimes one that has ceased trading. We re-bind monitoring, source spares, re-register the system on the MCS database where possible, and bring it back to full serviceable condition." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you offer commercial as well as residential services?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — commercial solar up to 500 kWp, agricultural buildings, community projects, workplace EV charging and battery storage integrated with demand-side response revenue. See the Commercial Solar service page for typical payback figures and grid-connection processes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I get a quote for multiple services at once?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use the quote form on this page and tell us in the notes field which services you're considering — for example 'solar + 10 kWh battery + 7 kW Zappi charger'. We'll match you to an installer who does all three in-house and can price the bundle as one job." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does a survey take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most surveys take 60-90 minutes including the roof inspection." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need to be home for the survey?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — we need internal access for the consumer unit, loft and proposed inverter location. Allow 90 minutes and have your last 12 months of electricity bills handy." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the report mine to keep?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The written report, photos, shading analysis and yield model are yours regardless of who you ultimately install with. Many customers use it to negotiate better terms with their preferred installer." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you survey if I already have solar?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — we offer expansion surveys (adding panels or a battery to an existing system) and condition surveys for homes you're buying or selling. Pricing is the same £199 fixed fee." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "/services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Solar Surveys", "item": "/services/solar-surveys" } ] } ] --- MCS-accredited · Vetted local installers · Free no-obligation quotes [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) [South East Solar Network ](/) [Services](/services)[Areas](/areas)[Guides](/guides)[Calculators](/calculators)[About](/about)[Contact](/contact) / [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183)[Free Quote](/contact) 1. [Home](/)/ 2. [Services](/services)/ 3. Solar Surveys # Solar Surveys Independent technical surveys and second opinions. Free quote surveys [Free quote](#quote)[Call 0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) MCS-accredited Vetted installers RECC · TrustMark ## Quote me for surveys Share a few details and a trusted MCS-accredited installer in your area will be in touch shortly. Full namePhoneEmail (optional)Postcode Notes (optional) Your privacy matters: We will only pass your details to **1 vetted solar firm** who we feel is the best match for your needs — never multiple companies. Get my free quote By submitting this form you agree to our [Terms of Use](/terms) and [Privacy Policy](/privacy). MCS Certified Installers RECC Consumer Code 0% VAT on Solar Up to 25-Year Warranty Finance From 0% APR Rated 4.9 / 5 on Reviews Jump to a section about surveys Whether you're getting a free quote from us or want an independent technical opinion on a quote you've received elsewhere, a proper survey is the foundation of any successful solar install. ## What a survey covers Roof structural assessment, orientation and pitch measurement, shading analysis (using fish-eye photo modelling), consumer-unit and meter check, cable routing, scaffolding access and DNO requirements. ## Quote audits If you've received a quote elsewhere and want a second pair of eyes, our independent survey service is £199 (refunded against your install if you proceed with us). We'll tell you straight if the proposal is reasonable or not. ## What we look for on the roof Tile or slate condition, age and any prior repairs; rafter sizing and centres versus the proposed array weight; ridge, valley and verge details; chimney and dormer shadow paths through the day; tree growth trajectory (5- and 10-year shading models); and existing penetrations like vent stacks that affect rail routing. Photos and measurements go into a written report you keep regardless of whether you install with us. ## Inside the property We measure the proposed inverter and battery location for ventilation, ambient temperature and fire-separation distances; check the consumer unit for spare ways and an RCD/RCBO arrangement compatible with PV; inspect the meter type (smart, dual-rate, single-rate) and main fuse rating; and trace likely cable routes through lofts, voids and risers — flagging any plasterwork that may need making good. ## Shading and yield modelling We use a fish-eye camera and Solar Pathfinder (or app-based equivalent) at each proposed array corner to capture the actual sky-dome and obstructions. Those readings feed a PVGIS / PVsyst yield model for your exact postcode — giving an annual generation estimate accurate to within ±5% under typical years. Cheap quotes that skip this step are often 10-20% too optimistic. ## Second-opinion red flags On quote audits we flag the usual suspects: panel models with no listed MCS reference, missing inverter manufacturer, no scaffolding line, '25 year warranty' that turns out to be performance-only with no product or workmanship cover, and inflated battery capacities that won't fit the named cabinet. Around a third of audits we run find at least one material misrepresentation in the original quote. Areas covered ## Counties we serve [ Surveys in Kent ](/solar-installers-kent)[ Surveys in Surrey ](/solar-installers-surrey)[ Surveys in Hampshire ](/solar-installers-hampshire)[ Surveys in West Sussex ](/solar-installers-west-sussex)[ Surveys in East Sussex ](/solar-installers-east-sussex)[ Surveys in Berkshire ](/solar-installers-berkshire)[ Surveys in Buckinghamshire ](/solar-installers-buckinghamshire)[ Surveys in Oxfordshire ](/solar-installers-oxfordshire)[ Surveys in Isle of Wight ](/solar-installers-isle-of-wight)[ Surveys in Essex ](/solar-installers-essex) [See every town we cover](/areas) Popular towns ## Surveys near you [ Surveys in Maidstone ME14 ](/solar-installers-maidstone)[ Surveys in Canterbury CT1 ](/solar-installers-canterbury)[ Surveys in Ashford TN23 ](/solar-installers-ashford)[ Surveys in Tunbridge Wells TN1 ](/solar-installers-tunbridge-wells)[ Surveys in Sevenoaks TN13 ](/solar-installers-sevenoaks)[ Surveys in Dartford DA1 ](/solar-installers-dartford)[ Surveys in Tonbridge TN9 ](/solar-installers-tonbridge)[ Surveys in Folkestone CT19 ](/solar-installers-folkestone)[ Surveys in Margate CT9 ](/solar-installers-margate) Related reading ## Helpful guides before you buy [ Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026? An honest, numbers-led look at solar economics, payback periods and ROI for UK homeowners — county by county. ](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk)[ Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin What you should actually expect to pay for a residential solar system in 2026 — fully installed, including all the bits. ](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk)[ Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback What batteries cost in 2026, which brands lead, and how to size storage so it actually pays back. ](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk)[ Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes How to model solar payback honestly — and what drives it up or down. ](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) Explore the topic ## Everything you need on surveys Descriptive links across our calculators, guides, services and local installer areas — pick the next step that fits where you are. Calculate Run the numbers - [Solar savings & payback calculator Model annual bill savings and payback years ](/calculators) - [What size solar system do I need? Right-size your array to your usage ](/calculators) - [Battery storage ROI calculator See the extra savings a battery unlocks ](/calculators) - [EV home charging cost calculator Compare charging on solar vs the grid ](/calculators) Learn Guides for surveys - [Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026? An honest, numbers-led look at solar economics, payback periods and RO ](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk) - [Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin What you should actually expect to pay for a residential solar system ](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk) - [Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback What batteries cost in 2026, which brands lead, and how to size storag ](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk) - [Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes How to model solar payback honestly — and what drives it up or down. ](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) Compare Related solar services - [Solar Panel Installation MCS-certified solar PV installs across the South East. ](/services/solar-panel-installation) - [Solar Battery Storage Tesla, GivEnergy, Fox ESS and more — fully fitted, fully certified. ](/services/solar-battery-storage) - [Solar Panel Maintenance Annual health checks that protect your investment. ](/services/solar-panel-maintenance) - [Solar Panel Repairs Fast diagnosis and repair, any brand. ](/services/solar-panel-repairs) Find installers Surveys near you - [Surveys installers in Kent Maidstone · Canterbury · Ashford ](/solar-installers-kent) - [Surveys installers in Surrey Guildford · Woking · Cobham ](/solar-installers-surrey) - [Surveys installers in Hampshire Southampton · Portsmouth · Winchester ](/solar-installers-hampshire) - [Surveys installers in West Sussex Worthing · Crawley · Horsham ](/solar-installers-west-sussex) FAQs ## What people ask How long does a survey take? Most surveys take 60-90 minutes including the roof inspection. Do I need to be home for the survey? Yes — we need internal access for the consumer unit, loft and proposed inverter location. Allow 90 minutes and have your last 12 months of electricity bills handy. Is the report mine to keep? Yes. The written report, photos, shading analysis and yield model are yours regardless of who you ultimately install with. Many customers use it to negotiate better terms with their preferred installer. Can you survey if I already have solar? Yes — we offer expansion surveys (adding panels or a battery to an existing system) and condition surveys for homes you're buying or selling. Pricing is the same £199 fixed fee. ## Get your free quote Vetted local installer · MCS certified · No obligation [Request my quote](/services/solar-surveys#quote)[Call 0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) South East Solar Network MCS-accredited residential solar installers across the South East of England. Vetted, insured, RECC-protected. [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) [quotes@southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk](mailto:quotes@southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk) South East Solar Network Courtwick Ln, Wick Littlehampton BN17 7TL Counties - [Kent](/solar-installers-kent) - [Surrey](/solar-installers-surrey) - [Hampshire](/solar-installers-hampshire) - [West Sussex](/solar-installers-west-sussex) - [East Sussex](/solar-installers-east-sussex) - [Berkshire](/solar-installers-berkshire) - [Buckinghamshire](/solar-installers-buckinghamshire) - [Oxfordshire](/solar-installers-oxfordshire) - [Isle of Wight](/solar-installers-isle-of-wight) - [Essex](/solar-installers-essex) - [All areas →](/areas) Services - [Solar Installation](/services/solar-panel-installation) - [Battery Storage](/services/solar-battery-storage) - [Maintenance](/services/solar-panel-maintenance) - [Repairs](/services/solar-panel-repairs) - [Commercial](/services/commercial-solar) - [EV Chargers](/services/ev-charger-installation) - [Inverters](/services/solar-inverters) - [Cleaning](/services/solar-panel-cleaning) Popular guides - [Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026?](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk) - [Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk) - [Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk) - [Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) - [Best Solar Batteries UK 2026: Honest Brand Comparison](/guides/best-solar-batteries-uk-2026) - [Solar Grants UK 2026: ECO4, 0% VAT, Smart Export Guarantee](/guides/solar-grants-uk-2026) - [All guides →](/guides) Company - [About](/about) - [Contact](/contact) - [Guides](/guides) - [Calculators](/calculators) - [Privacy](/privacy) - [Terms](/terms) © 2026 South East Solar Network. All rights reserved. MCS-accredited installer network · RECC consumer code · FCA-regulated finance partners [Call Now](tel:+443335671183) [Free Quote](#quote)