Essential Solar
How it works

A simple, honest process — start to finish.

We're consultants, not salespeople. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you get in touch to the day your system is switched on (and beyond).

STEP 01

A proper conversation

We don't ask you to fill in a long online form. You call us, or drop us a line, and we'll book a proper 20–30 minute chat — either on the phone or a video call.

We want to understand your actual situation: your electricity bills, roughly how much you use, what your roof looks like, whether you have an EV or are thinking of one, and — most importantly — what you're trying to achieve. Lower bills? Energy independence? Environmental reasons? All of these lead to different answers.

What we ask

  • Annual electricity usage
  • Roof orientation & shading
  • Budget & funding preferences
  • Long-term goals

What you'll receive

  • System size recommendation
  • Realistic annual generation estimate
  • Payback period based on your usage
  • Honest guidance on whether to proceed
STEP 02

An honest assessment

We put together a plain-English summary of what we think makes sense for you — and, crucially, what doesn't.

If your roof is heavily shaded, if you use most of your electricity when the sun isn't shining and can't shift it, or if a battery doesn't pay back in a reasonable time, we'll tell you. We turn away a good number of enquiries every month because solar simply isn't right for them yet. That's the point of an independent consultant.

STEP 03

The right installer

If it makes sense to go ahead, we introduce you to one installer from our vetted network — the one we think is best-suited to your job.

Not three. Not five. One. We're not turning you into a bidding war — we're using our knowledge of who does what well to match you with the right team. We'll tell you exactly why we've chosen them, and we'll share what we know about their recent work, pricing, and typical timescales. If you don't like our choice, you're free to walk away. No pressure, no cost.

How we match you

  • Right specialism for your job
  • Coverage in your area
  • Availability that fits your timeline
  • Competitive pricing we've negotiated

We stay involved through

  • Contract & quote review
  • Technical survey attendance
  • Install-day sign-off
  • 6- and 12-month check-in calls
STEP 04

We stay involved

Most consultancies would take a fee and disappear. We stick around.

We review the paperwork before you sign anything. We're available on the day of install if you have questions. We do a formal handover to make sure you know how the system works and where the warranties are. And we check back in at six and twelve months to make sure the system is generating what it should — and stepping in with your installer if it isn't.

Common questions

Straight answers.

How much does the consultancy cost?
Your first conversation with us is free — always. If you'd like us to take you all the way through to install, we charge a small, transparent flat fee that's typically dwarfed by the savings we negotiate. We'll tell you the fee upfront before you commit to anything.
Do you take commission from the installers?
No. Taking commission from installers would compromise our independence, so we don't. Our income comes from our clients — meaning our interests are aligned with yours, not with any particular installer's.
Will you pass my details to anyone?
Not without your explicit permission. When you decide to move forward with an install, we'll introduce you to a single installer — and only once you've said yes. Your details are never sold, shared, or repackaged.
What if I already have a quote from another company?
Send it over. We offer a Quote Review service where we tell you honestly what's a fair price, what's inflated, what's missing, and whether the components are decent quality. Sometimes the answer is "actually that's a good quote" — and that's fine too.
Where do you operate?
Our consultancy is available across the UK by phone or video. Our installer network has strongest coverage in the South East, Midlands and East Anglia, but we work with vetted partners nationwide.
What happens if something goes wrong after install?
Your installer's warranties apply first — every partner offers an insurance-backed warranty as a minimum. If for any reason you're not getting the response you should, get in touch with us and we'll step in and advocate on your behalf.

Book your free first conversation.

Twenty minutes on the phone. No forms, no obligation, no sales pitch — just honest advice from someone who's been in the industry for years.

Get in touch Why choose us?