Trading Standards - Solar Panel Scams

2nd May 2026

There has been a recent increase in cold calls from companies offering solar panel servicing or wrongly telling people that they need to repair or upgrade their solar inverters or renew their warranty.
One man was advised by a cold caller that he needed a new inverter box, costing almost £4,000, for his solar panels, as they were over ten years old.

He agreed to have the new box installed, however the trader then told him he would also need to buy a voltage optimiser, as there was a fire risk due to the amount of power going through the box. This would cost a further £2,000.

The man was worried about the risk of fire, but contacted another company for a second opinion before agreeing to have the optimiser fitted. The second company, who were MCS-certified, told him that there were no issues with his solar panels or inverter and that they did not pose any risk to his property.

Another couple were visited by a salesperson who offered a special deal on solar panels, saying that if he installed them they would get 'free electricity for life'. They agreed to pay a deposit of £1,000 on the spot.
However, that evening they did some research into the company and found a number of negative reviews online. They decided to cancel the contract, but have still not received their deposit back.

There have also been reports of cold callers who offer to fit mesh or wiring around solar panels, supposedly to keep birds from landing on them. One couple agreed to have this done and were charged almost £1,000 for the work; however, they were subsequently told by the SSPCA that the wire was unsafe for wild birds and that it would have to be removed.

How to Avoid
If a cold caller tells you that your solar panels need to be serviced or that you need a new inverter, double check with the manufacturer first.

If you are concerned about your existing solar panels or any other energy saving measures in your home, seek impartial advice from trusted companies rather than cold callers or online adverts. Have an impartial assessment carried out to determine which energy saving measures will actually benefit your home.
You can do this by calling Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visiting www.homeenergyscotland.org - they also offer free and impartial information about energy saving measures.

Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.
Do plenty of research - get at least 3 quotes and check 3 review sites.

Find companies/contractors viat the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which certifies, quality assures and provides consumer protection for microgeneration installations and installers at https://mcscertified.com

Find legitimate installers of renewable energy products via the Energy Savings Trust’s Renewables Installer Finder: https://installerfinder.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

Find out more
Find contractors who are MCS Certified: https://mcscertified.com
Home Energy Scotland: energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-energy/electricity/solar-panels
Scam Share Spotlight PDF on energy scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-Energy.pdf
TSS website: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/energy-marketing-scams