Solar Panel Installers Insurance
Protect your solar installation business from roof damage claims, electrical faults and professional liability with cover built for the renewable energy sector.
Get in touchWhat is solar panel installers insurance?
Solar panel installers insurance is a specialist policy that covers businesses installing photovoltaic panels, battery storage and related electrical infrastructure. It typically includes public liability, employers liability, professional indemnity and tools cover.
Solar installation combines roofing work, electrical work and technical design, creating a unique risk profile. Roof penetrations, electrical faults and underperforming systems can all lead to client claims.
Find insurers who understand the renewable energy sector, so your cover reflects the combination of skills and risks your work involves.
Public Liability
Covers claims for roof damage, electrical faults or injury caused by your installation work.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ staff, covering workplace injury and illness claims.
Professional Indemnity
Protects you if a system you designed underperforms or your technical advice causes a financial loss.
Tools and Equipment
Covers your electrical testing equipment, power tools and specialist installation tools.
Who needs solar panel installers insurance?
Domestic solar installers
Fitting solar PV systems on residential roofs
Commercial solar contractors
Installing solar arrays on commercial buildings
Battery storage installers
Fitting domestic and commercial battery storage systems
Solar maintenance engineers
Carrying out cleaning, monitoring and repair of solar systems
Ground-mount solar installers
Installing solar farms and ground-mounted arrays
Licensing and accreditation for solar panel installers
Solar panel installers are not required by law to hold insurance, but all domestic and commercial clients expect proof of public liability cover. Typical minimum cover is £2m to £5m, depending on project size and whether work involves rooftop access.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and NICEIC are the primary accreditation bodies in the UK. MCS accreditation is required to access government grant schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee. This certification does not provide insurance but demonstrates technical competence and compliance with installation standards.
Solar installers must comply with the Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act, particularly when working on residential properties. Electrical safety is governed by BS 7909 and IEC standards. Insurance does not replace these compliance obligations, but it protects you if your work causes property damage or electrical hazards.
Public liability is critical for rooftop work where there is risk of falls, dropped tools or accidental damage to the roof structure. If your installation causes roof leaks, electrical fires or system failures, the resulting claims may be covered or excluded depending on whether the issue was caused by defective workmanship.
How much does solar panel installers insurance cost?
£350 – £900 per year for most sole traders; teams with employees and higher installation volumes may pay £900 – £2,000+ annually depending on scale of projects and rooftop work
Real claims: what solar panel installers insurance covers
A solar installer's work causes a roof leak during panel installation, leading to water damage to the client's attic insulation and ceiling plasterboard.
The policy covered the cost of emergency drying, removal of damaged insulation and repair of ceiling plasterboard. Public liability settled the claim at £3,200.
£3,200
A solar panel installer drops a panel from a roof during installation, and it lands on a parked car below, shattering the windscreen and denting the vehicle.
The policy covered the cost of windscreen replacement and full vehicle respray. Public liability settled the claim at £2,100.
£2,100
A solar installer's improper electrical connection causes an arc flash that damages the client's consumer unit and kitchen electrics, creating a fire hazard and requiring emergency repair by a qualified electrician.
The policy covered the cost of emergency electrical repairs and consumer unit replacement. Public liability settled the claim at £4,600.
£4,600
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Cover for roof and electrical work
Solar installation combines two higher-risk trades. Cecil finds insurers who cover both elements without gaps between policies.
Professional indemnity for system design
If a solar system you designed underperforms, professional indemnity covers the claim. Cecil includes this as standard for solar installers.
Insurers who understand renewables
The renewable energy sector is growing fast. Cecil works with insurers who already have expertise in covering solar and battery installations.
Fast quotes for a growing market
The solar sector moves quickly. Get options from specialist insurers to find insurance options in minutes so you can focus on installations.
Common questions about solar panel installers insurance
Do solar panel installers need insurance?
Yes, solar installation involves working at height on roofs and electrical work, both of which carry significant liability risks.
Do I need professional indemnity for solar installations?
If you design solar systems or provide energy yield estimates, professional indemnity covers claims if your advice causes a financial loss.
Does solar insurance cover roof leaks after installation?
Yes, if your installation causes a roof leak, your public liability policy covers the resulting damage claim.
What level of public liability do solar installers need?
Most solar installers carry between £2m and £5m. Commercial projects often require £5m minimum.
Does solar panel insurance cover battery storage installations?
Battery storage adds additional risk due to electrical complexity and fire hazards. Make sure your insurer knows you install batteries and covers this work explicitly.
What level of public liability do solar panel installers typically need?
Most solar installers carry between £2m and £5m of public liability cover. Larger commercial installations and rooftop work often require £5m to £10m.
Is MCS accreditation the same as insurance?
No. MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation is a technical and competence qualification that enables you to offer grants to customers. It does not provide insurance. You must hold your own public liability policy separately.
Does solar panel insurance cover damage if a panel fails or leaks?
Failure or defects in panels you have installed are not covered under public liability, as this is a defect in your workmanship. Professional indemnity cover is available separately to cover rectification costs.
Is professional indemnity insurance needed for solar installers?
Professional indemnity is not mandatory but is recommended if you provide design advice or energy yield guarantees. This covers costs if your calculations or advice are incorrect and the customer suffers financial loss.
Do solar installers need insurance if they only sell and do not install panels?
If you are selling panels and arranging installation through MCS-registered contractors, you do not need solar installer's insurance. However, you should hold products liability cover for the panels themselves if you supply them to customers.
Interested in Solar Panel Installers insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.