Already Have a Solar Quote? Get It Sanity-Checked — Free
Solar is a 25-year purchase, and most people only ever see one quote. Before you sign, let a second set of MCS-certified eyes go through it line by line. If it's a good deal, we'll say so — and you can sign it with confidence.
Why Get a Second Opinion?
Two solar quotes are rarely quoting the same job. One includes scaffolding, the grid application and an insurance-backed warranty; another leaves them out to hit a headline price. The checklist below is what we'd want spelled out before signing anything — whether the quote is ours or anyone else's. We don't do name-and-shame — and when a quote is solid, we say so.
What a Scottish Solar Quote Should Include
Nine things to check before you sign. Bring your quote to us and we'll go through every one of them with you — free.
Full hardware spec, by name
A good quote: Panel make, model and wattage; inverter brand and model; battery make with its usable capacity in kWh. Every component named, so you can look up its warranty and real-world reviews.
Red flag: "Tier 1 panels" or "premium battery" with no model names. You can't compare prices, check warranties or verify claims on a mystery product.
Scaffolding — included or extra?
A good quote: Scaffolding on a typical two-storey Scottish home usually costs around £500-£750. A proper quote either includes it in the price or itemises it clearly.
Red flag: No mention of scaffolding at all — which can mean a surprise invoice after you've signed, or corners cut on working at height.
Who handles the DNO application (G98/G99)
A good quote: Systems that can export more than 3.68 kW per phase need approval from your electricity network operator (SP Energy Networks or SSEN in most of Scotland) before installation — a "G99 application". The quote should say who submits it and that installation waits for the approval.
Red flag: "We'll sort the paperwork later." Retrospective approval can mean your export gets capped — or refused — after you've already paid.
MCS certificate — and when you'll get it
A good quote: No MCS certificate, no Smart Export Guarantee application — you can't get paid for exported electricity without it. It should be issued within days of commissioning, and the quote should say so.
Red flag: Vague or missing certificate timelines. Every week spent chasing paperwork is a week of export income you can't claim.
Workmanship warranty, in writing, insurance-backed
A good quote: A stated workmanship warranty (separate from the panel and inverter manufacturer warranties) that's insurance-backed — so it still protects you even if the installer stops trading.
Red flag: Verbal promises, or a warranty that lives and dies with the company that gave it.
Realistic generation figures
A good quote: MCS methodology puts most of central Scotland at roughly 790–860 kWh per kWp per year for a south-facing roof (Glasgow ~840, Edinburgh ~860). So a 4 kWp system in Glasgow generating around 3,360 kWh a year is realistic — and the quote should show the MCS estimate for your actual roof.
Red flag: Generation promises far above the MCS estimate with no shading or orientation survey to justify them. Optimistic kWh in the quote become disappointing kWh on your roof.
Honest savings assumptions
A good quote: The savings maths should state its assumptions: the electricity price used, how much of your generation you're assumed to use yourself, and export income at a realistic Smart Export Guarantee rate. Savings are always estimates — a good quote says so.
Red flag: Guaranteed savings, "£0 bills", or projections that quietly assume you're home all day using every kWh the panels make. (A generation guarantee backed by the MCS estimate is different — generation is measurable; savings depend on usage and prices no installer controls.)
VAT shown correctly
A good quote: Home solar and battery installations are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. The quote should simply reflect that in the price.
Red flag: 0% VAT dressed up as a special discount the installer is generously giving you — it's government policy, and every installer's price includes it.
Deposit protection and cooling-off
A good quote: MCS installers must belong to a consumer code with deposit protection — the quote should say which one. You also normally have a 14-day cooling-off period for contracts signed at home or online.
Red flag: Pressure to sign for a "tonight only" discount. A real price is still real next week — manufactured urgency usually means the maths doesn't survive a second look.
Been told about a government grant as part of the pitch? Check it against our guide to what solar funding actually exists in Scotland in 2026 — some schemes salespeople still mention were withdrawn years ago.
How the Quote Check Works
No pressure, no hard sell — a plain-English verdict on the quote in front of you.
Book a Slot
Pick a time that suits you — a quick call or a home visit, whichever you prefer. Have the written quote to hand.
We Go Through It Line by Line
Hardware, scaffolding, grid paperwork, MCS timeline, warranty, generation and savings assumptions — checked against the nine points above.
You Get a Straight Answer
If the quote holds up against the checklist, we'll tell you — sign it with confidence. If it falls short, we'll show you exactly where, and you decide what to do next.
Hear from Viking Clan Members Taking Charge of Their Energy Bills
Excellent based on 98 reviews.
Jun 16, 2026
Solar installation
"Viking were very responsive from the outset. There was no hard sell and everything was made very clear. The installation took place as planned with all the paperwork in place the day after installation. No complaints at all, did what they said and on time."
John Nichols
May 18, 2026
Very impressed with Viking
"There were no pressure selling tactics that I experienced from other companies… the installation was carried out in one day in a very professional way, with everything left very tidy."
Karl L
May 18, 2026
Alpha batteries and inverter fitted
"I had Viking electrical fit some Alpha batteries and invertor to my house… My son in law had just had this system fitted by Viking and I was very impressed with the job they had done."
Mark Murray
Mar 23, 2026
Super positive experience overall
"From my first contact with Viking until our system(s) went live I could not fault the service we received… No sales pressure just solid friendly advice. Now we are live and we have a neat well installed system I am very satisfied."
John W Beveridge
Sep 25, 2025
First Class Service
"We are absolutely delighted with the advice and installation of our PV system. Having access to the app to see the power we are generating and returning to the grid is addictive! We highly recommend this team."
SM
Aug 14, 2025
Exemplary Communication
"The standard and level of communication was exemplary from the outset. This gave us the reassurance and confidence to proceed. On the day, the team worked collaboratively and the care they took was obvious."
Paula
The Valhalla Guarantee: Total Peace of Mind
We believe a guarantee should be simple, powerful, and transparent. We've combined comprehensive insurance cover with our own service promises into a single shield that protects you at every stage of your journey. Here's what our guarantee includes:
1. DEPOSIT & INSTALLATION GUARANTEE
Your deposit is fully protected and our workmanship is guaranteed for a decade. This promise is backed by independent insurance, securing your investment against the biggest risks in the industry.
2. A PROMISE, NOT A PROJECTION.
We guarantee your system's official MCS production estimate for the first year. If it underperforms, we pay you the difference — simple as that.
3. VOUCHED FOR BY OUR CLAN
A guarantee is only as strong as the company that makes it. We're proud of our stellar reputation, reflected in public reviews and our partnerships with major UK energy and technology brands.
Quote Check Questions
No. Our policy is simple: we don't name or criticise other installers — we check the quote against the same checklist on this page, whoever wrote it. If it holds up, we'll tell you so — even though we'd rather win the job ourselves. If something's missing or the numbers look optimistic, we'll show you exactly where, in plain English.
Just the written quote or proposal you were given. If it includes a system design or generation estimate, bring that too. A recent electricity bill helps us sense-check the savings assumptions but isn't essential.
It's free and there's no obligation. Our angle is simple and we're open about it: some people who get a quote checked ask us to price the same system, and we win enough of those to make the time worthwhile. If you take your original quote, you've lost nothing and gained a second opinion.
Usually not. Contracts signed in your home or online normally come with a 14-day cooling-off period, and MCS installers must belong to a consumer code that protects your deposit. It's still worth checking the quote — you may be perfectly happy to proceed once you've seen it stands up.
The same few come up again and again: unnamed "Tier 1" hardware, scaffolding missing from the price, nobody handling the G99 grid application, generation figures well above the MCS estimate for the roof, and discounts that expire the moment the salesperson leaves. Any one of them is worth a second look before you sign.
Can't find the answer you're looking for?
Two Quotes Beat One
Bring us the quote you've got. Fifteen minutes with it could save you from a 25-year mistake — or confirm you've already found a good deal.