Independent by design · Devon & Somerset · Available 24/7
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The Solar Broker
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Solar panels installed on a South West home
Independent Solar Broker · Devon & Somerset

Independent solar advice, built around your home.

Independent by Design

We assess your roof, your electricity use and what you want to achieve before recommending whether solar is right for you. If it is, we help you compare suitable systems and carefully selected installers, without pressure or obligation.

  • MCS-vetted installers
  • £1 million Public Liability
  • DBS Certified
  • Systems from £6,995

Our advice costs you nothing. The installer you choose pays us a fixed fee, and every installer pays exactly the same.

The standards behind every recommendation

We check installer certification, consumer protection, insurance, trading history and finance permissions before presenting a company for your consideration.

MCS Certified installers
Required of every installer
EPVS registered
Checked for the specific proposal
Which? Trusted Trader installers
Available through selected installers
FCA-approved finance partners
Required where finance is offered
£1M Public Liability
Held by The Solar Broker
DBS Certified
Held by The Solar Broker
Why an independent broker

Advice before installation

Choosing solar involves more than comparing panel prices. Your roof, electricity use, future plans, battery requirements and choice of installer all affect whether the system will be right for you.

We begin by understanding your home and what you want solar to achieve. We then assess the property, design the appropriate system and help you compare carefully selected installers.

You remain in control throughout. You choose the installer, sign directly with them and only proceed when you are comfortable.

How we are paid

You do not pay The Solar Broker. The installer you choose pays us a fixed fee. Every installer pays the same amount, so there is no financial advantage in recommending one over another.

A recent solar installation completed by an installer on The Solar Broker's vetted panel

Advice without installer bias

Every installer pays us the same fixed fee, so our recommendation can be based on suitability, quality and value.

Your roof assessed properly

Your property is inspected in person, with roof condition, measurements, obstructions, shading and access considered before a system is recommended.

Evidence before design

Where appropriate, we use drone photography and professional design software to understand what can realistically be installed.

Support after installation

You retain our direct contact details, so you have someone to approach if you need help understanding warranties, tariffs, system changes or installer communication later.

What we help with

Nine ways an independent broker earns your trust.

All services

Solar Panels

Find out whether solar is worthwhile for your home, how many panels will fit and what the system could realistically generate.

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Battery Storage

We calculate whether a battery is likely to improve your savings, resilience or use of cheaper overnight electricity, rather than adding one automatically.

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EV Chargers

Choose a charger that works with your vehicle, electricity supply, solar system and future plans.

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Backup Power & Energy Independence

Explore systems designed to keep selected circuits running during a power cut and reduce your reliance on peak-rate electricity.

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Drone Surveys

Your roof is inspected and measured before we recommend a system, helping avoid unsuitable layouts, overlooked shading and unrealistic generation estimates.

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Free Solar Suitability Consultation

A 10–20 minute conversation about your home, electricity use and what you want solar to achieve. You will not be asked to make a decision during the call.

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Grants & Funding Guidance

We explain the funding, VAT, export and finance options that may apply to your circumstances, without suggesting that everyone will qualify.

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Compare Suitable Installer Proposals

Where suitable, we obtain comparable proposals from a small number of installers selected for your property, location and system requirements.

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Support After Installation

We don't disappear after install. You keep our direct number and we step in to resolve any aftercare issue with the installer, whenever it comes up.

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Not all solar advice is the same

An independent broker isn't a comparison site or a lead generator.

Some comparison and lead-generation websites pass your details to several installers, each of whom may contact you separately. Their role usually ends once the introduction has been made.

The Solar Broker assesses your requirements first, helps establish the right system and presents suitable installers for you to consider. Your details are not circulated indiscriminately, and you remain in control of who you speak to.

  • Installers are not ranked by how much they pay us
  • Fixed commission, so no installer bias
  • One consultant, from first call to switch-on
Nine ways we earn your trust

Independence is a business model, not a slogan.

Anyone can describe themselves as impartial. These are the safeguards built into the way we work, so you can understand how our advice remains independent.

  1. 01

    The advice is free

    You pay us nothing for the consultation, assessment or advice. If you proceed, the installer you choose pays us a fixed fee.

  2. 02

    Every installer pays us the same

    Every installer in our network pays the same fixed fee if selected, so there is no financial advantage in steering you towards one company over another.

  3. 03

    No commission bidding

    Installers cannot pay more to be recommended, promoted or placed ahead of another company.

  4. 04

    MCS certified installers only

    We require the relevant MCS certification for the installation. It supports recognised technical standards and the documentation commonly needed for export and certain funding routes.

  5. 05

    Insurance-backed workmanship protection

    We check that suitable protection is in place if the installer later ceases trading, and explain the terms before you proceed.

  6. 06

    Evidence-led survey

    Your home is assessed before a recommendation is made. Roof measurements, shading, obstructions, electricity use and practical installation details are considered as part of the design.

  7. 07

    A clear proposal without a same-day decision

    We aim to explain the system design and expected price during the visit. You are then free to review everything in your own time, without a manager's discount call or pressure to sign.

  8. 08

    You choose the installer

    Where appropriate, we present a small number of comparable proposals from installers suited to your job. We explain the differences, but the final decision remains yours.

  9. 09

    Support after the installation

    You keep our direct contact details. If you need help understanding an issue, warranty or installer response later, you can come back to us.

How it works

Five clear steps, with no pressure to proceed.

Visits are typically arranged shortly after the initial call, and where possible we explain the likely specification and costs during that visit.

  1. Step 01

    Free phone consultation

    A 10–20 minute conversation about your bill, your roof and what you want solar to achieve. We will also tell you when an in-person survey is unlikely to be worthwhile.

  2. Step 02

    Initial suitability check

    We consider your roof, electricity use, location and objectives before arranging a visit.

  3. Step 03

    On-site and drone survey

    We inspect the property, assess the roof, discuss equipment locations and gather the information needed to design the system properly. Wherever possible, we explain the likely system specification and costs during the visit. You are not required to make a decision there and then.

  4. Step 04

    Compare suitable proposals

    We present a small number of comparable proposals from installers suited to the property and specification, then explain the meaningful differences in plain English.

  5. Step 05

    You choose. We stay.

    You contract directly with your chosen installer. We remain available during the installation and afterwards if you need support.

Start with a free callAbout us
Installer standards

How we vet every installer we recommend.

Our installer network is deliberately selective, with local and national companies assessed against the same published standards. We review performance continuously. A company that no longer meets those standards is no longer recommended.

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  • MCS Certified

    Required across every installer we work with, the standard that protects grants and the Smart Export Guarantee.

  • Independently Underwritten Guarantees

    Warranties backed by an independent insurer, so cover holds even if the installer goes out of business.

  • Equipment with a proven track record

    We favour established manufacturers with accessible technical support, documented warranties and products that can be maintained in the future.

  • Fair value for the complete installation

    We compare the equipment, workmanship, protections, service and total price, not simply the cheapest headline figure.

  • Trading history and business checks

    We consider how long the company has traded, its accounts and company history, customer feedback and its ability to support installations after completion.

  • Quality of previous installations

    We review workmanship, documentation, communication and aftercare, not only online review scores.

  • Appropriate finance permissions

    Where an installer offers finance, we check the relevant authorisation and expect the full cost of borrowing to be explained clearly.

Accreditations we require

Every installer is assessed against the standards that matter.

These are the named schemes and consumer-protection frameworks our vetted panel is held to, the difference between a properly protected install and a cheap headline price.

  • Microgeneration Certification Scheme logo
    MCS

    Recognised technical standards for your installation.

    We require installers to hold the relevant MCS certification. This helps ensure the work follows recognised standards and supports the documentation commonly needed for export arrangements and certain funding routes.

    Required of every installer
  • Energy Performance Validation Scheme logo
    EPVS

    Independent validation of the performance figures on your quote.

    EPVS provides a recognised framework for calculating system performance and financial benefits. We require proposals to be based on properly supported assumptions rather than unexplained sales figures.

    Required of every installer
  • Electrical competent-person registration logo
    NAPIT or equivalent

    Electrical work completed and notified correctly.

    We check that the installer has the appropriate electrical competence and registration for the work being undertaken.

    Required of every installer
  • Government-endorsed quality scheme logo
    TrustMark

    Consumer protection through an approved scheme.

    Different installers may provide consumer protection through different approved schemes. Before you proceed, we explain exactly which protections apply to your quotation, who provides them and what happens if the installer stops trading.

    Protection varies by installer and proposal
  • Home Insulation and Energy Systems consumer code logo
    HIES

    Consumer protection through an approved scheme.

    Different installers may provide consumer protection through different approved schemes. Before you proceed, we explain exactly which protections apply to your quotation, who provides them and what happens if the installer stops trading.

    Protection varies by installer and proposal
  • Insurance-backed workmanship guarantees logo
    IWA

    Consumer protection through an approved scheme.

    Different installers may provide consumer protection through different approved schemes. Before you proceed, we explain exactly which protections apply to your quotation, who provides them and what happens if the installer stops trading.

    Protection varies by installer and proposal
  • Financial Conduct Authority authorisation logo
    Finance authorisation

    Finance explained clearly.

    Where finance is offered, we check that the relevant company has the appropriate authorisation. You should be shown the interest rate, total amount repayable, term and monthly payment before making a decision.

    Required where finance is offered
What each accreditation means
How we get paid

How our payment model protects your independence.

  • You pay The Solar Broker nothing for the consultation, assessment, advice or ongoing support described on this website.
  • The installer you choose pays a fixed fee if you proceed.
  • Every installer pays the same fee, so there is no financial advantage in recommending one over another.
  • We recommend the installer we believe offers the strongest overall fit for your property, priorities, specification and budget.
Consumer protection

Your protection does not stop at the invoice.

Your installation contract is with the installer you choose, which keeps responsibility for the work clear. Before you proceed, we help you understand the workmanship guarantee, manufacturer warranties, insurance-backed protection and any consumer code that applies.

If a problem later arises, we remain available to help you understand the correct route and communicate with the installer.

£1M Public Liability
Insured
DBS Certified
Verified
EPVS Installers
Registered
Where we cover

Independent solar advice across Devon, Somerset and south-east Cornwall.

Based in Topsham, Exeter, and covering homes across the stated EX, TQ, TA and PL postcode areas. Not sure whether your postcode is included? Call us and we will confirm before you book.

EX · Exeter Postcode
And surrounding areas within the EX postcode.
TQ · Torquay Postcode
And surrounding areas within the TQ postcode.
TA · Taunton Postcode
And surrounding areas within the TA postcode.
PL · Plymouth Postcode
And surrounding areas within the PL postcode.
Straight answers

The questions homeowners actually ask.

Can't see your question? Speak directly to us, no call-centre script and no pressure to book.

Nothing. The initial phone consultation and the full advice service are free. You only ever pay the installer for the work you agree to.

Ready when you are

One free call. Honest answers.
No sales script.

Spend 10–20 minutes telling us about your home, your electricity use and what you would like solar to achieve.

If solar does not appear suitable, we will tell you. If it does, we will explain the next step and, where appropriate, help you compare proposals from installers we have assessed. You will not be asked to make a decision during the call.

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