Installing on existing roofs
We specialise in installs on homes already built. On-roof systems are the usual choice; in-roof remains an option where roof works or re-tiling allow it.
Solar City services
Residential solar
Roof-mounted and in-roof systems for existing homes; designed around your usage, budget and how your property looks from the street.
Black-finish panels
We install sleek black-finish panels so your new array complements the home from the street rather than shouting for attention.
Minimum disruption
Our own in-house install team completes most residential systems within one to two working days once scaffolding and materials are ready.
Solar for West Midlands homes
Whether you live in a 1930s semi in Solihull, a Victorian terrace in Moseley, or a detached family house in Warwickshire, a domestic solar PV array should be sized around your roof geometry, shading and how your household actually uses electricity. Chris Hammond has worked in solar since 2002; D J Hammond Electrical Contractors Ltd carried out its first solar installs in 2005, and the Solar City brand launched in 2010 alongside co-director David Hammond.
In-roof systems can be fitted on existing roofs (particularly if you are already stripping tiles for a roof refurbishment), while on-roof mounting using stainless-steel roof hooks and aluminium rails is the practical, cost-effective choice for most homes in good repair.
We install leading panel, inverter and battery brands, chosen to suit your home and budget, including Aiko, Fox ESS, Sigenergy, EcoFlow, Trina and LONGi. Every residential installation is completed by our own engineers under MCS certification NIC-1542, giving you the MCS certificate and DNO commissioning letter needed to claim Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments for surplus electricity exported to the grid.
Typical residential system sizes & indicative prices
Our most popular 4 to 4.7 kWp residential systems (8 to 10 panels) typically cost around £4,600 to £5,100 (for example, 10 panels / 4.65 kWp is £5,085). Below are the indicative solar-only price bands from our instant solar design tool (3 kWp to 7.4 kWp+):
| System size band | Panel count & kWp | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 3 kWp | 6 to 7 panels (2.79 to 3.26 kWp) | Around £3,800 to £4,250 | 465W AIKO Neostar 2S panels with Fox ESS string inverter |
| About 4 to 4.7 kWp | 8 to 10 panels (3.72 to 4.65 kWp) | Around £4,600 to £5,100 | Typical 3-bedroom semi or detached roof (for example, 10 panels / 4.65 kWp is £5,085) |
| About 6 kWp | 13 panels (6.05 kWp) | Around £6,000 | Larger roof or dual-aspect array with Fox ESS string inverter |
| About 7 to 7.4 kWp | 15 to 16 panels (6.98 to 7.44 kWp) | Around £6,500 to £6,950 | High-demand household or multi-roof system |
Every figure is indicative, from the Solar City design tool at solarcityuk.co.uk/design. Scaffolding is extra (around £400-£500 per side) and an on-site survey confirms your final design and price.
- Free desktop design and quotation from your postcode
- MCS-accredited installation (NIC-1542) with TrustMark and RECC membership
- Battery storage and EV charger options planned in from the start if you want them
- Full DNO G98/G99 notification and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) handover pack
Common questions
How much does a residential solar panel system cost?
A typical 4 to 4.7 kWp residential system (8 to 10 panels) costs around £4,600 to £5,100 (for example, 10 panels / 4.65 kWp is £5,085). Across our instant design tool, solar-only systems run around £3,800-£4,250 for about 3 kWp (6-7 panels), £4,600-£5,100 for about 4 to 4.7 kWp (8-10 panels), around £6,000 for about 6 kWp (13 panels), and £6,500-£6,950 for about 7 to 7.4 kWp (15-16 panels). Every figure is indicative, from the Solar City design tool at solarcityuk.co.uk/design; scaffolding is extra (around £400-£500 per side) and an on-site survey confirms your final design and price.
Which solar panel and inverter brands do you install on homes?
We install leading panel, inverter and battery brands, chosen to suit your home and budget, including Aiko, Fox ESS, Sigenergy, EcoFlow, Trina and LONGi.
Should I choose on-roof or in-roof solar panels for an existing house?
For most existing houses, on-roof mounting over your current tiles or slates is the most cost-effective and minimally disruptive choice. In-roof (integrated) systems sit flush within the roof covering and are ideal when you are already re-roofing, building an extension or constructing a new-build property.
Do I get an MCS certificate for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
Yes. Solar City is MCS certified under NIC-1542. Once your installation is commissioned, we register your MCS certificate and submit your DNO G98 or G99 grid notification so you can apply to any UK energy supplier offering a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff.
Do I need planning permission for domestic solar panels?
Most West Midlands homes qualify under UK Permitted Development (Part 14, Class A), meaning no planning application is required provided panels sit within 200mm of the roof plane and below the ridge. Listed buildings and some conservation areas have additional restrictions, which we check during your desktop design.
Ready to talk through your project?
Free desktop design and quotation from a family-run MCS installer; no salespeople. See real installs in our case studies, or open the design tool for Solihull and West Midlands roofs.
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