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Solar Panel Installation

Slash your energy bills and generate your own clean, renewable power — installed by trusted local experts.

  • Cut your electricity bills by up to 70% per year.​
  • Lower your carbon footprint, saving up to a tonne of carbon annually.​
  • Export excess energy back to the grid and get paid via Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).​
  • Increase the long-term value of your home.​
  • Access energy-saving grants in Scotland where eligible.​
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What Our Customers Say​

4.6
Based on 930 reviews
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Alison K. profile picture
Alison K.
07:17 28 Mar 25
Great service
Robert W. profile picture
Robert W.
04:55 28 Mar 25
First class service, very professional would thoroughly recommend the maintenance service.
Stewart S. profile picture
Stewart S.
20:37 27 Mar 25
Came as agreed and did the job efficiently
Marion M. profile picture
Marion M.
07:33 20 Mar 25
Rajinder was a very polite young man carried out the service with no problems. Used overshoes and left no trace of him being in our house. Very satisfied with service from James Frew.
Alastair H. profile picture
Alastair H.
22:38 12 Feb 25
Annual Boiler service arranged without me requiring to contact. Was kept up to date with appointment date and time via text and email. Engineer arrived as arranged and was friendly, courteous and efficient. Been with James Frew Ltd for several years for my Central Heating boiler cover and have always been delighted with their service.
Celebrating M. profile picture
Celebrating M.
20:07 06 Feb 25
Excellent service from James Frew. We have been with them for at least 10 years and they are efficient and friendly. Our boiler is serviced by them on an annual basis with no issues and we had plumbing cover and the one time we needed them for a minor issue it was fixed quickly without any big wait that you get with some tradesmen. Also no hard sell from them everytime they service the boiler as we got with another major company. Highly recommended.
Janie C. profile picture
Janie C.
15:59 11 Dec 24
I contacted James Frew. Gas Sure for their Gold Home Care plan. Everyone was helpful and informative. Julian completed the initial inspection of our boiler/radiators and he was polite and informative explaining everything he was doing. I'm really happy with the cover I get from the Gold plan and happy with the price.
KEVIN H. profile picture
KEVIN H.
15:11 03 Dec 24
James Frew Ltd have been very professional and efficient so far. Communication has been excellent. Julian the engineer who inspected the boiler was quick, professional and knowledgeable when asked questions. The silver home plan is excellent value for money and provides peace of mind should anything go wrong.

Local Solar Panel Installers You Can Trust

With over 100 years of experience, James Frew installs high-quality, MCS-certified solar panel systems for homeowners, landlords, housing associations and local councils across Scotland.

By choosing James Frew as your chosen installer, you benefit from:

  • Expert engineers, electricians and solar installers.
  • Fully accredited service (MCS, RECC, Trustmark, NICEIC).
  • Honest advice on the entire process, from survey to installation and aftercare.
  • Live job updates via our digital tracking platform SimPRO.
  • A tailored quote with transparent pricing and clear guidance on funding.
  • Proven track record with large-scale public sector retrofit projects.

How It Works: From Survey to Savings

We make switching to a solar panel system easy, even if you’ve never looked into it before:
1

Free Home Survey & Eligibility Check

We assess your property and energy needs, then explain your options — including any grant funding or payback benefits.

2

Custom Solar System Design & Quotation

You’ll get a proposal tailored to your roof size, energy usage and budget, with no pressure and no hidden fees.

3

Solar Installation by Certified Professionals

Our team installs everything, including panels, inverters and battery storage (if needed), with minimal disruption and full compliance.

4

Aftercare & Support

We show you how to monitor your solar system and stay on top of your energy savings. Ongoing support is just a call away.

Book a Free Survey

Who We Work With

We’re a trusted solar panel installer for:

  • Homeowners.
  • Social landlords & housing associations.
  • Private landlords.
  • Public sector retrofit programmes.
  • Retrofit and decarbonisation schemes across Scotland.
Check Your Eligibility

Projects

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Air Source Heat Pumps Project

Halcrow Gretna

Do Solar Panels Work in Scotland?

Yes — even on cloudy days with low light. Solar panels generate green electricity from daylight, not just direct sunlight from the sun’s rays. In Scotland, a typical home can still generate enough energy to significantly reduce reliance on the national grid.

What About Grants or Funding?

We’ll guide you through available options such as:

1. Home Energy Scotland funding

Offers grants and interest‑free loans to help cover the cost of solar PV systems and other energy‑efficiency upgrades for eligible Scottish households.

2. ECO4 energy efficiency schemes

Government‑backed support aimed at lower‑income or vulnerable households, helping fund energy‑saving improvements like solar, insulation and heating upgrades.

3. Local authority or housing grant support

Some councils and housing providers offer additional funding or retrofit programmes for eligible homes, landlords or social housing projects.

4. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments

Pays you for surplus electricity your solar panels export back to the national grid, helping improve long‑term savings.

We’ll check your eligibility and help you with the application process.

*For impartial advice on funding, including grants or loans, contact Home Energy Scotland.

Renewable Energy Solutions for Your Home.

Slash your energy bills with energy-efficient measures installed by James Frew’s expert team.

Get a Smart Heating Grant in Scotland

Power your home with green energy provided by solar panels. Grants and funding available.

Find Out More

Home Insulation Grants

Reduce carbon emissions and keep your energy bills low with home insulation. Grants and funding available.

Find Out More

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps provide a clean heating system alternative to to traditional heating. Grants and funding available.

Find Out More

Ready to Switch to Solar?

Get a free survey and clear advice on solar panel installation from a trusted MCS-certified installer.

Check Your Eligibility
Speak to Our Team

FAQs

Solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), are one of the most popular choices for renewable energy. With energy prices continuing to rise, solar panels offer the chance to reduce costs (and your carbon emissions ) by using renewable energy to heat your home. Solar panels work by capturing the solar radiation (energy) that is given off from the sun and converting it into solar power electricity. The PV cells within the panels don’t need direct sunlight to generate electricity, meaning they work even on cloudier days.

There are three main types of solar panels used in the UK: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin‑film.

  • Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient and durable, making them ideal if you want to generate more energy from a smaller roof area.
  • Polycrystalline panels are slightly less efficient but more affordable, offering a strong balance between cost and performance.
  • Thin‑film panels are the most budget‑friendly and flexible, but they usually require more space to achieve the same output.

Whether you’re looking to power a typical household or a larger property, we assess your roof space, energy usage, and budget during your survey to recommend the most suitable option for long‑term savings and the most efficient production of solar energy for your home.

Not usually. In most cases, installing solar panels on your home is considered permitted development. We’ll confirm during your free survey.
Most homeowners see a return on investment in 5–7 years, depending on your energy usage, roof orientation and whether you include battery storage or SEG payments. To help you track your savings, modern solar systems include online monitoring tools or mobile apps. These show real-time energy production and help you understand how much electricity you’re generating, how much you’re using, and how much you’re exporting, so you can see the impact on your energy bills over time. During installation, we’ll walk you through how it works and what to look out for to ensure your system is performing efficiently.

Yes. We often install solar panels alongside heat pumps, insulation and smart controls as part of retrofit or decarbonisation schemes. Our solar experts will handle the entire process — from planning to installation.

We install on detached, semi-detached, bungalows, flats and social housing properties. If you have a roof and use electricity, we can help.
In many cases, yes. Funding schemes such as ECO4 or Home Energy Scotland may require a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and proof of recommended energy efficiency measures. We’ll review your situation and help you understand what’s required.
The number of panels required depends on your typical electricity usage, available roof space and the system’s output. For most homes, 8–12 solar panels (around 3–5kW systems) is common. For businesses or larger properties, we carry out a full site assessment and energy usage analysis to recommend a system size that delivers the best long-term benefit. Our team will design a setup that balances performance, cost and potential return through SEG payments and energy savings.
A battery storage system isn’t essential, but it can significantly increase the benefits of your solar panels. Instead of exporting unused electricity back to the grid during the day, a battery lets you store that energy and use it later — such as in the evening, at night or during peak tariff hours. This can help you rely less on the grid, make better use of your own electricity that you generate, and improve long‑term savings. During your survey, we’ll assess whether battery storage makes sense for your home, usage patterns and budget.
Solar panels are low‑maintenance, but occasional care helps keep them working efficiently. Simple steps like clearing debris or dirt from the panels can improve performance, especially over time. We also advise on professional inspections where appropriate, ensuring your system continues to operate safely and efficiently for years after installation.
Investing in solar panels is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon emissions and support renewable energy in Scotland. By generating your own green electricity, you’re helping to cut down on fossil fuel use and lower your household’s carbon footprint. Solar panels produce clean energy without releasing greenhouse gases, making a real difference in the fight against climate change. They also help conserve water, as solar power generation doesn’t require water as many traditional electricity sources do. The Scottish government and other organisations offer grant funding and incentives to encourage more people to adopt solar panels and other renewable energy solutions. By choosing solar panels, you’re not only saving on energy bills – you’re also contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for your community and the planet.
James Frew is an MCS-accredited installer and a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), which means we follow strict standards around consumer care, installation quality and after-sales support. We’ve also been in business for over 100 years, with a proven record of reliable service across Scotland.