
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Straight answers for Aberdeen homeowners.
Quotes, solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and the grid, answered in plain English.
Quick answer
Most Aberdeen homeowners ask how to get a quote, whether their roof suits solar, whether a battery can be added to existing panels, and whether a heat pump works in a granite home. The short answer is usually yes: a survey checks your property, then you receive a written, no-obligation quote before anything is agreed.
Last updated: · Reviewed by the Scottish Energy Efficiency team
GETTING A QUOTE
Getting a quote
Do you install in Aberdeen?
Yes. We arrange solar panels, batteries and heat pumps for homes across Aberdeen, Aberdeen City and every AB postcode in Aberdeenshire. Our installation partner carries out the work after a survey of your property, so nothing is agreed until you have seen a written quote.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Usually, yes. Most existing solar systems can take a battery, either alongside your current inverter or with a hybrid inverter. The survey checks your inverter, fuse board and the space available, and your written quote explains which option suits your home.
Is finance available?
Interest-free credit is available, subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply. Your adviser can talk you through the options alongside your written quote, with no obligation to go ahead.
How do I get a quote?
Call 0141 230 0198 or fill in the quote form. An adviser arranges a survey of your home, then you receive a written, no-obligation quote. There is no deposit to request a quote and no pressure to proceed.
Who carries out the installation?
Installations are carried out by our MCS-certified installation partners. We provide the advice and arrange your survey and quote.
SOLAR
Solar panels
Is solar worth considering this far north?
Yes. Panels work on daylight rather than direct sunshine, and cool temperatures suit them well. Long summer days in the North East help balance out the darker winter months. Your quote explains what your particular roof is likely to produce.
Can panels go on a granite house with a slate roof?
Yes. Panels are fixed to the roof structure, not the stone walls, so granite is not a barrier. Slate needs careful handling, and the survey confirms the right fixing method for your roof before anything is agreed.
What happens on cloudy days?
Panels still produce electricity under cloud, just less than on a bright day. Adding a battery lets you store surplus from brighter spells and use it later, so you rely less on the grid in the evening.
STORAGE
Batteries
Do I need solar panels to have a battery?
Not necessarily. A battery can charge from the grid at cheaper times on a suitable tariff, though most people pair one with solar panels. Your adviser will explain which approach suits how you use electricity.
Where does the battery go?
Usually in a garage, utility room, loft or on an outside wall, depending on the model. The survey checks the space, ventilation and the cable route back to your fuse board.

Every roof is different
Chimneys, dormers and neighbouring buildings all affect a design. That is why every quote follows a survey of your home.
HEATING
Heat pumps
Will a heat pump work in an older Aberdeen home?
Often, yes. What matters most is insulation, radiator sizes and how heat is lost. The survey looks at all of these, and your quote sets out any changes needed for the system to heat your home properly.
Can a heat pump replace my oil or LPG boiler?
Yes. Many rural Aberdeenshire homes without mains gas move from oil or LPG to an air source heat pump. Pairing it with solar panels lets you make some of the electricity it uses yourself.
Is VAT charged on the work?
Residential solar panels, batteries and heat pumps are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027 (HMRC, VAT Notice 708/6).
PERMISSIONS
Planning and the grid
Do I need planning permission?
Most domestic solar panels and many heat pumps fall under permitted development in Scotland. Listed buildings and conservation areas can be different, and your installer checks this during the survey and handles any paperwork.
Do I need to contact SSEN myself?
No. Aberdeen is on the SSEN North network, and your installer handles the grid notification for you. Larger systems sometimes need approval before connection, and your quote will say if that applies.
What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
Contact us first and we will help. Installation work is covered by a workmanship guarantee, and products carry manufacturer warranties, with lengths confirmed in your quote. Our complaints page sets out every step.
KEEP READING
More detail on each topic
Still have a question? Ask an adviser
Tell us about your home and we will arrange a survey and a written, no-obligation quote.
No obligation · We install through MCS-certified partners · Scottish homes and businesses