Solar panels come in two distinct versions: Solar thermal panels for making hot water and solar photovoltaic panels for making clean electricity.

Solarcentury specialises in solar photovoltaics and offer a wide range of products from the world's most trusted manufacturers. As an entirely independent solar energy company we can offer a choice of photovoltaic panels within short lead times and at competitive prices.

Solarcentury keeps a well stocked warehouse in Surrey and supplies solar panels to MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) registered installers throughout the UK. Home owners can apply for a quote to have solar panels installed using our ‘online calculator’, which provides an instant estimate and will put you in touch with your local solar panel installer, who will contact you to provide a final quotation.

As well as providing our own Solarcentury branded solar panel, and a huge selection of solar panels from LDK, Sanyo and Yingli, Solarcentury have developed a solar tile and solar slate for new build and re-roofing projects.

For existing homes, solar panels are normally installed above the existing roof, on a metal framing system. A basic survey by an installer will determine the best method of installation for your particular circumstances, although solar panels make most energy if they are angled to the south at thirty to forty degrees from the horizontal.

Solar panels can also be installed on flat roofs, or on free standing structures and should be positioned where they will not be shaded at any time of the day in order to generate the most electricity. The more southerly the location of the panels the more energy they will generate.

Solar panels are rated in ‘watt peak’ (Wp) or ‘kilowatt peak’ (kWp), for example the Solarcentury solar panel is called an SC-M185 and produces 185 watts in peak power conditions. Solar panels contain a series of solar cells which are wired together to form the panels, which produce DC (Direct Current) electricity. To convert the power for use in the home the electricity is usually converted to AC (Alternating Current) by an inverter, which is an integral part of most grid-based solar panel systems.

Our Solar Panel Installers

Solarcentury is one of the UK's leading suppliers to MCS accredited PV installers.

Established in 1999, Solarcentury has evolved from a solar installation company to a business that project manages PV installations, manufacturers our own products and offers a distribution service to the growing number of MCS accredited installers in our Installer Network.

High quality photovoltaics at competitive prices:

Having grown from an installation business ourselves we understand the importance of a reliable supply chain and the need for quality products that are both cost effective and easy to procure and install. The price of photovoltaics is changing each week and Solarcentury hold regular pricing meetings to make sure we are offering the best possible prices to our installers. As a company we have long standing relationships with most of the leading solar panel manufacturers and have ongoing orders for buy large quantities of solar PV in order to keep costs as low as possible. Please call us to discuss the latest pricing options.

The Solarcentury Installer Network:

Solarcentury has established an Installers Network to service the growing number of MCS accredited PV installers. We only supply MCS accredited products. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme provides consumers a guarantee that installers have conformed to a rigorous set of standards. To qualify for the Feed-in Tariff, both the microgeneration product and the installer must carry the MCS mark. Find out more about joing the Installer Network.

Photovoltaic roof tiles:

As well as acting as the largest distributor of LDK, Sanyo and Yingli Modules and now manufacture our own Solarcentury PV module and solar tile range. C21e solar tiles and slates fit directly into the roof, replacing conventional roof tiles or slates so that the appearance of the roof line is not altered. Installation is as simple as re-roofing with conventional tiles or slates. Solarcentury's C21e solar tiles and slates are recognised as two of the industry's leading solar products and has won a host of industry awards.

In addition to module supply we offer pre-designed in roof, on roof and fully Integrated solar PV systems which can be delivered direct to your installation within 72 hours of receipt of an order.

If you are MCS accredited you can call our Installers team:

• South West Regional Account Manager, Erica Westmore 07771717465
• Midlands & North Regional Account Manger, Carl Cook 02078030164
• Southern East Regional Account Manager, Tom Waller 0207 8030100
• Or email installers@solarcentury.com, or follow the links on the left to find out more about our products.

Solarcentury is the UK's largest, independent solar company and a trusted supplier to government, industry, schools and thousands of homeowners.

Founded in 1998 by energy industry expert Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury has been associated with many of the UK's highest profile solar power projects, including work with the Eden Project, the Environment Agency, the National Trust Headquarters, the CIS Tower and the Big Brother House.

Employing over 100 people with diverse expertise, our work spans the entire solar process, from designing and manufacturing right through to advising, specifying and installation.

The team is made up of designers, engineers, project managers, consultants, logistics and support staff. We come from a broad range of backgrounds including the oil and power industries, environmental groups, construction, the armed forces, government, development and aid/environmental charities, the IT industry, and investment banking. Visit our Company Profile page for more information on our directors.

Despite this huge diversity we are united in our belief that solar energy is a key solution to alleviate the growing energy crisis, and is vital for sustainability and combating global warming. 

We continually strive to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. We have solar electric and solar thermal panels installed on our offices in Waterloo and have annual targets to reduce our environmental impact as part of our EMAS and ISO14001 accreditations. Solarcentury is in business for a purpose: to make a big difference in the fight against climate change. We envisage solar systems on the roof of every building, backed up by other micro renewables, supplying clean power and achieving deep cuts in carbon emissions.

Solarcentury operates according to ten working principles on which the company was founded. We have also won a range of awards for both our company and our solar tile product.

We produce an annual Environmental Statement covering all of our activities in the UK. If you would like more information on solar energy from the UK’s leading solar energy company please see the FAQ and get in touch  if you can not find the answer you are looking for.

Solarcentury offers a range of different MCS accredited solar photovoltaic products and technologies suitable for residential, commercial and public buildings as well as solar parks projects, with solar products from the world’s leading brands. As an entirely independent solar energy company we can offer a choice of photovoltaic solar modules and inverters for your project while offering short lead times and competitive prices.

C21e Solar Tiles and Slates

Solarcentury has developed the C21e range of solar electric tiles and solar electric slates which are fully integrated photovoltaic roofing products, designed for new buildings and re-roofing projects. They are simple to install, attached straight to the batten like conventional roof tiles, with an unobtrusive finish suitable for conservation areas. C21e has won a host of industry awards.

Sunstation

The Sunstation system is a complete system of solar photovoltaic panels mounted onto your roof. It can be installed as a retrofit solution and onto new buildings. Sunstation is compatible with all common tile types, with a choice of solar modules so you can achieve your desired power output at a range of prices. With roof integrated and on roof options you can always get your ideal solution.

EnergyRoof

Solarcentury’s EnergyRoof system is a 'wall to wall, ridge to eave' full solar roof solution for agricultural buildings, light industrial buildings and car park canopies. It is one of the most versatile photovoltaic roofing systems available.

The EnergyRoof system has been independently tested to the most demanding European standards to guarantee its suitability as a weather-tight roof with your choice of solar module.

Solar Generators

There are a range of methods for mounting solar modules on to the roofs of buildings so they can generate energy. These systems have been designed by Solarcentury and allow you to fix solar photovoltaic modules onto a variety of different roof types and scales. The Solar Generators are specifically for commercial scale buildings and are one of the most economic and adaptable PV mounting systems available.

Solar Architecture

Solarcentury works with Architects on bespoke projects, is a RIBA accredited PV CPD provider. Integrating solar into buildings creates visually unique creations. Facades and louvres are examples of the type of products that we work with.

Solar Modules

Solarcentury provides a wide variety of photovoltaic solar modules from a selection of the world's most trusted solar panel manufacturers, including Sanyo, Yingli and Solarcentury’s own.

The Solarcentury solar module has high efficiency, quality monocrystalline cells delivering a module efficiency of 14.7%. It is an attractive all black module with an anodized frame, black monocrystalline cells and black backing. It has been designed and certified to support loads up to 5400Pa, double the minimum IEC standard. The panels are tested to IEC 61215 and 61730, CE, Class C rated and manufactured under IS0 9001. The panels have a 5 year product guarantee, 10 year performance guarantee at 90% power output, and 25 year performance guarantee at 80% power output. These modules combine high efficiency and power output with an attractive design.

Models offered:

185 Watt: SC-M185-H18

The Sanyo Hybrid HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) solar module cells are made of a thin monocrystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. The modules have been manufactured to UL 1703 safety standards and resist wind, fire, and hail. Anti-reflective coatings maximize sunlight absorption. With a minimum module efficiency of up to 18%, these products provide the industry's leading performance and value using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. The panels are UL 1703, cUL, and CEC listed. They have a 25 year power output warranty of 80% and a 10 year product warranty.

Models offered:

250 Watt: Sanyo HIT-250-H250E01

235 Watt: Sanyo HIT-235-N235SE10

Yingli's modules are mechanically robust and good value per watt. They have high efficiency of up to 15%, maximising the kWh output. With a 25 year power warranty of 80%, these modules have good durability, crystalline cells and tempered glass. They have been tested to ensure conformance to regulatory standards, and manufacturing facilities are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Modules offered:

250 Watt polycrystalline: Yingli 250 YL250 C-30B

235 Watt Polycrystalline: Yingli 235 YL235 P-29b

Inverters

Solarcentury provides the highest quality solar inverters from the best solar inverter manufacturers in the world. As an independent solar energy company, Solarcentury selects the best inverters, suitable for a wide range of applications, including SolarMax, SMA, Fronius and Mastervolt.