What Is Covered and What Cash Buyers Must Arrange Themselves
A no upfront solar subscription includes comprehensive insurance covering panels, battery, inverter, and wiring against fire, storm, theft, and accidental damage for 25 years.
A no upfront solar subscription includes comprehensive system insurance for the full 25-year plan term. The insurance covers the solar panels, battery, inverter, and all associated wiring and mounting hardware against fire, storm damage, theft, vandalism, and accidental damage. A homeowner who buys solar outright must arrange equivalent cover independently — either through their existing buildings insurance or a specialist solar policy — at an estimated cost of £50–£150 per year, totalling £1,250–£3,750 over 25 years.
This page explains exactly what the subscription insurance covers, what it does not cover, and the 5 actions a cash buyer must take to replicate the same protection.
The insurance component of the subscription protects the entire solar system as a single policy. There is no need to arrange separate cover for individual components. The following risks are covered for the full 25-year term.
Electrical fire originating from the inverter, battery, or wiring is covered. Fire spreading to or from the solar system — whether caused by an external source or an internal fault — is covered. The cost of removing and reinstalling panels during fire damage repair to the roof is covered.
Damage from high winds, hail, lightning strikes, heavy snow loads, and flooding is covered. This includes panels dislodged by wind, mounting brackets loosened by sustained storm exposure, and water ingress at roof penetration points caused by weather events. The UK experiences an average of 30 storm days per year, and exposed rooftop equipment is particularly vulnerable to wind-driven debris.
Theft of solar panels, batteries, or inverters is covered. Vandalism to any system component — including deliberate damage to panels, wiring, or mounting hardware — is covered. While rooftop panel theft is uncommon, ground-floor battery and inverter units are more accessible and therefore at greater risk.
Damage caused accidentally during gutter cleaning, window washing, aerial installation, or other property maintenance activities is covered. Accidental damage from falling branches, dislodged roof tiles, or building works on adjacent properties is also included. Under most standard home insurance policies, accidental damage to solar panels requires a separate add-on at extra cost. The subscription includes it by default.
The insurance covers every component installed as part of the subscription: solar panels, the battery storage unit, the hybrid inverter, all DC and AC wiring, mounting rails, roof hooks, isolation switches, and the monitoring communication module. There is no single-item exclusion or sub-limit for individual components.
Three categories of damage fall outside the subscription insurance.
Intentional damage to the system by the property owner or occupant is not covered. This exclusion is standard across all insurance policies and reflects the universal principle that no policy covers self-inflicted loss.
Fading, discolouration, or surface weathering that does not affect system performance is not covered. Solar panels are designed to withstand UV exposure for 25+ years, and cosmetic changes do not reduce electricity output.
If the roof structure was already damaged or defective prior to installation, and this defect later causes the solar system to fail, the insurance does not cover the resulting loss. The pre-installation property survey is specifically designed to identify structural issues before installation proceeds, preventing this scenario from arising.
Most home insurance policies cover solar panels as part of the building's structure. However, there are 6 important differences between relying on home insurance and the insurance included in a no upfront solar subscription.
| Factor | Home Insurance (Cash Buyer) | Subscription Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Excess per claim | £100–£500 depending on policy | £0 — no excess |
| Accidental damage | Usually requires paid add-on | Included as standard |
| Battery cover | May require separate declaration (contents or buildings depending on location) | Included automatically |
| Rebuild value update | Homeowner must inform insurer and increase sum insured by £8,000–£14,000 | Not required — provider manages |
| Lost generation cover | Not included in standard policies | Covered through maintenance response |
| Inverter and wiring | May fall outside buildings definition if not roof-mounted | All components covered regardless of location |
When a cash buyer installs solar panels, they must notify their home insurer and increase the property's rebuild value to reflect the cost of the solar system. A £250,000 rebuild value must increase to £258,000–£264,000. If the homeowner fails to update the rebuild value, their buildings insurance may not cover the full cost of replacing the solar system after a claim. Underinsurance can also reduce payouts on unrelated claims through the principle of average.
Under a no upfront solar subscription, the homeowner does not own the equipment during the plan term. The subscription provider insures the system directly, eliminating the need for the homeowner to adjust their buildings insurance, calculate additional rebuild costs, or risk underinsurance.
Standard home insurance policies carry an excess of £100–£500 per claim. If storm damage dislodges a panel and requires a £600 repair, the homeowner pays the excess and claims the remainder. For smaller repairs — a cracked isolation switch at £80, a damaged wiring connector at £120 — the cost falls below the excess threshold and the homeowner pays in full.
Under the subscription, there is no excess on any claim. Every covered event is resolved at no cost to the homeowner, regardless of the repair value.
A homeowner who buys solar panels outright must complete 5 steps to achieve equivalent insurance protection.
Contact your buildings insurance provider before the installation date. Confirm that solar panels, battery storage, and inverter are covered under your policy. If any component is excluded, you will need to switch insurer or take out a specialist solar policy. Failing to notify your insurer could invalidate your entire buildings policy, not just the solar-related cover.
Calculate the installed cost of your solar system — typically £8,000–£14,000 for a system with battery storage — and add it to your current rebuild value. Provide the updated figure to your insurer. This will likely increase your annual premium by £20–£60 depending on the system value and your insurer's pricing.
If your battery is installed inside the property (e.g., in a garage or utility room), it may fall under contents insurance rather than buildings insurance. If it is installed externally, it should be covered under buildings insurance. Confirm with your insurer which policy applies and ensure the battery is explicitly included.
Standard buildings insurance typically excludes accidental damage unless it is added as a paid extra. Accidental damage cover costs £20–£50 per year on top of the base premium. Without it, a panel damaged during gutter cleaning or by a falling branch during calm weather would not be covered.
Home insurance policies renew annually. Check each renewal to confirm that your solar system is still covered, the rebuild value is still accurate, and no policy changes have excluded solar equipment. After any claim involving the solar system, verify that the payout reflects the full replacement cost including installation labour and scaffolding — not just the component value.
| Insurance Element | Annual Cost | 25-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings premium increase (rebuild value uplift) | £20–£60 | £500–£1,500 |
| Accidental damage add-on | £20–£50 | £500–£1,250 |
| Potential specialist solar policy (if home insurer excludes) | £50–£100 | £1,250–£2,500 |
| Total estimated insurance cost | £50–£150/year | £1,250–£3,750 |
Under a no upfront solar subscription, this entire cost is included in the monthly payment. The homeowner does not arrange, renew, or pay for solar insurance separately at any point during the 25-year term.
When a homeowner with a no upfront solar subscription sells their property, the subscription — including the insurance component — transfers to the new owner as part of the conveyancing process. The new owner receives the same insurance protection for the remainder of the plan term without arranging or paying for any additional cover.
A cash buyer selling a property with solar panels must ensure the buyer's home insurance covers the system from the completion date. If the buyer's insurer excludes solar panels or requires a specialist policy, this can delay the sale or require the seller to provide additional documentation about the system's specifications, age, and warranty status.
A no upfront solar subscription places a restriction on the property title to ensure the provider is notified if the property is sold. This restriction does not grant the provider any rights over the property and does not affect the homeowner's ability to sell. The restriction is removed automatically when the plan ends and all payments are up to date.
The insurance component of the subscription remains active regardless of the title restriction. If the property is damaged by an insured event, the system is repaired or replaced under the subscription insurance — the homeowner does not need to claim through their own buildings policy or navigate the title restriction to access cover.
Industry data suggests that a significant proportion of UK homeowners with solar panels have not informed their home insurer about the installation. Failing to declare solar panels does not automatically void a home insurance policy, but it can lead to reduced payouts if the insurer determines the rebuild value was understated. In the worst case, a claim for storm or fire damage involving the solar system could be declined entirely.
The subscription model eliminates this risk by removing the homeowner from the insurance administration entirely. The provider insures the system, manages all claims, and ensures cover remains active and adequate for the full 25-year term.
Homeowners in England and Wales who own their property can check eligibility for a no upfront solar subscription that includes full insurance, maintenance, and component replacement from £69 per month.