Within this review, you’ll find a detailed analysis of Project Solar’s products, comparing its solar panels‘ performances, prices, and warranties with offerings from similar companies. We also look deeply at its customer reviews, enabling you to make the right decision for your solar installation.
Project Solar overview
Founded in 2011, Project Solar is based in the Midlands but carries out solar panel installations across the UK – 45,000 solar panels and batteries to date – and supplies products from solar panels and roof tiles to electric vehicle chargers. This equates to 3,750 projects and 12,500 tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually.
Project Solar was under the leadership of Gurmukh Singh Bahra until Simon Peat took over in 2012. In 2018, Andrew Walton-Green and Colin Wood joined as directors.
Since then, Project Solar has been under the umbrella of Project Better Energy – a company committed to delivering a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, substantially reducing energy bills.
Project Solar holds accreditations from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES), the Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS), and the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT).
The company has won numerous awards, including, in 2018, Derby Telegraph Business Awards Company of the Year and Growatt’s European/UK Inverter Installer of the Year, and is the exclusive installer of the Duracell Home Energy Bank.
Product-wise, Project Solar’s practice of discontinuing older models when it releases a new one means that, currently, the company has one flagship panel – the Evo Super Max 455. It’s also one of the few integrated solar roof tile manufacturers in the UK. However, Project Solar told our researchers that, at present, it’s not supplying these, even though they still feature on the website.
How much do Project Solar’s panels cost?
Without going through Project Solar’s free quote process, the company does not release its prices, and finding a price per panel is difficult. However, our research suggests the company’s Evo Super Max 455 panel is approximately £400, putting it firmly in the premium solar panels price range.
Project Solar’s reputation and Trustpilot score
Project Solar has a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 stars out of five based on more than 4,000 customer reviews. Reviews awarding four and five stars make up 75% of the total, while 13% of customers give one and two-star reviews.
Many customers mention Project Solar’s professionalism, clear communication, and good after-sales care. However, a common complaint seems to be that the installers don’t arrive on the allotted date, and some customers claim they haven’t received adequate after-sales care.
Project Solar has responded to most customer reviews on Trustpilot within 24 hours – both positive and negative, giving thanks or trying to rectify any issues.
“[We] Had a quote from one of the friendliest agents. He did an excellent job; he explained everything to us, answered all of our questions without hesitation. [We] signed the contract the same day with him. A week later I had my solar panels installed! One week from signing the contract to have it on my roof! Excellent service, excellent customer service and the engineer guys were absolutely professional and friendly. Highly recommend them!”
- Miklos Simon, via Trustpilot
“[They] never turned up to the first appointment, [and] didn’t even ring to say they couldn’t make it, then gave me the good old ‘problem with the computer system’ story. I gave them another chance and made another appointment and they did the same again. Didn’t turn up and no phone call.”
- Tony Field, via Trustpilot
“I am delighted with my solar panels from Project Solar. From the first appointment with rep Mike, who explained the whole process, to the installation (high winds delayed the installation twice but that’s the British weather for you) I cannot fault the professionalism of the staff. Mike also came back to help with the SEG process, as it’s a bit complicated. I have recommended this company to family and friends already. Oh, and the panels are very smart and barely noticeable.”
- Carol Cunningham, via Trustpilot
Project Solar’s best panel: Evo Super Max Series 455
Highlights
✓ Fully black design
✓ Manufactured using no fluorine and very low lead materials
✓ Easy to upgrade into a smart solar module solution
Essential features
- Power output: 455W
- Efficiency: 21.01%
- Warranty: A lifetime product warranty and 85% performance warranty, dropping to 80% after 30 years
- Cost per panel: POA
The Evo Super Max is the only panel that Project Solar currently supplies. It boasts 10% more power per square metre than standard panels and is equipped with Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) technology. This increases internal reflectivity, improving cell current and generating more energy.
Pricing
Project Solar specialises in solar panel installations and tailors each project for the individual property and the homeowner’s requirements. As such, the prices per panel are unavailable, although our research suggests the cost per panel is around £400, placing it above many of its competitors.
| Panel name | Efficiency | Power output | Approximate cost per panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evo Super Max Series 455 | 21.01% | 455W | POA |
| REC Alpha Pure-R | 21.70% | 420W | £262.80 |
| Longi Solar 500W Hi-Mo 5M | 21.50% | 500W | £145.20 |
| Trina Solar Vertex S | 21.30% | 425W | £117.60 |
| JA Solar GR MC4 | 21.50% | 550W | £156 |
Efficiency
Project Solar’s flagship panel delivers a power output of 455W and an efficiency of 21.01%. According to our research, while it offers a competitive power output, the Evo Super Max’s efficiency puts it at the lower end of similar 400W–500W panels.
Consider this panel if…
With a power output of 455W, the Evo Super Max is suitable for many homes. As any surplus energy can generate an income through the SEG scheme, even if the panel output is more than your family will use daily, the panels can still be a cost-effective choice.
Avoid this panel if…
If you live in a flat or have extremely limited roof space, the 1,905mm x 1,134mm x 35mm (LxWxH) panels may be too large for your available space.
Our score
| Efficiency | ★★★½ |
| Power output | ★★★★ |
| Value for money | ★★ |
| Overall | ★★★★ |
Project Solar FAQs
When looking at reviews, it’s sensible to check multiple review platforms, such as Google Reviews and Trustpilot, as a variety of sources can provide a more balanced view. It’s also important to consider how many reviews are on a particular site. A higher number of reviews can be a good reliability indicator, especially if they were recently added.
Check how the company responds to negative reviews. This can give you insight into their customer service and commitment to resolving issues. Project Solar responds promptly to both positive and negative reviews, suggesting a willingness to address customer issues.
Project Solar instals solar systems throughout the UK. It has a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 out of five stars, categorised as ‘excellent’, and its current model is the Evo Super Max. With an efficiency of 21.01% and a power output of 455W, the panel performs similarly to its competitors.
The Evo Super Max is only available through Project Solar; however, the prices per panel are unavailable without obtaining a free quote from the company. Installations are designed for each property and consider the roof orientation and angle, whether there’s any shading, the available space, and the homeowner’s needs; therefore, each quote is unique. Project Solar claims this is the reason why individual panel prices are unavailable.
Katharine brings over a decade of writing and research expertise, collaborating with some of the UK’s top organisations, such as the Independent, the Federation of Master Builders, Architectural Digest, and Cuvva Car Insurance. Her areas of specialisation include renewable energy, advanced technologies, and various aspects of home improvement, like kitchen renovations, combi boilers, and double glazed windows.
