Solar panels on a tiled residential roof during an installation by Manchester installer Renegade Solar

9.96/10 from 164 verified reviews

Solar Panel Installer in Bolton

MCS-certified solar panel and battery storage installation across North Manchester, designed and fitted by a qualified electrician rather than a salesperson.

Renegade Solar provides expert solar panel and battery installations throughout Bolton. As an MCS-certified installer based in North Manchester, we bring our expertise directly to Bolton homeowners and businesses looking to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints.

We've successfully installed solar systems on a wide variety of Bolton properties - from traditional terraced houses to larger detached homes and commercial buildings. Every installation is personally overseen by Ashley Merritt, a fully qualified electrician with over 20 years of experience who understands the unique characteristics of Bolton's diverse housing stock.

Solar Performance in Bolton

Many Bolton residents ask us if solar panels are effective in Greater Manchester's changeable weather. The answer is yes. Panels generate from daylight rather than direct sunshine, so they keep producing on overcast days, though output is lower than in bright conditions. Your generation projection accounts for local weather, roof orientation and shading.

Bolton's position well connected to the motorway network makes us ideally placed to serve the area efficiently, and we've completed numerous installations across the borough.

Property Types in Bolton

Bolton is the UK's largest town with around 280,000 residents, and its housing reflects its rich industrial heritage. Terraced and semi-detached properties make up 70% of Bolton's housing stock - a legacy of the town's mill worker cottages from when over 200 cotton mills operated here.

We frequently work with Bolton's characteristic terraced properties in areas like Farnworth (average property price £168k), Great Lever, and Deane, where careful system design maximises generation within available roof space. For larger homes in Bolton's premium postcodes like Belmont, Bromley Cross, and Egerton (average £282k), we can design more substantial systems.

Bolton's industrial heritage means the town has excellent commercial opportunities. With substantial warehouses and manufacturing facilities across the borough, plus a growing logistics sector, Bolton's business community can benefit enormously from commercial solar installations with their generous roof space and high daytime energy consumption.

For properties where conventional solar installation isn't suitable (due to shading, orientation, or planning restrictions), we offer battery-only solutions that work brilliantly with time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Energy's.

Local Knowledge & Personal Service

What sets us apart from national installers is our personal approach. Ashley personally oversees every aspect of your installation - from initial survey through design and installation to final commissioning. He's your direct point of contact throughout, not a salesperson or a call centre.

Our local knowledge means we understand Bolton's planning requirements and have experience with the specific property types across the borough. We can typically complete most installations within a week with minimal disruption.

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - check out our customer reviews where we maintain an exceptional 9.96/10 rating on Checkatrade. Our customers consistently praise our honesty, professionalism, and the quality of our workmanship.

As one recent customer noted: "Really professional job would highly recommend" - just one of many glowing testimonials from satisfied customers across Greater Manchester.

Ready to Go Solar in Bolton?

As MCS-certified installers (certification number NAP-66870), we ensure your installation qualifies for Smart Export Guarantee payments. We're also proud to be accredited by NAPIT, HIES Consumer Code, and are an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your Bolton property's solar potential. We'll respond within 48 hours to arrange a convenient time to visit.

Ashley Merritt on site alongside a ground-mounted solar array
Who you get

You'll be dealing with Ashley

Renegade Solar is run by Ashley Merritt, an electrician with over 20 years on the tools and more than 10 of those on commercial projects. He does the survey himself, designs the system, oversees the install and picks up the phone afterwards.

That matters more than it sounds. When a salesperson specs a job you get whatever fits the sales sheet. We have been called out to batteries fitted in lofts, which goes against NAPIT guidance, and to quotes worked out from Google Earth that missed the flat roof that made the most sense for the house.

About Renegade Solar

Why us

A small Manchester outfit, not a sales operation

Renegade Solar is run by Ashley Merritt, a qualified electrician. Here is what that changes.

You deal with Ashley

Ashley Merritt runs Renegade Solar, does the survey himself and designs the system. There is no call centre and nobody works on commission.

An electrician designs it

Over 20 years on the tools, including more than 10 years on commercial work. The roof, the wiring, the consumer unit and the battery sizing are all one job, not four.

Our own team fits it

The installation is carried out by the in-house Renegade Solar team. Specialist scaffolding is the only part we subcontract.

Awkward roofs welcome

Flat roofs, rooflights, dormers, chimneys, parapets, mixed roof sections and ground-mounted arrays. We design around what is actually up there.

How it works

What happens after you get in touch

The same order every time, and the same person through all of it.

  1. Free survey

    A qualified electrician comes out and looks at the actual roof, the consumer unit, the cable route and how you use electricity. Not a salesperson with a script.

    No charge, no obligation
  2. System design

    Panel layout, inverter and battery sizing, 3D modelling and generation projections worked out for your property and your tariff rather than a Google Earth guess.

  3. Written proposal

    The equipment, the layout and the numbers in writing, with the payback calculation and the assumptions behind it so you can check the working.

  4. Installation

    Fitted by the in-house team. A standard domestic install is commonly one to two days, subject to scaffolding, roof condition, consumer unit work and weather.

    Commonly 1 to 2 days
  5. Commissioning and certification

    Tested and certified to the applicable BS 7671 requirements, with MCS-certified equipment and installation so the system is eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee.

  6. Handover and aftercare

    We show you the monitoring, explain how to get the most out of the system, and cover two years of routine maintenance afterwards.

    Two years routine maintenance
“I just had solar and batteries installed, they were very helpful with the system design to maximise the panels on my roof and they were able to start quite soon. They worked quickly and it was completed to a high standard. Much cheaper than Octopus while providing more options.”
10/10 · August 2026 · one of 164 verified reviews from Google

Certified, registered and independently checked

Recent work

Jobs we have actually done

Real roofs in Greater Manchester, photographed on the day. Scroll sideways for more.

See the full gallery

Customer Reviews

We're proud of our 164 reviews with an average rating of 9.96/10

  • 10 Aug 2026

    I just had solar and batteries installed, they were very helpful with the system design to maximise the panels on my ...

    I just had solar and batteries installed, they were very helpful with the system design to maximise the panels on my roof and they were able to start quite soon. They worked quickly and it was completed to a high standard. Much cheaper than Octopus while providing more options.

    via Google

  • 10 Jul 2026

    How thoughts on renegade solar

    How thoughts on renegade solar. We have been very pleased with Ashley and the team. Efficient and well fitted quality product. Great communication and support. We also have had a flat roof and the results are fabulous. Highly recommended.

    via Trustpilot

  • 10 Jun 2026

    If you want a small company you can trust to give good advice and do a quality job look no further

    If you want a small company you can trust to give good advice and do a quality job look no further. We were recommended by a friend and were not disappointed with this small but efficient company. They gave good advice carried out superb work and charged a reasonable price.Our daughter was so impressed they are having the same system installed.

    via Trustpilot

  • 10 Jun 2026

    Brilliant bespoke service at very fair price

    Brilliant bespoke service at very fair price. I contacted several solar fitters, wanting panels put on a flat garage roof rather than the pitched main roof. None were interested. Ashley was happy to look at the best solution and design at a price way less than a pitched roof fitting (no scaffolding needed). And he is an absolute pleasure to deal with. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone.

    via Trustpilot

  • 10 May 2026

    An excellent solar installation

    An excellent solar installation. Ashley and his team were professional, on time and provided an excellent service. I couldn’t fault them.

    via Trustpilot

  • 10 Apr 2026

    My go-to guy for everything solar and electric

    My go-to guy for everything solar and electric. Over the last few years Ashley has massive upgraded the electrical setup in our house, with solar panels, two batteries, a car charger, new fuse board, new outdoor sockets, security lights, extractor fan.. I’m sure there’s more. Every job is tackled professionally and with a full and honest explanation of the work involved. On top of all of that, he’s a lovely dude who is a joy to be around. I can’t fault Ashley or any of the wonderful team at Renegade!

    via Trustpilot

  • 10 Mar 2026

    Fitted 3 batteries and Invertor very professional and friendly

    From the start he was extremely friendly, knew what he was talking about and we agreed a price, he came did the job it took longer than he expected but he didn't complain he took his time to finish the job and came back next day to help set it up, I was thoroughly impressed

    M45

  • 10 Mar 2026

    Ashley and his team installed solar panels, battery and inverter in our house

    Ashley and his team installed solar panels, battery and inverter in our house. Everything went well. They were polite, knowledgeable and good at communicating with me. The project was completed in the agreed time and everything is working well. I would happily recommend them.

    via Google

  • 10 Mar 2026

    New solar & battery unit

    Ashley and his team fitted a solar & battery unit to my house. They were all great. Polite, knowledgeable and efficient. All the work was completed in the agreed timescale. I would definitely recommend them.

    BL0

Common questions

The questions we get asked most

Do solar panels actually work in Manchester?

Yes. Panels generate from daylight rather than direct sunshine, so they keep producing on the grey days we get plenty of, and they often run more efficiently in cooler temperatures than in a heatwave. The annual generation projection we give you already accounts for local weather, your roof orientation and any shading.

How long does an installation take?

A standard residential solar panel installation is commonly completed in one to two days. That can stretch if scaffolding is complicated, the roof needs repair first, the consumer unit needs upgrading, the DNO has requirements, or the weather turns.

Do I need planning permission?

Many domestic solar installations are permitted development. Listed buildings, conservation areas, some flat roofs, ground-mounted arrays and unusual positions can need extra checks or consent. We will tell you where your property sits before you commit to anything.

Can I have a battery without solar panels?

Yes. Standalone home battery installations make sense where the roof is shaded, unsuitable, not yours to alter, or you would rather not have panels on it. On a time-of-use tariff the battery charges at the cheaper off-peak rate and runs the house through the expensive periods.

Will a battery keep my house running in a power cut?

Only if the system is specifically designed for it. Backup needs the right equipment and an essential-circuits design agreed up front, so it is something to raise at survey stage rather than assume. Not every battery installation gives you backup.

Who actually turns up to do the work?

Ashley and the in-house Renegade Solar team. Specialist scaffolding is the only part of the installation we subcontract. The person who surveyed your property is the person overseeing the install and the person you ring afterwards.

My roof is a strange shape. Is that a problem?

Usually not. We have fitted arrays around rooflights, chimneys, dormers and roof lanterns, split installations across several flat roof sections, and put arrays on the ground where the roof was not the right answer. It is worth a survey before you write your property off.

Ask us something else

Where we work

Areas we cover

Based in Prestwich, working across North Manchester and the wider Greater Manchester area.

Get a free survey from an actual electrician

Tell us about the property and we'll come out, look at the roof properly and put some real numbers in front of you. No commission, no call centre.

Tell us about the property

Send a message and we'll come back to you within 24 hours, one way or the other. If it's easier, ring Ashley directly.

  • A qualified electrician does the survey, not a salesperson
  • Free survey and a written proposal with the numbers behind it
  • We reply within 24 hours, one way or the other
  • No commission, no pressure, no call centre

9.96/10 from 164 verified reviews · MCS NAP-66870 · all our accreditations

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