What we do

Services we offer

Solar, batteries, EV chargers and the electrical work that goes with them, all from the same team.

Solar Panel and Battery Installations in Manchester

Save money on your bills and cut CO2 with a solar and battery combo.

Commercial Solar Installations

Slash business electricity costs with commercial solar

EV Charger Installation, Repair and Relocation

Electric vehicle chargers for homes and businesses

EICR & Electrical Safety Inspections

Just £150 plus VAT with same-day certificates and no hard sells.

Home Battery Installations

Store cheap electricity and slash your energy bills year-round.

Electrical Testing in Manchester

Testing, inspecting, and commissioning from an electrician with 20+ years experience.

Solar Panel Installer in Cheetham Hill

Looking for a solar panel installer in Cheetham Hill? We're Renegade Solar, led by Ashley, based just down the road in Prestwich. With a 9.96/10 Checkatrade rating and MCS certification (NAP-66870), we provide honest advice and quality installations that'll actually save you money.

Why Cheetham Hill Residents Choose Renegade Solar

One Prestwich customer saved thousands when we gave them a second opinion: "Another electrician convinced us we needed a whole house rewire. After inspecting, Ashley let us know it was fully unnecessary and we just needed a new fuse board. He saved us thousands of pounds with that first visit."

That's the difference with Renegade Solar - we won't sell you something you don't need. With over 20 years' experience as an electrician, we'll give you straight advice about whether solar's right for your property.

Cheetham Hill property types

Cheetham Hill has a high proportion of Victorian terraces, many of them with decent south-facing roof slopes. These properties often have slate roofs that are solid enough for panels, though we sometimes need to work around chimney stacks. East-west orientations are common too, and a split array across both slopes can generate as much as a south-only setup - just spread more evenly across the day rather than peaking at midday.

Terraces without off-street parking or with limited roof access aren't automatically ruled out. If the roof won't work for solar - because of orientation, shading or structural issues - a battery-only system on a time-of-use tariff like Octopus Go can still cut bills substantially. The battery charges overnight at cheap rates and runs the house through the day.

The newer builds and converted flats around Cheetham Hill have their own considerations. Some of these properties have modern consumer units that are ready for solar without any upgrades. Others have electrical systems that need bringing up to standard first, which we'll flag during the survey.

What Makes Renegade Solar Different

When you enquire with us, a qualified electrician surveys your property and designs your system - not a salesperson. This means you get honest, technically informed advice from someone who understands the work involved.

We're NAPIT-registered (66870) for electrical safety, an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner, and a member of Green Economy's curated network of sustainable businesses. Ashley oversees everything from survey to commissioning, including all the paperwork for grid connection and Smart Export Guarantee applications. Being based in Prestwich, we're just minutes away from Cheetham Hill – and there's no travel charges added to your quote.

Battery Storage Maximises Your Savings

Adding battery storage means you'll use solar power in the evening when everyone's home. You can also store cheap overnight electricity if you're on a time-of-use tariff. It's perfect for Cheetham Hill's family households who want to properly cut their energy bills.

Ready to Cut Your Energy Bills?

With energy prices staying high, solar panels with battery storage offer real savings for Cheetham Hill residents. We'll give you honest advice about what'll work for your property – no pressure, no overselling.

Get a straightforward quote from a local installer you can trust. Contact us today to discuss solar for your Cheetham Hill property.

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.

About Ashley →

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.

See the gallery →

How it works

What happens after you get in touch

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

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
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.
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.
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
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.
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

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

View All Reviews View on Checkatrade Review Us on Google Review Us on Facebook Review Us on Trustpilot

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