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Solar installer invoice template

A worked example for solar installers in the construction and building trades category, with 2026 prices and the VAT rules that apply.

A solar installer invoice should show a unique invoice number, your name and address, the client's details, the date, each item of work with its price, and the total due. Solar installers typically allow 7 days to pay and take a 25% deposit. Most of this work is VAT exempt or zero rated, so no VAT is added.

Example solar installer invoice

Dated 1 October 2026 with 7 day terms and a 25% deposit already received. Names and prices are fictional.

Invoice

INV-0042

Example

From

H. Murphy

Solar installer

12 Mill Lane

Reading

RG1 4XY

Bill to

Mrs J. Okonkwo

14 Elm Road

Reading

RG2 8QT

Invoice date
1 October 2026
Due date
8 October 2026
Terms
7 days
Reference
Solar installer work, October 2026
DescriptionQtyUnit priceVATAmount
Supply and install 10 x 430 W panels, in-roof mounting, 4.3 kWp1 system£6,400.000%£6,400.00
Hybrid inverter 5 kW and 9.5 kWh battery, supplied and installed1 system£4,900.000%£4,900.00
Scaffold to rear roof, 1 week1 item£620.000%£620.00
MCS certificate, DNO notification and bird proofing1 fixed£380.000%£380.00
Subtotal
£12,300.00
VAT at 0%
£0.00
Total
£12,300.00
Less deposit received (25%)
-£3,075.00
Balance due
£9,225.00
Fictional names and prices for illustration. Payment by bank transfer to the account shown on your real invoice. Due within 7 days of the invoice date.
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Typical rates for solar installers

Guide figures for 2026. Rates vary by region and experience; the VAT figures come from the 2026-27 tax year data.

ItemTypical figure
Typical hourly rate£40 to £70
Typical day rate£300 to £480
Payment terms7 days
Deposit25% up front
VAT flat rate sectorGeneral building or construction services (9.5%)
VAT registration threshold£90,000 taxable turnover in 12 months

How do solar installers usually invoice?

Solar installers invoice a package price for the system with a deposit of around 25% on survey sign-off, a second payment on delivery of the panels and the balance on commissioning. The whole installation, including scaffold when it is part of the install, is zero rated for VAT in a home until March 2027, which is a selling point worth stating on the invoice. MCS and DNO paperwork are listed so the customer can see what the Smart Export Guarantee application needs.

Solar installers in this example give the customer 7 days to pay, after a 25% deposit taken before the work starts. Hourly rates run from £40 to £70. A full day is typically £300 to £480.

What should a solar installer put on an invoice?

Beyond the legal basics, solar installers should:

  • State the system size in kWp, the panel count and the battery capacity on the invoice.
  • Show the zero rate explicitly as 0% VAT with a note citing the energy-saving materials relief.
  • Include the MCS certificate number; the customer needs it for export payments.
  • Separate the battery from the panels; some customers add storage later.

Every UK invoice, whatever the trade, must also show:

  • a unique, sequential invoice number
  • your business name and address (and company number if you trade as a limited company)
  • the client’s name and address
  • the invoice date and, for VAT invoices, the date of supply if different
  • a clear description of each item of work or goods
  • the amount due and when it must be paid
  • your VAT number, the VAT rate per line and the VAT total, if you are VAT registered

Do solar installers charge VAT?

Supplying and installing solar panels, batteries and associated inverters in a residential property is zero rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, after which the rate is due to return to 5%. Panels supplied without installation, or installed on commercial premises, are standard rated. Installation for a contractor is a construction operation under CIS. Below the £90,000 threshold you charge no VAT.

Because this income is exempt or zero rated, the Flat Rate Scheme is rarely useful: exempt sales count in flat rate turnover but earn no VAT, and zero rated sales mean you would pay flat rate VAT on income that carries none. The sector listed above (General building or construction services, 9.5%) applies only if you register for other taxable income.

Source: GOV.UK: Invoicing and taking payment from customers; GOV.UK: VAT Flat Rate Scheme, how much you pay. Last updated .

Frequently asked questions

Is solar panel installation VAT free?
In a residential property, yes: the supply and installation of solar panels, batteries and inverters is zero rated until 31 March 2027. Your invoice shows VAT at 0% on those lines. Commercial installs and panels sold without fitting are standard rated at 20%.
Should a solar installer take a deposit?
Yes, 10% to 25% on contract, with a further payment when equipment is delivered to site and the balance on commissioning. Consumer protection schemes such as HIES or RECC set limits on deposits and require deposit protection, so check your scheme rules and mention the protection on the invoice.
Does CIS apply to solar installation?
Installing solar panels as part of a building's systems is a construction operation, so if a builder or developer pays you they deduct 20% from the labour element. Householders paying you directly do not operate CIS. Keep equipment on separate lines from labour on contractor invoices.

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Cite this page: “Solar installer invoice template (free UK example)”, SoleKit, https://solekit.co.uk/invoice-template/solar-installer