Introducing Up Top Solar — Solar Panel Installation by Dorset's Award-Winning Roofers

We’ve got some exciting news. After years of delivering award-winning roofing and scaffolding services across Dorset, we’re officially launching Up Top Solar — our dedicated solar panel installation service, built on the same quality, trust, and craftsmanship you already know us for.

You can now find everything about our new service on our solar panel installation page.

Why Solar? And Why Now?

The truth is, we’ve been working alongside solar for a while already. Earlier this year, we completed an integrated solar panel system on a project in Dorchester — reclaimed Welsh slates with solar panels built right into the roofline. It’s something our Instagram followers will have already seen.

But the demand kept growing. Customers started asking us directly: “Can you do our solar panels too?” And honestly, it made perfect sense. We’re already on the roof. We already own the scaffolding. We already understand the structure, the flashing, the weatherproofing. So why would you get someone else up there?

Combine that with the current financial incentives — 0% VAT on residential solar installations until March 2027, the Smart Export Guarantee letting you earn money from surplus energy, and Dorset Council funding available for eligible households — and the timing couldn’t be better.

Power from the Top Down — What Makes Up Top Solar Different

Here’s the thing most people don’t think about when they get solar panels fitted: who’s actually going up on your roof?

With most solar companies, it’s electricians. They’re brilliant at wiring and inverters — but they’re not roofers. They don’t understand load-bearing structures, tile integrity, flashing details, or ventilation. And when they drill through your roof to mount panels, they’re creating penetrations that need to be sealed properly by someone who knows what they’re doing.

We’ve already seen the results of poorly installed solar systems during our roofing repair work — leaks, cracked tiles, compromised membranes, and warranties voided because an electrician didn’t understand the surface they were working on.

Up Top Solar does it properly:

• We’re qualified roofers first. Our own team handles every aspect of the roof work — structural assessment, scaffold erection, panel mounting, and weatherproof sealing. This is what we’ve been doing for years across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and beyond.
• We partner with trusted local MCS-accredited electricians for the wiring, inverters, and grid connection — specialists we’ve worked alongside on projects for years.
• One team, one guarantee. No finger-pointing between trades. You get a single point of contact and full insurance-backed warranties covering both the roofing and the solar installation.

That’s what “power from the top down” means — proper roofing expertise driving every solar installation, from the very first tile check to the final grid connection.

What Solar Services Do We Offer?

Up Top Solar covers everything you’d expect from a professional solar installer — and a few things you wouldn’t get from anyone else:

• Solar PV panel installation — residential and commercial, new builds and retrofits
• Battery storage solutions — store energy for evenings and peak tariff hours
• Integrated solar roofing — panels built into the roofline for a clean, seamless look
• Solar + new roof packages — combining a roof replacement with solar installation saves on scaffolding, labour, and disruption (this is our sweet spot)
• Maintenance and repairs — including fixing the damage other installers leave behind
• Free feasibility surveys — honest advice on whether solar is right for your property

Full details on all of these are on our Up Top Solar page.

The Numbers: Why 2026 Is the Year to Go Solar in Dorset

If you’ve been on the fence about solar panels, here’s what’s making Dorset homeowners take the plunge right now:

0% VAT on solar installations. The government removed all VAT on residential solar panel and battery installations in 2022, and this relief runs until 31 March 2027. On a typical system, that’s a saving of over £1,000. But this won’t last forever — once it ends, the rate goes back up to at least 5%.

Dorset gets more sun than almost anywhere else in the UK. The south coast receives significantly more sunlight than the national average, which means your panels will generate more electricity and your payback period is shorter than for homes further north.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) means you can sell surplus electricity back to the grid. You’re not just saving on your bills — you’re earning from the energy you don’t use.

Local council funding is available. The government has allocated funding to Dorset Council and BCP Council specifically for household energy improvements. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for support. We can point you in the right direction during your survey.

A typical system can cut your annual electricity bill in half — and even more if you add battery storage to maximise self-consumption.

Already Need a New Roof? This Is Where It Gets Interesting

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a roofing company for your solar installation is the ability to combine both projects into one.

If your roof needs repairing or replacing anyway, doing it at the same time as a solar installation means:

• Shared scaffolding (our own, from Up Top Scaffolding — no third-party delays)
• Less disruption to your home
• A system that’s perfectly integrated from day one
• Significant cost savings versus doing two separate projects

It’s one of the smartest ways to go solar, and it’s something no standalone solar company can offer you.

How It Works — From Survey to Switched On

We’ve kept the process simple, just like we do with all our roofing work:

1. Free roof and solar survey. We visit your property to assess your roof’s condition, orientation, shading, and structural suitability. If solar isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you honestly.
2. Custom system design. We design a system tailored to your roof, energy usage, and budget — and explain everything in plain English.
3. Professional installation. Our scaffolding goes up, our roofers handle the roof work and panel mounting, and our trusted electricians complete the wiring and grid connection.
4. Handover and aftercare. System registered, MCS certification provided, SEG export tariff set up, and a full walkthrough. We’re always a phone call away if you need anything afterwards.

Get in Touch

If you’ve been thinking about solar panels — or if you’ve had quotes from solar companies and weren’t sure whether to trust electricians on your roof — we’d love to have a conversation.

We offer free, no-obligation solar feasibility surveys across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Ferndown, Ringwood, Dorchester, and the wider Dorset area.

Call us on 01202 287857 or visit our contact page to request a callback — same 1-hour guarantee during office hours.

You can also explore the full details of our solar services on our new Up Top Solar page.

Same local team. Same award-winning quality. Same guarantee. Now with the power of solar.

Power from the top down.