Renegade Solar

Renegade Solar: solar and battery installation in Greater Manchester

Renegade Solar is a company that installs solar panels, battery storage systems and electric vehicle chargers, operating in North Manchester and the rest of Greater Manchester. The firm presents itself as an MCS-certified installer (with the number NAP-66870) and an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner, a recognition which, according to the company itself, involves vetting by the energy supplier for home battery and electric vehicle charger installations, as well as solar.

The business is run personally by Ashley Merritt, a qualified electrician with more than 20 years of experience, of which more than 10 have been in commercial projects. Merritt carries out the free survey himself, designs the system, oversees the installation on site and handles any follow-up queries. The company stresses that it does not employ salespeople or work on commission, and that installations are carried out by its own in-house team, with the sole exception of specialist scaffolding.

Services offered

Renegade Solar's range covers several areas of work related to solar energy and electrical work:

• Residential solar panel installation: systems combined with batteries to reduce electricity costs and CO2 emissions.
• Commercial solar installations: aimed at reducing business electricity costs.
• EV charger installation, repair and relocation: for homes and businesses.
• Electrical safety inspections and EICR: with same-day certificates, at a stated price of £150 plus VAT.
• Home battery installation: to store cheap electricity and reduce energy bills all year round.
• Electrical testing in Manchester: inspection, verification and commissioning carried out by an electrician with more than 20 years of experience.

Work process

The company describes a consistent procedure for all projects. It begins with a free survey in which a qualified electrician examines the actual roof, the consumer unit, the cable routing and the customer's energy usage habits. A system design is then produced, including panel layout, inverter and battery sizing, 3D modelling and generation projections tailored to the property and the tariff in place. A written proposal is then provided with the equipment, layout and payback calculations, including the assumptions used.

The installation is carried out by Renegade Solar's in-house team. For a standard domestic installation, the usual timeframe is one to two days, depending on scaffolding, the condition of the roof, work on the consumer unit and weather conditions. After installation, commissioning and certification are carried out in accordance with the applicable requirements of BS 7671, with MCS-certified equipment and installation so that the system is eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee. The company includes two years of routine maintenance and a training session on the monitoring system.

Certifications and warranties

Every installation includes government-backed certifications: MCS, TrustMark and NAPIT. The company states that it uses quality components with manufacturer warranties and installs monitoring technology so that the customer can track their energy production. Renegade Solar presents itself as an MCS-certified installer (NAP-66870), TrustMark registered and NAPIT approved.

Financial aspects and grants

The company notes that domestic solar and battery installations are subject to 0% VAT instead of the usual 20%. According to the information published, this type of relief is in force until 31 March 2027, is applied automatically on the invoice and, since February 2024, also includes standalone batteries. The Smart Export Guarantee pays for electricity exported to the grid, and eligibility depends on the installation being MCS-certified. Renegade Solar also mentions that a battery combined with an off-peak tariff charges when electricity is cheap and powers the home when it is not, with or without solar panels, and it has a specific page about battery installation with the Octopus Go tariff.

For lower-income households in England, the company reports the existence of the Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, a means-tested grant for homes with an EPC energy rating of D to G, administered through local authorities. The firm reminds customers that eligibility criteria change and refers them to the official GOV.UK page to check the current rules.

Company profile and customer service

Renegade Solar describes itself as a small Manchester business, not a sales operation. Ashley Merritt personally carries out the survey, designs the system, oversees the installation and remains the point of contact for any subsequent queries. The company emphasises that it does not subcontract installations to unknown third parties: when there is someone on the roof, it is either its own team or one of its regular roofers. It also notes that it takes on complicated roofs — flat, with roof lights, dormers, chimneys, parapets, mixed sections and ground mounts — and designs based on what is actually on the building.

The firm states that it has been called in to correct battery installations placed in lofts, which contravenes NAPIT guidelines, and to review quotes calculated with Google Earth that overlooked the flat roof most suitable for the home. As for its reputation, the company shows an average rating of 9.96/10 based on 165 verified reviews on Checkatrade, with reviews highlighting the quality of work, communication and value for money. One of the reproduced reviews mentions an installation completed in August 2026.

Location and contact

Prestwich, Greater Manchester · Phone: 07868 643 147 · Email: renegadeelectrical99@gmail.com