Sunsave Review 2025: Is the Solar Deal Worth It?

Solar panels are no longer just for the eco-obsessed or the early adopters. With electricity prices still volatile and batteries becoming more efficient, thousands of UK homeowners are now exploring ways to cut their energy bills.

But what if you could go solar without paying thousands upfront? That’s the promise from Sunsave – one of the few UK solar installers offering a “no-upfront-cost” model, where you spread the cost over 20 years instead of paying for everything at once.

In this review, we’ll unpack how Sunsave’s offer works, what you actually get, and how it compares to other major players such as Hometree, Heatable, Octopus Energy, and E.ON Next.

How Sunsave Works

Sunsave lets homeowners install solar panels – typically with a battery – without paying anything upfront. Instead, you make a fixed monthly payment (for around 20 years) that covers the cost of the system, installation, and maintenance.

Unlike a lease, Sunsave says you own the system from day one, which means you benefit directly from your generation and any electricity you export to the grid.

Their plan also includes ongoing monitoring, insurance and performance guarantees. In their words, it’s about giving homeowners “a simple, affordable way to go solar without the stress of big bills or complex decisions.”

The Independent recently described Sunsave’s model as “a long-term 20-year loan on your solar system … no up-front cost,” noting it’s one of the most accessible ways to enter the market.

Sunsave Pros and Cons

Let’s look at what makes Sunsave appealing – and what you should consider before signing up.

Why homeowners like it

Many households find Sunsave’s simplicity and affordability hard to ignore. You can start saving on your electricity bills immediately, without remortgaging or dipping into savings.

The fixed monthly payment makes budgeting easy, and having maintenance and warranty bundled in removes much of the hassle associated with system ownership.

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Customer feedback has been largely positive too, with users on Trustpilot praising Sunsave’s clear communication and straightforward process.

Where you should be cautious

There’s no such thing as a free lunch – and while the upfront cost disappears, the total cost over time is higher. Because you’re spreading payments across two decades, interest and finance fees add up.

If you move house during the term, you’ll need to check how (or if) the agreement transfers to a new owner. And of course, the value of any solar installation still depends on your roof orientation, shading, and daily energy use.

If you stay long-term and have a south-facing roof, Sunsave makes strong sense. If you’re likely to move or prefer to pay less overall, a traditional “buy-outright” system might be better.

Sunsave vs the Competition

Let’s compare Sunsave’s approach with other key UK solar providers.

Hometree

Hometree’s Solar Plan is a close rival. Like Sunsave, it offers low or no upfront cost, but lets you choose payment terms from 5 to 25 years rather than being locked into 20. Monthly payments start from around £75, and maintenance is also included.

If you want flexibility in repayment length, Hometree may edge ahead. If you’d rather set-and-forget a fixed long-term payment, Sunsave’s simplicity might appeal more.

Heatable

Heatable takes the more traditional route: you buy the system outright or with shorter-term finance. Prices for a typical 7 kW system sit around £6,000 – £7,000, with batteries bringing the total closer to £9,000 – £10,000.

You pay more up front, but over 20 years you’ll likely spend less overall than on a long finance plan. Heatable’s customer service record is excellent (Trustpilot 4.8/5) and their kit is premium, using high-efficiency panels and micro-inverters.

Octopus Energy

Octopus sells and installs panels directly, typically charging £5,000 – £8,000 depending on system size. The real advantage here is pairing your solar with Octopus’ smart tariffs, which pay some of the UK’s best export rates.

The downside? You’ll need the funds (or short finance term) to buy the system. But if you can, the long-term savings are excellent — The Independent estimated a 9-year payback and more than £14,000 in lifetime savings.

E.ON Next

E.ON offers a similar purchase model, with systems starting from around £4,995 for smaller homes.

They’re a big-name installer with decent warranties (25 years on panels, 10 years on batteries), but reviews on service quality are more mixed.

E.ON suits those who prefer a large, established brand – though smaller specialists like Heatable or Octopus often deliver faster installs and more tailored support.

Provider	Model Type	Up-front Cost	Payment Structure	Ownership	What’s Included	Best For
Sunsave	Subscription (20 yrs)	£0 or very low	Fixed monthly payment (~£69 – £99)	Yes	Panels, battery, maintenance, monitoring	Homeowners wanting no upfront cost and budget certainty
Hometree	Flexible finance (5–25 yrs)	£0 or low deposit	Monthly from ~£75	Yes	Installation, monitoring, repairs	Those wanting flexibility with inclusive cover
Heatable	Purchase / short finance	£6k – £9k typical	Pay in full or short-term finance	Yes	Premium kit, strong aftercare	Quality-minded buyers with funds to invest
Octopus Energy	Purchase / Finance	£5k – £8k	One-off or shorter finance	Yes	Panels, optional battery, smart tariffs	Homeowners wanting top export savings
E.ON Next	Purchase	From £4,995	Finance available	Yes	Panels, standard warranties	Big-brand buyers comfortable with purchase

Verdict – is Sunsave worth it?

For many households, Sunsave is an appealing bridge into solar ownership.

It removes the biggest psychological (and financial) barrier – that initial £5,000 – £10,000 outlay – while still letting you own the system and enjoy lower electricity bills straight away.

If you’re planning to stay in your home for a decade or more, prefer predictable payments, and don’t want to deal with maintenance headaches, Sunsave offers a genuinely smart route.

However, if you can afford to buy outright, or plan to move home within a few years, the purchase model from Heatable, Octopus or E.ON is likely to give you stronger long-term value.

In short:

Sunsave is best for affordability and simplicity.
Heatable is best for premium quality and service.
Octopus wins for tariff pairing and overall return.
Hometree balances flexibility with peace of mind.
E.ON suits those wanting a big-brand option with finance.