Editorial & Review Policy
Editorial & Review Policy —
How We Work
We think you deserve to know exactly how the content on this site is produced, checked, and kept up to date. This page explains it all — no vagueness, no corporate fudging.
Our editorial pipeline — from idea to published page
Topic Sourcing
Reader questions, UK search demand & emerging solar news
Primary Research
DESNZ, MCS, Ofgem — not manufacturer press releases
In-House Writing
Written by our team — never outsourced or AI-generated
Fact-Checking
Every stat traced to its source and cross-referenced
Expert Sign-Off
Technical review by Christopher, Solar Design Engineer
Publish & Refresh
Published with a dated source log and a scheduled review
How We Write and Fact-Check Our Content
Every article on SolarBriton starts with a genuine question — usually something a UK homeowner has actually asked us about solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, or solar thermal systems. We don’t generate content to fill word counts. We write it because people need clear, reliable answers.
All content is written in-house by our own team. We never use AI to generate finished articles and we don’t outsource writing to anonymous freelancers without thorough editorial oversight. Anything published on this site is work we stand behind.
Our two-stage fact-check process:
- Stage 1 — Writer review: Every statistic, price, or technical claim is traced back to its original source and linked directly within the article. If a claim can’t be verified from an authoritative UK source, it doesn’t go in.
- Stage 2 — Technical sign-off: Christopher Churchill, our Solar Design Engineer and Founder, reviews each piece for technical accuracy — checking that performance figures, installation details, and savings estimates are realistic for UK conditions. We don’t rely on favourable manufacturer figures.
We are transparent about where we sourced our data. Each data-heavy page carries a “Sources” section at the foot listing the exact publications and datasets we used.
How We Review Solar Products and Installers
Our solar product reviews — covering panels, battery storage systems, inverters, EV chargers, and solar thermal equipment — go beyond the spec sheet. We don’t simply repackage manufacturer marketing copy. Here’s what a full SolarBriton review actually involves:
Real-World UK Data
We use independently measured UK performance figures, not just lab ratings from the manufacturer’s datasheet.
MCS Product Directory Check
We verify MCS certification status directly from the MCS product directory — not from the brand’s own website.
Pricing at Time of Review
We record actual UK installer quotes at the time of review, not recommended retail prices that rarely reflect reality.
Warranty Document Review
We read the actual warranty terms, not the summary. Exclusions and degradation clauses matter and we call them out.
No Sponsored Placement
Products and installers cannot pay to appear in, or improve their position in, any SolarBriton review or roundup.
UK Availability Verified
We check the product is actually obtainable through UK distribution channels at the time of publication.
Customer Feedback Analysis
We review verified customer feedback from Trustpilot, Google, and the MCS complaint log before publishing any recommendation.
Expert Technical Sign-Off
Every product review is checked by Christopher — our Solar Design Engineer — before it goes live.
For installer reviews, we assess MCS registration status, geographic coverage, verified customer ratings, accreditations, and — where we have direct experience — our own observations. We never accept payment from solar installers to be listed, to improve their rating, or to appear on this site.
Our Data Sources Policy
We have a strict policy on where our figures come from. We never use statistics from manufacturer marketing materials, unverified solar comparison sites, or undated secondary sources. Our approved sources are:
| Source | Type | What They Provide | How We Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESNZ Dept for Energy Security & Net Zero | Government | UK energy statistics, solar installation figures, renewable capacity data | Market size stats, annual capacity figures, policy context |
| MCS Microgeneration Certification Scheme | Industry | Certified installer register, certified product database, installation data | Installer verification, product certification checks, installation volumes |
| Ofgem Office of Gas & Electricity Markets | Government | Energy price data, Smart Export Guarantee rates, tariff information | Electricity price figures, SEG rate tables, bill saving estimates |
| Energy Saving Trust | Charity | Household energy savings guidance, solar savings estimates, retrofit data | Savings projections, efficiency guidance, consumer-focused benchmarks |
| ONS Office for National Statistics | Government | Household energy consumption data, housing stock statistics | Benchmarking typical UK energy usage, regional comparisons |
When we use figures from any of these sources, we link directly to the original publication and record the access date. If a source updates their data, we flag the affected pages for immediate review.
How Often We Update Our Content
Solar energy is a fast-moving space. Panel prices shift, government schemes evolve, SEG rates change, and new product generations arrive regularly. Stale information can lead to poor decisions, and that’s not something we’re willing to risk. We commit to the following update schedule:
| Content Type | Review Frequency | What Gets Reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Price guides & market data | Quarterly Jan · Apr · Jul · Oct | System costs, panel prices, battery prices, installation quotes |
| Grant & incentive pages | Quarterly + on change | Eligibility criteria, grant amounts, scheme deadlines, application routes |
| Product reviews | Annual or on new model | Specs, real-world data, pricing, MCS status, warranty terms, availability |
| Installer reviews | Every 6 months | MCS status, customer ratings, coverage area, accreditations |
| SEG rate tables | Quarterly + on rate change | Export rates by supplier, tariff terms, eligibility requirements |
| News & analysis | Event-driven | Updated when policy, technology, or market conditions change |
Every updated page carries a visible “Last updated” date and a brief change log noting what was revised. We think that’s the minimum standard of transparency for a site covering topics that involve significant financial decisions.
Affiliate & Commercial Disclosure
We want to be completely straight with you about how SolarBriton is funded, because it matters to how you read our content.
Our Affiliate Disclosure
“We may earn a commission if you buy through our links — this never influences our editorial independence or the opinions we express.”
Some links on SolarBriton.co.uk point to products or services through affiliate partnerships. If you click one of those links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission from the retailer or manufacturer — at no extra cost to you.
These arrangements are declared in line with the ASA CAP Code on advertising and affiliate marketing, and are consistent with FCA guidance on financial promotions. Any page containing affiliate links is clearly marked with an affiliate disclosure notice at the top.
We do not select, rank, or recommend products based on affiliate commission rates. Our reviews are based on performance data, real-world testing, independent sources, and genuine assessment. We would tell you honestly if a product wasn’t worth buying, regardless of whether we’d earn from a sale.
Solar panels, battery storage, and other renewable energy systems represent significant financial investments for most UK homeowners. We take that responsibility seriously, and we will never let a commercial arrangement compromise the accuracy or integrity of what we publish.
The SolarBriton Editorial Code — In Plain English
- We write what we actually think. If a product has a significant flaw, we say so — even if it costs us affiliate income.
- We link directly to our sources so you can check the numbers yourself, not just take our word for them.
- We update data-heavy pages every quarter and flag what changed. You’ll never be reading unknowingly outdated figures.
- We clearly tell you when we earn a commission. Transparency isn’t optional — it’s how trust is built.
- We only recommend solar products and installers we’d honestly consider for our own homes. That’s the test we apply every time.
Questions About Our Editorial Standards?
Spotted an error, a broken source link, or have feedback on a review? Christopher reads every message personally and takes editorial feedback seriously.