Blue Ape Renewables Review: Solar From £5,150 With Published Prices
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Getting solar quotes in the UK often means a salesperson at your kitchen table and a price that only appears at the end of the visit. Blue Ape Renewables does it differently: it publishes its prices online. Its solar panel systems start at £5,150 for a 6-panel setup, solar plus battery packages start at £6,615, and battery-only installs start at £1,465. It’s a family-run, MCS-certified installer covering England, Scotland and Wales, with a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot.
For this Blue Ape Renewables review, we went through the company’s published package prices, what’s included and excluded, its accreditations, warranty terms, deposit process and customer feedback. The goal is to show what you actually get for the listed price and what to check before you book a survey.
Quick Facts
- Services: Solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps, EV chargers, solar carports, commercial solar, inverter services
- Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
- Solar PV only: From £5,150 (2.73kWp, 6 x DMEGC 455W panels)
- Solar PV + battery: From £6,615 (same panels plus a 3.2kWh Hanchu battery)
- Battery add-ons: From £1,465 (Hanchu 3.2kWh)
- Tesla Powerwall 3: From £7,995 (13.5kWh)
- Deposit: £200, fully refundable
- Accreditations: MCS, NAPIT, RECC, TrustMark, Tesla Certified, GivEnergy Approved, Fox Elite Installer
- Workmanship warranty: 2 years, insurance-backed
- Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks from enquiry; most installs done in 1 day
Blue Ape Renewables Review: Solar Packages and Prices
Blue Ape lists three solar options on its website:
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV Only | From £5,150 | 2.73kWp system with 6 x DMEGC 455W panels, hybrid inverter, bird deterrent, scaffolding up to 8m, smart monitoring |
| PV + Battery Package | From £6,615 | Same 6-panel system plus a 3.2kWh Hanchu battery (backup gateway not included) |
| Custom Solar Solutions | Quoted | Larger systems, multiple panel configurations and extended warranty options |
Blue Ape says domestic systems range from 4 to 16+ panels and that eligible domestic installations qualify for 0% VAT. Every price is “from” and subject to a site survey, so the final figure depends on your roof and electrics. The company says that if the survey confirms a standard installation, the online quote is locked in.
What’s Included and What’s Not
Blue Ape’s standard solar installation includes:
- DMEGC 455W solar panels and an inverter
- Mounting kit, fixings, wiring and electrical work
- MCS registration and certification, plus DNO notification
- A bird deterrent on systems under 12 panels
- One elevation of scaffolding, up to 8m
- System monitoring setup, commissioning and handover
- A 2-year insurance-backed workmanship warranty
Items not included unless quoted are just as important: extra scaffolding, asbestos removal or roof repairs, consumer unit upgrades, three-phase upgrades, removal of existing panels, ground-mount frames, EV charger installation, planning applications for listed buildings, and tree removal for shading. If your home needs any of these, expect the price to rise above the “from” figure.
Battery Storage Options
Blue Ape also publishes prices for battery storage, either as an add-on to existing solar or as a standalone system that charges on cheaper off-peak tariffs:
| Battery | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hanchu add-on | 3.2kWh / 5.12kWh / 9.4kWh | From £1,465 / £1,835 / £2,925 |
| Fox EP5 / EP11 | 5.18kWh / 10.36kWh | £2,625 / £4,635 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5kWh, built-in inverter | From £7,995 (+£5,895 per expansion pack) |
The Hanchu batteries are AC-coupled with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and 95% depth of discharge. To make a Hanchu or Fox battery work without solar, Blue Ape lists a 3.68kW AC-coupled inverter from £1,225 for Hanchu or £670 for Fox. The Tesla Powerwall 3 offers whole-home backup and Storm Watch, which charges the battery ahead of forecast outages.
How the Process Works
- Get an online price or book a free design call. Calls are answered 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday.
- Pay a £200 fully refundable deposit to lock in current equipment pricing.
- Technical survey. Blue Ape checks your roof, electrics and shading. If extra work is needed or the install isn’t suitable, it says it will tell you straight away, and your deposit is refunded if you don’t proceed.
- Installation. Most solar installs are completed in one day, with the whole process typically taking 2–4 weeks.
Where shading is a problem, Blue Ape can specify micro-inverters or power optimisers so one shaded panel doesn’t drag down the rest. Once your system is MCS registered, you can sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee and get paid for electricity you export.
What Customers Say
Blue Ape shows a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot and posts customer testimonials on its site. Recurring themes are clear explanations with no hard sell, helpful staff by name, and smooth installs. One standout review praised the team for advising that a battery wasn’t worth it for that customer’s usage, rather than selling one anyway. The company also points to more than 170 YouTube videos of real installations, which is a useful way to see its work before committing.
Who It’s For
- UK homeowners in England, Scotland or Wales who want to compare published prices before talking to a salesperson.
- Existing solar owners who want to add a battery.
- Households on smart tariffs looking at a standalone battery to shift usage to cheap off-peak hours.
- Anyone considering a Tesla Powerwall 3 with a certified installer.
Who It’s Not For
- Homes in Northern Ireland or outside Great Britain.
- Properties needing major roof work, asbestos removal or three-phase upgrades: these are extra and can add significantly to the cost.
- Buyers who want a long workmanship warranty: the standard cover is 2 years, though product warranties run much longer.
Blue Ape Renewables Review: Warranties and Points to Check
Blue Ape says its panels carry up to a 25-year manufacturer warranty, while inverters and batteries typically have 10–12 year warranties. Its own workmanship is covered for 2 years by an insurance-backed warranty underwritten by a third party.
A few details on the website don’t line up perfectly, so they’re worth confirming in your written quote:
- Panel guarantee: the “What’s Included” list mentions “up to 30-year performance guarantee on panels”, while the FAQ and other sections say up to 25 years.
- Inverter brand: the package cards mention a Hanchu hybrid inverter, while the included-items list says “Fox or equivalent”.
- Deposit: the process page describes a £200 refundable deposit, while the store’s deposit product is titled “£250 Deposit” but priced at £200.
None of these are red flags on their own, but your quote should state exactly which panels, inverter and battery you’re getting, the warranty terms for each, and the deposit amount. Start with an online price on the Blue Ape Renewables website and ask for these details in writing before the survey.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Prices published online, from £5,150 for solar and £1,465 for batteries
- Fully accredited: MCS, NAPIT, RECC, TrustMark, Tesla Certified
- £200 deposit refunded if you don’t proceed after survey
- Scaffolding (one elevation) and bird deterrent included on smaller systems
- Wide battery choice, from Hanchu to Tesla Powerwall 3
- 4.9 Trustpilot rating and 170+ installation videos
Cons
- “From” prices rise with extra scaffolding, roof work or electrical upgrades
- Entry package is a small 2.73kWp system
- Standard workmanship warranty is 2 years
- Small inconsistencies on the website around warranty, inverter and deposit
- Phone lines only open on weekdays
FAQ
How much does Blue Ape Renewables charge for solar panels?
Solar PV starts from £5,150 for a 6-panel, 2.73kWp system, and solar plus battery starts from £6,615. Final prices are confirmed after a survey.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes. Blue Ape says the £200 deposit is fully refunded if you decide not to proceed after the survey.
How long does installation take?
Most solar installs take one day. The full process usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Can I add a battery later?
Yes. Blue Ape says its systems are battery-ready, and battery add-ons start from £1,465.
Is Blue Ape Renewables MCS certified?
Yes. It’s also NAPIT, RECC and TrustMark registered, Tesla Certified and a Fox Elite Installer.
Blue Ape Renewables Review: Bottom Line
Blue Ape Renewables stands out for something many installers avoid: published prices. With solar from £5,150, batteries from £1,465, full accreditations, a refundable deposit and strong customer feedback, it’s an easy installer to shortlist if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. Treat the listed prices as a starting point, since roof work, extra scaffolding and electrical upgrades cost more, and make sure your written quote confirms the exact equipment and warranties. Handled that way, it’s a transparent and well-reviewed option for going solar.
That wraps up our Blue Ape Renewables review. Get your free quote on the official Blue Ape Renewables website.
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