Sustainability business loans — Documents needed to get a quick quote for solar PV & heat pump financing (UK SMEs)

Summary: To receive a fast, indicative quote for solar PV or heat pump finance, most lenders and brokers will ask for a short, specific set of documents: a company ID (Companies House number), an itemised installer quote (preferably from an MCS-approved supplier), the last 3 months of business bank statements, and recent management or statutory accounts. Supplying these items speeds up responses from the market and often produces an indicative quote within hours to 48 hours. Ready to get started? Get a Free Eligibility Check — it takes under 2 minutes and does not affect your credit score.

Quick summary — what lenders need to give a fast quote

Most lenders and brokers can issue an indicative finance quote quickly if you supply a small, focused pack of documents and clear contact details for a decision-maker. An indicative quote is not a formal offer — it’s a rate/term estimate based on the documents provided. Once you submit these items, our panel can usually provide indicative pricing within hours or up to 48 hours. For a formal offer, lenders will ask for additional documents and checks.

Get Quote Now — it’s free, confidential and takes under 2 minutes.

Minimum documents for a quick, indicative quote (fast-track)

For most solar PV and heat pump SME projects, the following minimum set is enough for an initial, indicative response:

• Basic business details — company name, Companies House registration number, trading address and main contact email/phone.
• Itemised installer quote — signed or pro‑forma quotation from the installer showing equipment (kW), inverter details, labour, VAT, total cost and expected installation date. Lenders prefer quotes from MCS-approved installers but will issue indicative terms from a standard itemised quote.
• Last 3 months business bank statements — demonstrates trading cashflow and ability to service repayments. Many lenders accept 3 months for a quick quote.
• Recent management accounts or last year’s statutory accounts — if available. For fast quotes, management accounts covering the last 3–6 months work well.
• VAT number — if registered (helps clarify VAT treatment and possible recovery).
• Contact details for the decision-maker — name, role (director/authorised signatory) and best phone/email for quick follow-up.

Full document checklist lenders commonly request before an offer

When the lender is ready to progress beyond an indicative quote, they typically require a larger documentation pack. Below is a grouped checklist with short notes:

Operational & company documents

• Companies House filing history and recent confirmation statement.
• Director ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of address for KYC / AML checks.
• Proof of business address (utility bill or similar, within 3 months).
• Leases, title deeds or certificate of incorporation (if lender requires security).

Financial documents

• Statutory accounts for the last 1–2 years (if available).
• Latest management accounts and a 12‑month cashflow forecast.
• Bank statements (6–12 months preferred for full underwriting).
• Schedule of existing debts and monthly repayments.
• Business plan or project summary for larger installations.

Project & technical documents

• Itemised installer quotation(s) from MCS-certified suppliers (equipment + labour + warranties).
• Site survey report and proposed system layout.
• MCS certificate or installer accreditation (if already issued).
• Expected generation or heat output estimates and savings forecast.
• Grid connection correspondence (DNO) for larger solar arrays or where export limits matter.
• Planning permission confirmation where required.

Legal & contractual

• Lease or property title (if lender will take a charge).
• Landlord consent for tenant-occupied premises (often required).
• Maintenance/service agreement details and warranty documentation.
• Any performance guarantees or third-party warranties.

Which documents speed up quotes most (priority list)

If you want the fastest possible response, prioritise these four items:

1. Itemised installer quote (clear breakdown, system kW, costs).
2. Last 3 months business bank statements.
3. Recent management accounts or last year’s statutory accounts.
4. Contact details for the director or authorised signatory for quick KYC follow-up.

Fast path: upload the installer quote + last 3 months of bank statements + company number and we’ll typically get lenders to respond quickly.

How the required documents vary by finance product

• Asset finance / hire purchase: Mostly equipment-focused — installer quote, equipment serial numbers/spec, and company accounts. Faster turnaround.
• Lease / finance lease: Similar to asset finance; lease terms, maintenance arrangements and warranties are important.
• Unsecured green loans: Credit history and trading accounts carry more weight; more detailed financials may be requested.
• PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) or EPC-backed models: Lenders will want long-term yield forecasts, offtake/PPA details and MCS credentials.
• Secured loans or commercial mortgages for large installs: Property title, valuations and more thorough underwriting apply; expect longer timescales.

Typical turnaround times & what “quick quote” means

Indicative quote: often within a few hours to 2 business days when the fast-track documents are supplied. Formal offer: typically 5–15 business days depending on the size of the project, the product chosen and whether property security, valuations or DNO approvals are required. Smaller projects (roughly ≤£50k) are usually faster to process than larger ones.

Practical tips to prepare documents and avoid delays

• Organise files clearly — name them like “CompanyName_2025_MgtAccounts.pdf” or “InstallerQuote_System5kW_CompanyName.pdf”.
• Ask the installer to include: system kW, inverter specs, battery details (if any), warranty lengths, expected annual generation or heat output, and a savings estimate.
• Provide bank statements showing regular trading income — be ready to explain any large or irregular transactions.
• Have director ID and proof of address ready for quick KYC checks — this speeds formal underwriting.
• If you expect grants or RHI/PAS support, disclose these at the outset — they affect affordability calculations.
• If tenant-occupied, secure landlord consent early — many lenders require it before formal approval.

Common pitfalls that slow or derail quotes

• Installer quote without an itemised specification or with unrealistic savings projections.
• Non-MCS installer — many lenders prefer MCS accreditation for formal offers.
• Incomplete or very short bank statements and missing management accounts.
• Missing landlord consent or unclear property ownership documents when security is required.
• Unexplained large one-off transactions in bank statements.

Why use UK Business Loans to get a quick quote

We connect your business to UK lenders and brokers who specialise in sustainability projects. Our service helps you:

• Save time — one enquiry connects you to multiple suitable partners.
• Increase the chance of a relevant quote — we match you to lenders who understand solar PV and heat pump projects.
• Receive fast, indicative pricing — often within hours once you’ve supplied the minimum documents.
• Keep your options open — free, no obligation and confidential.

Important: We are not a lender and do not provide regulated financial advice. We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers; any quote you receive will be from those partners and subject to their own checks.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now (takes under 2 minutes; no initial credit impact).

How the process works (short step-by-step)

1. Complete our short enquiry form: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
2. Tell us or upload the documents you have (installer quote, bank statements, accounts).
3. We match you to 2–4 lenders/brokers experienced in sustainability finance.
4. Lenders contact you with indicative quotes and next steps.
5. If you decide to proceed, lenders/brokers will request the full documentation pack and perform standard checks.

Frequently asked questions

Will asking for quotes affect my business credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans does not affect your business credit score. Lenders or brokers may run credit checks only if you choose to progress the application.

Do I need an MCS certificate before I apply?

No — you don’t need the MCS certificate to obtain an indicative quote. Lenders prefer MCS-certified installers for formal approval, so having an MCS quote or installer helps move from indicative to formal offer faster.

What if my business is new and I don’t have full-year accounts?

Many lenders accept management accounts, bank statements, pipeline contracts, or director/corporate guarantees for smaller projects. Our matches include brokers who specialise in financing newer businesses.

Are grants and incentives considered?

Yes. Any expected grant or incentive should be declared up front because it affects the cashflow model, deposit requirement and overall finance structure.

Next steps — Get your quick quote now

If you have the installer quote and recent bank statements handy, you’re ready to get an indicative price. Complete our short form and tell us which documents you can supply — we’ll match you to the right lenders and brokers so you can compare offers quickly.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

For more background on the types of sustainability finance we help arrange, including typical lender preferences and product options, see our sector guide to sustainability business loans.

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Disclaimer: UK Business Loans acts as an introducer only. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Any finance quote you receive comes from third‑party lenders or brokers who will carry out their own checks. The information on this page is for guidance only and not a guarantee of approval or rate.

1. What documents do I need for a quick quote for solar PV or heat pump financing?
– An itemised installer quote (preferably from an MCS-approved supplier), your Companies House number, the last 3 months of business bank statements and recent management or statutory accounts.

2. How long does it take to receive an indicative quote for sustainability business loans?
– Provide the fast-track documents and lenders on our panel typically return an indicative quote within a few hours up to 48 hours.

3. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my business credit score?
– No — completing our free eligibility check or enquiry form does not affect your business credit score and is not a formal application.

4. Do I need an MCS certificate before requesting solar or heat pump finance?
– No, you can get an indicative quote without an MCS certificate, though lenders prefer MCS-accredited installers for formal approval and faster deals.

5. Can new businesses or start-ups access green finance for sustainability projects?
– Yes — many lenders accept management accounts, director guarantees or staged finance options to support newer SMEs seeking solar PV or heat pump funding.

6. What types of finance are available for solar PV and heat pump installations?
– Options include asset finance/hire purchase, lease/finance lease, unsecured green loans, PPA/EPC-backed models and secured loans or commercial mortgages for larger projects.

7. How do grants, incentives or RHI/PAS payments affect my finance quote?
– Any expected grant or incentive should be declared up front because it changes affordability calculations, deposit requirements and finance structuring.

8. Will landlords or property titles slow down a sustainability loan application?
– Possibly — many lenders require landlord consent or clear title if they will take a charge on the property, which can extend underwriting times.

9. What is the difference between an indicative quote and a formal offer for sustainability loans?
– An indicative quote is a non-binding rate/term estimate based on submitted documents, while a formal offer follows full underwriting, additional checks and more extensive documentation.

10. How do I start the process to get a free eligibility check and matched lenders for green finance?
– Complete UK Business Loans’ short enquiry form with basic business details and upload your installer quote and bank statements to be matched to suitable lenders and brokers (this is only an information match, not an application).