Air conditioning and solar panel installers in Southampton

Solair fits air conditioning, solar panels and home batteries across Southampton, from flats in Ocean Village and the city centre to terraced streets in Portswood, Shirley, Freemantle and St Denys. Every job starts with a free survey, and you get a fixed, written price before any work begins.

Own a flat? Start with your lease

Many Southampton homes are flats and maisonettes. If you are a leaseholder, the outside walls, roof and shared areas usually belong to the freeholder or a management company. That means you will normally need their written consent before an outdoor unit or pipework goes on the building. Your lease should say who to ask.

Air conditioning in a flat needs a compact setup. The planning rules allow one outdoor unit on a block of flats, and it must be no bigger than 0.6 cubic metres. We look for a sensible spot on a balcony, a rear wall or a flat roof. Our air conditioning systems heat as well as cool, so they work all year.

Solar on a Southampton terrace

Large parts of the city are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, especially around Portswood, Polygon, Shirley and Freemantle. Their roofs are often smaller than a semi’s, with a main slope plus a lower roof over the back addition. We look at both, along with chimneys and shade from neighbouring roofs, before we suggest a layout. A battery then lets you use more of your daytime solar in the evening. Our guide on what size battery you need explains how we size one.

Terraced houses can take air conditioning too. The outdoor unit usually goes on the back wall or in the yard, and the survey checks the route for the pipework.

Is your street protected?

Southampton City Council is the planning authority for the whole city. Roof solar is usually permitted development, and since 29 May 2025 so are air-to-air units, within size and siting limits. The rules are stricter in conservation areas such as Portswood Residents’ Gardens, Uplands Estate, The Avenue and Old Woolston, where an outdoor unit cannot go on a wall facing the road. Some areas, including Portswood Residents’ Gardens, also have Article 4 directions, and listed buildings always need consent. We check your address at the survey.

Power and paperwork

Southampton is on the SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) network. Solair sends them the notification for your solar panels or battery, so you do not have to. Residential solar panels and batteries carry 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. When you are ready, ask for a free quote.