Renewable energy retail — solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, EV chargers — is a rapidly growing ecommerce category with technically sophisticated buyers. Purchasing decisions involve detailed specification comparisons, government scheme eligibility (MCS certification, Smart Export Guarantee), and installation considerations. Migrating to Shopify requires carrying all this technical data and making it accessible.

Renewable energy product categories

Solar panels: Mono-crystalline, poly-crystalline, bifacial. Wattage (W), efficiency (%), dimensions, weight, and temperature coefficient as key specs.
Solar inverters: String, micro, hybrid (with battery storage capability). Input voltage range, output power, and efficiency.
Battery storage systems: Lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC). Capacity (kWh), usable capacity (kWh), C-rate, and cycle life.
EV chargers: Home wallbox chargers. Power output (kW), smart functionality, cable type.
Solar accessories: Mounting systems, cable, DC isolators, combiner boxes, monitoring equipment.
Off-grid and portable solar: Portable panels, solar generators, power stations for camping/backup.
Heat pumps and thermal: Air source heat pumps, solar thermal collectors. Usually supply-only or supply-and-install.

Solar panel metafields

product.metafields.solar.watt_peak_wp = "415"             // STC power output
product.metafields.solar.efficiency_pct = "21.3"
product.metafields.solar.cell_type = "Monocrystalline PERC / TOPCon / HJT / Bifacial"
product.metafields.solar.dimensions_mm = "1722x1134x30"
product.metafields.solar.weight_kg = "21.3"
product.metafields.solar.frame_colour = "Silver / Black"
product.metafields.solar.temperature_coefficient_pct_c = "-0.30"
product.metafields.solar.voc_v = "41.5"                   // open circuit voltage
product.metafields.solar.isc_a = "13.2"                   // short circuit current
product.metafields.solar.max_system_voltage_v = "1500"
product.metafields.solar.product_warranty_years = "12"
product.metafields.solar.power_warranty_years = "30"
product.metafields.solar.mcs_approved = "true"
product.metafields.solar.mcs_product_number = "MCS-12345"

Battery storage metafields

product.metafields.solar.capacity_kwh = "10"
product.metafields.solar.usable_capacity_kwh = "9"
product.metafields.solar.chemistry = "LFP / NMC"
product.metafields.solar.cycle_life = "6000"              // cycles at 80% DoD
product.metafields.solar.max_continuous_power_kw = "5"
product.metafields.solar.peak_power_kw = "7.5"
product.metafields.solar.round_trip_efficiency_pct = "95"
product.metafields.solar.operating_temp_c = "-10 to 50"
product.metafields.solar.warranty_years = "10"
product.metafields.solar.mcs_approved = "true"

MCS certification and government schemes

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification is required for products and installations eligible for UK government incentives:

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Solar panel systems must be installed by an MCS-certified installer using MCS-approved products to qualify. Highlight MCS approval prominently for solar panels and inverters.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): Heat pumps require MCS-certified products and installation for the £7,500 government grant.
0% VAT on solar panels: Solar panels, batteries, and associated installation services have been zero-rated for VAT since April 2022 in the UK (until 2027). Configure Shopify tax settings correctly: solar panel products should be zero-rated.

EV charger metafields

product.metafields.solar.ev_power_kw = "7.4 / 11 / 22"
product.metafields.solar.ev_socket_type = "Type 2 (IEC 62196) / NEMA 14-50 / Tethered"
product.metafields.solar.ev_smart_charging = "true"        // OZEV/DVSA compliant
product.metafields.solar.ev_app_connected = "true"
product.metafields.solar.ev_solar_integration = "true"     // can sync with solar generation
product.metafields.solar.ev_warranty_years = "3"
product.metafields.solar.ozev_approved = "true"            // for EVHS grant eligibility

Supply-only vs supply-and-install

Some renewable energy retailers sell products for self-install or trade purchase, others also offer installation services. In Shopify:

Supply-only product: standard Shopify product
Supply and install: either a separate product (with installation as a service) or using Infinite Options app to add an installation service add-on to each panel/inverter product
Installation surveys or consultation: can be sold as a paid service product (£0 for free surveys, or paid consultation fee)

Freight for heavy renewable energy products

Solar panels (22kg each), inverters, and battery systems are heavy. Multiple panels on one order can weigh hundreds of kilograms:

Assign solar panels, inverters, and battery systems to a freight shipping profile
Carrier-calculated or fixed freight rates based on panel count
Pallet delivery may be required for large orders — note clearly on product pages

Post-migration checklist for renewable energy stores

Solar panel Wp, efficiency, and dimensions as metafields
MCS product number on all MCS-approved panels and inverters
0% VAT configured for solar panels, batteries, and installation services
Battery storage capacity (total and usable) and cycle life as metafields
EV charger power output and OZEV approval status as metafields
Freight shipping profile for panels, inverters, and battery systems
SEG and BUS eligibility information on relevant product pages

Migrating a renewable energy and solar products store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)