Government Grants for Solar Panels
This independent guide lists the government grants that can help pay for home solar panels, who runs each one and who qualifies. It is not a government website.
Why Look Into Solar Grants?
- See which schemes can pay for solar in your nation
- ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026
- 0% VAT on installed solar until 31 March 2027
- Free eligibility check; we reply by email
Government Grants for Solar Panels - An Introduction
As energy prices continue to rise across the UK, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their bills and decrease their carbon footprint. Solar panels present an excellent solution to both challenges, but the initial installation costs can be a barrier for many families.
Several schemes can make solar panel installation more affordable, and for some eligible households fully funded. These initiatives are part of the UK's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and addressing fuel poverty.
This guide helps homeowners make sense of government grants and funding options for solar panels. It gives clear, straightforward information about available schemes, eligibility criteria, and application processes, making it easier for you to access these valuable financial incentives.
Why Consider Solar Panels for Your Home?
Installing solar panels on your property offers numerous benefits beyond just the financial savings:
- Reduced Energy Bills: Generate your own electricity and significantly cut your monthly outgoings
- Energy Independence: Protect yourself from future energy price increases
- Environmental Impact: Reduce your carbon footprint and help combat climate change
- EPC Record: Solar PV is recorded on your Energy Performance Certificate
- Long-Term Investment: Modern solar panel systems can last 25-30 years with minimal maintenance
With government grants now available, there has never been a better time to invest in solar technology for your home. Depending on the scheme and your circumstances, they can cover part or all of the cost, making the switch to solar energy more accessible than ever before.
This site is an independent guide to government grants for solar panels. It explains which schemes exist, who runs them and who qualifies. It is not a government website and is not run by any scheme operator. If you use the eligibility checker, we reply by email. Any installer you go ahead with should be on the MCS register — check it yourself before you sign anything.
Did You Know?
Savings depend on how much of the electricity you use at home, the size of the system and your tariff. Each unit you use yourself avoids buying it at the capped rate (26.32p per kWh, GB average, 1 October to 31 December 2026), and the Smart Export Guarantee pays for what you export; the better fixed export rates are around 12 to 13p per kWh.
Benefits of Solar Panels with Government Grants
Discover how government-funded solar panels can transform your home, reduce your bills, and help the environment.
Reduce Energy Bills
Solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills by generating free energy from sunlight. Savings depend on how much of the power you use at home.
Eco-Friendly Energy
Solar energy is renewable and cuts the electricity you buy from the grid.
Government Funding
The UK government offers grants and schemes to support homeowners in transitioning to renewable energy, making solar panels more affordable than ever.
Increase Property Value
Solar PV is recorded on your Energy Performance Certificate, which buyers and lenders can see.
Energy Independence
Reduce reliance on the national grid and energy companies. Generate your own electricity and gain protection against rising energy costs.
Low Maintenance
Solar panel systems require minimal maintenance and typically come with 25+ year warranties, providing decades of reliable clean energy.
Available UK Government Solar Panel Grants
Find the funding options available to help you install solar panels on your UK home.
ECO4 Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is funded by the larger energy suppliers and administered by Ofgem. It runs until 31 December 2026 and can fund solar panels for eligible low-income households in Great Britain.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You might be eligible if someone gets Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit or another qualifying benefit
- You live in a property with an EPC rating of D or below
- You own your home or have permission from your landlord
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
While not a direct grant, the SEG requires energy suppliers to pay households for excess renewable electricity they export back to the grid, providing ongoing income from your solar panels.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You have installed solar PV panels up to 5MW in size
- Your installation is MCS certified
- You have a smart meter or export meter to measure electricity exported
Home Energy Scotland Loan
Home Energy Scotland's grant and loan table lists a £5,000 loan for hybrid solar PV (PV-T) and no grant for standard solar panels; funding is subject to availability.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be a homeowner in Scotland
- The property must be your primary residence
- You must use approved installers
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not pay for solar panels. It gives £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump in England and Wales (£9,000 until 31 March 2027 where an off-gas-grid home replaces oil or LPG heating).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Property in England or Wales
- Replacing fossil fuel heating with a heat pump
- You own the property (including a rented-out home)
How It Works
The typical four-step route from an eligibility check to a government-funded solar installation.
Check Eligibility
Complete our simple online form to check if you qualify for government grants based on your property and personal circumstances.
Property Survey
If a scheme goes ahead, its installer normally surveys the roof to check it is suitable before any work is agreed.
Grant Application
For schemes such as ECO4 the application goes through an obligated energy supplier or its approved installer, who prepares the paperwork with you.
Professional Installation
The MCS-certified installer you choose will fit your new solar panel system, usually in one to two days and with minimal disruption to your home.
Check Your Eligibility
Answer a few quick questions to see which solar power grants and schemes you might be eligible for in the UK.
Thank You!
Thanks, we have your answers. We reply by email. Each scheme decides who qualifies, so nothing here confirms eligibility. This site is an independent guide, not a government website.
Explore Available GrantsHow Government Grants Make Solar Panels Affordable
The UK government has implemented several schemes to make renewable energy more accessible to homeowners. These initiatives are designed to reduce the financial burden of transitioning to cleaner energy sources like solar power.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is one of the primary funding mechanisms available. It requires larger energy suppliers to help households reduce their carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. For qualifying homeowners, this can mean the supplier funds some or all of the measures; ECO is not a grant, and you may be asked to contribute.
Paying privately, the price depends on system size and your roof, so get written quotes. With a grant, the cost can be reduced, and for some eligible households fully funded, depending on the scheme and your circumstances.
Understanding the ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 scheme runs until 31 December 2026 and focuses on helping lower-income households and those in fuel poverty. To qualify, you generally need to:
- Own your home (or have permission from your landlord)
- Have a property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below
- Receive qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or others
- Meet specific income thresholds if you're not on benefits
For those who don't qualify for ECO4, other options exist, including the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which allows you to earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid, and local authority grants that may be available in your area.
The Long-Term Financial Benefits
Solar panels represent a significant long-term investment in your property. Without a grant, the payback depends on how much of the electricity you use at home and your export tariff. Where a scheme funds the work, the saving starts once the system is running.
A typical 3.5kW solar panel system in the UK can:
- Generate about 3,400 to 3,550 kWh a year in the Midlands (PVGIS)
- Cut what you buy at the capped rate of 26.32p per kWh (GB average, Oct to Dec 2026)
- Earn additional income through the SEG scheme
- Show up on your Energy Performance Certificate
- Provide protection against rising energy costs
A personalised assessment of the potential savings for your property comes from the installer’s survey, which takes into account your location, roof orientation, energy usage patterns and current electricity costs.
Ready to find out if you qualify?
Our quick eligibility checker takes just 60 seconds to complete and can tell you which grants you may be eligible for.
Check NowFrequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about government grants for solar panels.
Who is eligible for government solar panel grants in the UK?
Eligibility varies by scheme. Generally, homeowners with properties rated EPC D or below may qualify for ECO4. Other factors include receiving certain benefits (like Universal Credit, Pension Credit), household income, and property type. In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is run by councils for homes rated EPC D to G where household income is usually £36,000 or less. The eligibility checker gives an indication; each scheme makes the decision.
How much money could I save with solar panels?
Savings depend on how much of the electricity you use at home, the size of the system and your tariff. Each unit you use yourself avoids buying it at the capped rate (26.32p per kWh, GB average, 1 October to 31 December 2026), and the Smart Export Guarantee pays for what you export; the better fixed export rates are around 12 to 13p per kWh.
How much do solar panels cost after government grants?
ECO4 (until 31 December 2026) is not a grant: the energy supplier decides which measures to fund and how much, and you may be asked to contribute. In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is different: occupants do not pay for the measures it funds. If you do not qualify for either, installed solar panels and batteries carry 0% VAT in Great Britain until 31 March 2027; written quotes from MCS-certified installers give the actual price.
How long does the installation process take?
The fitting itself usually takes one or two days. How long a grant takes depends on the scheme, and on your council or energy supplier; ask them for a timeline before you commit.
Do solar panels work effectively in the UK climate?
Yes, solar panels work efficiently in the UK climate. They generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunlight. Modern panels are designed to perform well even in cloudy or overcast conditions, which are common in the UK. While output is higher in summer months, panels still generate significant electricity year-round, and PVGIS puts yield in Midlands cities at about 968 to 1,017 kWh per kWp a year.
What maintenance do solar panels require?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance. Occasional cleaning (1-2 times per year) to remove dust, leaves, or bird droppings helps maintain efficiency. Rain naturally cleans panels in most cases. Systems typically include monitoring software to track performance. Most installations come with 25-30 year warranties, though inverters may need replacement after 10-15 years. Annual professional inspections are recommended but not essential.
Still Have Questions?
Use the eligibility checker to start; we reply by email. For a scheme's own rules, its official page is the final word.
Check Your EligibilityReady to Save Money on Your Energy Bills?
Check which schemes may apply to your home. The checker takes a few minutes and we reply by email.
On Solar to 31 Mar 2027
System Lifespan
Eligibility Check
Scheme Status for Home Solar (checked October 2026)
Each line names who runs the scheme and links its official page. This site is independent; the scheme decides who qualifies.
- ECO4 (Great Britain): funded by the larger energy suppliers and administered by Ofgem for households in fuel poverty; runs until 31 December 2026. Ofgem ECO page.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant (England): run by councils for owner-occupied or privately rented homes rated EPC D to G, where household income is usually £36,000 or less (or with qualifying benefits or an eligible postcode). It can fund solar panels and occupants do not pay; delivery runs to 31 March 2028. GOV.UK.
- 0% VAT (Great Britain): installed solar panels and batteries are zero-rated until 31 March 2027, then 5%. VAT Notice 708/6.
- Smart Export Guarantee: not a grant. Licensed suppliers must offer a rate above 0p for exported electricity; the better fixed rates are around 12 to 13p per kWh. Ofgem SEG page.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales): does not pay for solar panels. It gives £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump (£9,000 until 31 March 2027 where an off-gas-grid home replaces oil or LPG). GOV.UK.
- Scotland: Home Energy Scotland's table lists a £5,000 loan for hybrid solar PV (PV-T) and no grant for standard solar panels; funding is subject to availability. Home Energy Scotland.
- Northern Ireland: ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant do not apply.
- Ended: the Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026.
Any installer you use should be on the MCS register; check it yourself before you sign anything.