Solar panels can cost thousands of pounds to install, so it’s no surprise that many households search for solar panel grants before comparing quotes. The short answer is that there is no single UK-wide solar panel grant open to everyone, but there are several schemes that may cover part or all of the cost for eligible households.
The funding landscape has changed. The government’s Warm Homes Plan, published in 2026, shifts the focus away from a universal solar subsidy and towards a wider package of home energy upgrades. This includes grant-backed support for some households and low- or zero-interest finance to help homeowners spread the cost of measures such as solar panels and battery storage.
The main routes to check in 2026 are ECO4, ECO4 Flex, the Warm Homes: Local Grant in England, Home Energy Scotland support, Welsh schemes such as Nest and local authority funding. Most schemes are aimed at households on lower incomes, people receiving certain benefits, homes with poor energy efficiency ratings, or properties in specific council areas.
What’s more, the King’s Speech in May 2026 confirmed plans for an Energy Independence Bill, aimed at scaling up homegrown renewable energy. While this is not a new solar panel grant per se, it could affect households with rooftop solar if it reduces the cost of exporting excess electricity to the grid or improves access to flexible energy tariffs. More detail is expected as the bill progresses through Parliament.
This guide explains which solar panel grants and funding schemes are available, who may qualify and what to do if you are not eligible for upfront support.
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Can I get a solar panel grant?
You may qualify if:
- You own your home or have your landlord’s permission
- Your household receives certain benefits or has a low income
- Your home has a low EPC rating, often D, E, F or G
- Your council is taking part in a relevant scheme
- You live in an area covered by a devolved or local programme
You are less likely to qualify if:
- You are not on a low income
- Your home already has a good EPC rating
- You want help replacing an existing working solar panel system
- You are looking for a grant that is open to every UK homeowner
Best first step: check your local council website, your energy supplier and the relevant national scheme for where you live.
UK solar panel grants and funding schemes at a glance
The available solar panel grants and funding support depend on where you live, your income, your home’s energy efficiency rating and whether you are looking for upfront help or savings after installation. Some schemes can cover the cost of solar panels for eligible households, while others reduce the cost indirectly through VAT relief, group-buying or payments for exported electricity.
Upfront grants and support
Scheme
Where is it available?
Who is it for?
What could you get?
How do you apply?
ECO4
Great Britain
Low-income households, people receiving certain benefits and homes with poor energy efficiency ratings
Energy-efficiency upgrades, which may include solar panels if they are recommended as part of a wider home improvement package
Contact a participating energy supplier, approved installer or your local council
ECO4 Flex
Great Britain, through participating local authorities
Households that may not receive qualifying benefits but are still considered vulnerable, fuel poor or on a low income
Similar support to ECO4, potentially including solar panels, insulation and heating upgrades
Check whether your local council takes part and ask about its ECO4 Flex eligibility rules
Warm Homes: Local Grant
England
Low-income households, people receiving certain benefits, or homes in eligible postcode areas
Free energy-saving improvements arranged by your local council, which can include solar panels if suitable
Use the government’s online eligibility checker or contact your local council
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
Scotland
Homeowners in Scotland who live in the property as their main home
Grants and interest-free loans for clean heating and energy-efficiency improvements. Solar PV is generally not covered as a standalone grant, but some renewable technologies and hybrid systems may be eligible for loan support
Contact Home Energy Scotland before starting any work
Warmer Homes Scotland
Scotland
Homeowners and private tenants who meet eligibility criteria and live in a home with a poor energy rating
Energy-efficiency improvements recommended after a home assessment
Contact Home Energy Scotland to check eligibility
Nest scheme
Wales
Households in Wales who meet income, benefit and property eligibility rules
Free advice and, for eligible households, home energy-efficiency improvements
Contact Nest or use its eligibility checker
Local authority grants
Varies by council
Eligibility depends on the council, local funding and household circumstances
Solar panels, insulation, heating upgrades or other home energy improvements, depending on the local scheme
Check your local council website or contact its home energy team
open image in galleryWhat solar panel grants are available in 2026?
1. Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) grant
If you or someone you live with qualifies for state benefits, then the ECO4 grant could be for you. ECO4 is a government efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.
As the name suggests, this is the fourth version of the scheme, which is funded by big energy companies and administered by the energy regulator Ofgem. The ECO4 has been extended to 31 December 2026, rather than ending in March 2026, although Energy Saving Trust says there are no additional delivery targets and £1.5bn previously allocated to ECO is being redirected to Warm Homes funding.
Who is eligible?
You can get help if you earn less than £31,000 as a family, and receive one of the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
If you own your house, it must be rated D or lower for energy efficiency, and if you rent, it’s E or lower. If you are in social housing, you may get help for insulation and heating systems, but not solar installations.
You can apply with your energy company for up to £10,000 of funding. The scheme is for broad energy efficiency, so you might find that insulation and a smart thermostat are better uses of the funding for your energy use.
You can also receive help for air source heat pumps, electric storage heaters, loft and wall insulation, and smart heating controls.
open image in galleryHow to apply
You can apply for the funding in England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland, by contacting your local council or a big energy firm such as British Gas. A list of participating firms is on the Ofgem website.
About 18,700 homes have received solar panels or a heat pump through the scheme, according to data from the Department for Energy and Net Zero.
2. ECO4 Flex
ECO4 Flex, also called Local Authority (LA) Flex, is an extension of ECO4 that gives councils more flexibility over eligibility criteria. LA Flex allows local authorities – councils and local government, in this case – to set their own criteria for getting funding, which could mean that you might not need to be on benefits to qualify.
Who is eligible?
People who don’t meet the standard ECO4 requirements but are considered vulnerable, such as households just above the £31,000 threshold, older residents, or those with medical conditions made worse by cold homes.
It is targeted at people vulnerable to the effects of the cold, including the elderly and those with health problems.
Your local government website should indicate if it is part of the scheme and what criteria it has chosen. So, if you earn a little above the £31,000 for most applicants for the ECO4 scheme, applying through your local council might be the best plan.
How to apply
Check your local authority’s website to see if it participates and what criteria it has set. Applications are usually made directly through your council rather than your energy provider.
3. Warm Homes: Local Grant What is it?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded scheme in England that helps local authorities improve the energy efficiency of low-income households. It is part of the wider Warm Homes Plan and is designed to help eligible homes cut energy bills, reduce fuel poverty and move towards cleaner heating.
The grant can fund a range of improvements, depending on what the property needs. These can include insulation, smart heating controls, air source heat pumps and solar panels. If your application is successful, your local council will arrange a home survey to decide which improvements are suitable. The council will then organise and pay for the agreed work, so homeowners do not usually have to pay for the upgrades themselves.
The scheme is not a solar-panel-only grant. Solar panels may be recommended if they are considered an appropriate way to improve your home’s energy performance, but the final package of measures will depend on the property assessment.
Who is eligible?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is only available in England. To qualify, your home must usually be privately owned, either by you or your landlord, and have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. If you do not know your home’s EPC rating, you can check this during the application process.
Your household income will usually need to be £36,000 a year or less. However, households with a higher income may still qualify if they live in an eligible postcode area or someone in the household receives certain benefits.
Private tenants may also be able to benefit, but their landlord may need to give permission and, in some cases, contribute towards the cost of improvements. Local authorities and their delivery partners will confirm the exact eligibility rules for each property.
How to apply
You can check your eligibility and apply through the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant online service. If you appear to qualify, your application will usually be passed to your local council or its delivery partner, which will contact you for more information and arrange a home survey. GOV.UK says councils will usually contact applicants within 10 working days.
You can also contact your local council directly to ask whether it is taking part in the scheme and how applications are being handled in your area. The scheme is delivered locally, so the exact process may vary depending on where you live and how much funding your council has available.
open image in gallery4. Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme
The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme is for those living in Scotland and now covers solar thermal panels – those that heat water rather than generate electricity – and hybrid units that do both.
A £5,000 interest-free loan is available for these panels.
Who is eligible?
The criteria are much more relaxed than other schemes and anyone in Scotland can apply if they are doing so for their own home.
The loans are interest-free, although a 1.5 per cent fee is applied to the loan. Even after this fee is applied, it is still a very cheap way to borrow for these panels if you live in Scotland.
How to apply
Ring Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 during normal office hours.
5. Wales: Nest and local authority support
The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme provides free, impartial advice to help households in Wales reduce their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Eligible households may also be offered free home energy-efficiency improvements.
The work offered will depend on the property and the outcome of a home assessment. Improvements can include insulation, heating systems, heat pumps and, in some cases, solar panels. Solar panels are not guaranteed, but they may be recommended if they are suitable for the home and form part of the most appropriate package of measures.
Who is eligible?
Nest is only available to households in Wales. To qualify for free home energy-efficiency improvements, you must own your home or rent privately. You must also receive a means-tested benefit or live in a low-income household.
Your home must usually have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of E, F or G. If your home has an EPC rating of D, you may still qualify if you or someone you live with has an eligible health condition. These can include respiratory conditions, circulatory conditions, mental health conditions, dementia and developmental disorders.
If your home has an EPC rating of D but no one in the household has an eligible health condition, the Welsh Government says your details may be placed on a reserve list.
How to apply
You can contact Nest directly to check whether you are eligible for free home energy-efficiency improvements. Call 0808 808 2244 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, use the online eligibility checker or request a callback through the Welsh Government website.
6. Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP)
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is an annual £8 million fund overseen by the Utility Regulator NI and delivered by local energy suppliers. It is funded through a levy on electricity bills and supports a range of energy efficiency improvements. While much of the funding focuses on insulation and heating upgrades, some suppliers also use it to subsidise solar panel installations or renewable technologies.
Who is eligible?
The programme is primarily targeted at low-income and vulnerable households, often defined as those receiving benefits or struggling with fuel poverty. However, each year’s funding round is divided into “priority” and “non-priority” groups, meaning some schemes are open to all households, regardless of income, if budget allows.
How to apply
Unlike UK-wide schemes such as ECO4, there isn’t a single central application process. Instead, households apply directly through participating energy suppliers in Northern Ireland, such as Power NI or SSE Airtricity, depending on who is running funded projects that year. The list of approved schemes and eligibility criteria is published annually on the Utility Regulator’s NISEP page. Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is advised.
7. Local council solar panel grants
Some local councils offer solar panel grants, group-buying schemes or wider home energy-efficiency support for residents. These vary by area and may be funded through national programmes, local authority budgets or regional decarbonisation funding.
In England, many councils help deliver the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which can fund energy-efficiency upgrades for low-income households. Some councils also take part in group-buying schemes such as Solar Together, which are not grants but can reduce installation costs through collective buying.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on the scheme. Council grant funding is usually aimed at low-income households, homes with poor energy-efficiency ratings, people receiving certain benefits, or residents in eligible postcode areas.
Group-buying schemes are usually open to homeowners in participating council areas. Private tenants may be able to take part if they have their landlord’s permission.
How to apply
Search your local council’s website for terms such as “solar panel grant”, “home energy grant”, “Warm Homes”, “ECO4 Flex” or “energy efficiency funding”.
If funding is available, you may need to complete an eligibility form, provide evidence of income or benefits, and allow a home energy assessment. If solar panels are suitable, they may be offered as part of a wider package of improvements rather than as a standalone grant.
Read more: My honest review of Sunsave solar panels
What is the UK’s Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the government’s wider programme to improve the energy efficiency of homes across England, with a focus on cutting bills, reducing carbon emissions and supporting households that are least able to pay for upgrades.
For solar panels, the most relevant part of the programme is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which launched in 2025 and is delivered through local authorities. It is not a universal solar panel grant. Instead, it is targeted at low-income households, people receiving certain benefits, and homes in eligible postcode areas.
To qualify, homes generally need to be in England, privately owned or privately rented, and have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. Eligible households may be able to receive fully funded or subsidised home energy improvements, which can include insulation, low-carbon heating, solar panels and, in some cases, battery storage.
The exact support available depends on your local authority and the funding it has been allocated. Some councils may offer solar panels as part of a wider package of upgrades, while others may prioritise insulation or heating improvements first. Homeowners should check their council’s website or the government’s Warm Homes eligibility checker to see whether funding is available in their area.
For many households, the key point is that the Warm Homes Plan does not currently provide a standalone grant that anyone can use to buy solar panels. But if you are on a low income, live in a less energy-efficient home, or are in an eligible area, it could be one of the most generous routes to installing solar panels with little or no upfront cost.
Can solar panel grants cover batteries?
Solar panel grants and funding schemes may cover battery storage in some cases, but this is not guaranteed. It depends on the scheme, the property assessment and whether the battery is recommended as part of a wider energy-efficiency package.
Under the Warm Homes: Local Grant, PV batteries are listed as an eligible measure, meaning they can be installed alongside solar panels where suitable. However, applicants do not usually choose individual upgrades themselves. The local authority or delivery partner will assess the home and decide which measures are appropriate.
Battery storage may also be supported under some other schemes, but the rules vary. In Scotland, for example, Home Energy Scotland says loan funding for battery storage is available to homeowners only when paired with a renewable system such as solar panels.
If you are applying for solar panel funding, ask whether battery storage is included before agreeing to any work. A battery can increase how much of your solar electricity you use at home, but it also adds to the installation cost, so it is worth comparing the grant-funded package with the cost and expected savings of installing solar panels and a battery privately.
What if I don’t qualify for a solar panel grant?
If you do not qualify for ECO4, Warm Homes or local authority funding, you may still be able to reduce the cost of solar panels through:
- 0% VAT on solar panel installations
- Group-buying schemes such as Solar Together, where available
- Green home loans or low-interest finance
- Solar panel subscription or rent-a-roof models, where suitable
- Smart Export Guarantee payments after installation
- Comparing multiple quotes from MCS-certified installers
Solar panel savings and payments after installation
Scheme or incentive
Where is it available?
Who is it for?
What could you get?
How do you apply?
0% VAT on solar panels
UK, subject to eligibility rules
Households installing qualifying energy-saving materials
A lower upfront installation cost, because eligible solar panel installations are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027
Your installer should apply the correct VAT rate to your quote
Smart Export Guarantee
Great Britain
Households with eligible solar panels who export unused electricity to the grid
Payments for surplus electricity sent back to the grid
Compare SEG tariffs from licensed energy suppliers after your system is installed
Solar Together and group-buying schemes
Selected council areas
Homeowners and sometimes small businesses in participating areas
Discounted solar panel and battery installations through collective purchasing
Register through your local Solar Together scheme, if available
Green loans or solar finance
Varies by lender
Homeowners who do not qualify for grant funding but want to spread the cost
A loan or finance plan to reduce the upfront cost of installation
Compare finance options carefully and check the total repayment cost
Solar Together and group buying schemes
Solar Together is a scheme to group-buy solar panels and batteries, keeping costs down. Solar panel providers bid for the chance to install the solar panels. It is more of a bulk discount than a grant. It is available in certain local authorities that have signed up to the scheme.
Who is eligible?
This is probably the scheme with the broadest appeal. It’s open to homeowners and tenants who have gained their landlord’s permission in council areas that are part of the scheme. It is UK-wide and can offer discounts of about a third compared to going it alone.
How to apply
Firstly, check that your council is part of the scheme. You can do that on the Solar Together website, where you can also apply.
Some councils have run the scheme in the past and then withdrawn, often due to a lack of interest. Solar Together encourages you to register your interest to show that there is demand if your local authority is not taking part.
Once you have applied, you wait until registration closes in your area. Then, solar installers are invited to bid for your work, with the cheapest winning. This is particularly useful for those who don’t want to haggle over their solar quotes.
open image in gallery0% VAT on solar installations
The UK government normally charges VAT on most goods and services, but qualifying energy-saving improvements to homes receive special treatment. In Great Britain, solar panel installations are currently eligible for 0% VAT when they are supplied and installed by a qualifying installer.
This temporary relief was introduced in 2022 and is due to run until 31 March 2027, after which the rate is scheduled to return to 5% from 1 April 2027. While it could be extended, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been looking for ways to raise money for the Treasury, and solar panels may find themselves in the firing line.
In Northern Ireland, different rules can apply, so homeowners may not always receive the full 0% rate.
Who is eligible?
In Great Britain, homeowners generally receive the relief when qualifying solar panels are installed in their home by an installer. You cannot buy the equipment yourself and claim the lower VAT rate later. In Northern Ireland, eligibility and the rate charged depend on additional conditions and how the installation costs are structured.
open image in gallerySmart Export Guarantee payments
Replacing the previous feed-in tariff, the smart export guarantee was introduced in 2020 and ensures energy companies offer a rate for homeowners to sell their unused power back to the grid.
This is particularly important since many homeowners will use more power at home in the evening, while solar panels generate most power during the day. For more on the SEG, see our in-depth guide on how the Smart Export Guarantee works.
Who is eligible?
It is available across the UK, and even if you have panels and a solar battery to use your panel-generated power later in the day, it’s important to have a good export agreement in place to get a good price for your power, since bigger homes may sell more than they use.
How to apply
The guarantee means power companies must offer a rate for selling to the grid, so there is no need to apply. But it is worth shopping around to ensure your purchased power is cheap and that you are getting a good rate when you sell, too.
open image in galleryHow we did our research
To create this guide, we analysed the full range of UK government schemes, devolved nation programmes, and local authority initiatives currently offering financial support for solar panels. We consulted official sources including Ofgem, the UK Government, the Energy Saving Trust, and devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We also spoke to accredited solar installers and reviewed advice from energy industry bodies to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. Where possible, we have linked directly to application pages so you can check eligibility and apply with confidence.
Why trust us?
The Independent has been reporting on green energy and climate matters since it was founded in 1986. Our Home Improvement team produces in-depth, impartial reviews on everything from the best solar panels to the cost of solar panel installation and the best solar panel installers in the UK. Each article is researched and fact-checked by our journalists, drawing on government data and expert interviews.
We do not accept payment to feature schemes or installers in our guides. Our aim is to give readers clear, reliable advice that helps them make informed decisions about their homes.
Q
Are there government grants for solar panels?
Yes, the ECO4 scheme offers grants and there is also support for Welsh families through the Welsh Government warm homes nest scheme.Q
Are there solar panel grants for tenants and landlords?
Yes. Tenants will have to ask landlords for their permission to access some of these schemes, but most landlords will not object to improvements being made to their homes once they understand the nature of these schemes. The ECO4 scheme offers grants for tenants, as does the Welsh Government warm homes nest scheme.Q
Can I get free solar panels?
It is possible to get free panels if you are on benefits or have a vulnerable family member living with you, such as someone with a serious health condition. The ECO4 scheme and the Welsh Government warm homes nest scheme can offer free installation for those who qualify.Q
How long does the solar panel grant process take?
Most solar funding routes aren’t a quick “apply and install” grant — they’re delivered through wider home-upgrade schemes, often via local authorities or approved installers. In practice, the process usually involves an eligibility check, evidence upload, a home survey, and then scheduling the work (sometimes alongside insulation or heating upgrades). If your application is straightforward and contractors are available, it might take a couple of months. In busy areas, or where extra measures are required, it can stretch to six months or more.Q
Who is eligible for solar panel funding?
Eligibility varies by scheme, but most solar panel grants are aimed at low-income households, people receiving certain benefits, homes with poor EPC ratings, or residents in areas covered by local authority or devolved nation programmes. The exact rules depend on the scheme. ECO4, ECO4 Flex, the Warm Homes: Local Grant, Nest in Wales and Home Energy Scotland support all have different criteria, so check the relevant scheme before applying.