Solar panel grants

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Solar panel grants: Available UK schemes in 2024

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You could get free solar panels with the ECO4 grant

Solar panels can reduce your annual bills by more than £1,000

Zero per cent VAT on solar panels can save you almost £2,000 on a 4.5kW system with a battery

By applying for a solar panel grant, you could receive heavily discounted or even free solar panels, resulting in annual energy bill savings upwards of £1,100. We recently conducted a survey of over 1,540 Independent readers who own solar panels* to understand how they made the most of the solar panel funding available to them. And almost four in five respondents (79.40 per cent) said solar panel grants were an important part of their decision to go green.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how you can minimise your solar panel costs, whether that’s through ECO4, a solar panel government grant, the Smart Export Guarantee, or one of the UK’s other solar panel funding schemes.

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We regularly update our solar panel funding information based on the latest announcements from government and financial organisations. Last updated 30 October 2024.

UK government grants and schemes for solar panels

UK solar panel grant or schemePotential savingsWhere can I get the grant?EligibilityRun time
Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) inc LA FlexHouseholds could receive free solar panels, new boilers, air source heat pumps and insulation as part of an overall home energy upgradeEngland, Scotland and WalesPeople on eligible benefits, low-income households, and households with people vulnerable to the cold April 2022 to March 2026
Solar TogetherSavings vary between 10 and 25%EnglandHomeowners and renters living in a participating council areaOngoing
Home Upgrade Scheme (HUG2)Local authority dependent, can be in excess of £18,000EnglandLow-income and off-grid households, as well as low energy efficiency–rated propertiesApril 2023 to March 2025
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)1-40p per kWh of excess electricity produced by solar panelsEngland, Scotland and WalesHomes with a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate or equivalent document. Installation must include an export meter and have a maximum capacity of 5MWOngoing
Zero per cent VATSavings dependent on solar panels cost UK-wideSolar panel purchases and installations made in England, Scotland,  Wales or Northern Ireland April 2022 to March 2027
Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest SchemeHouseholds could receive free solar panelsWalesWelsh households receiving income-related benefits and properties with low energy–performance ratingsOngoing

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What is ECO4?

  • Who is eligible: most people receiving some form of government benefits
  • Application deadline: March 2026
  • What does the grant cover: up to 100 per cent of solar panel installation costs

ECO4 is a government grant managed by Ofgem which places an obligation on medium-to-large energy providers to make energy-efficient upgrades accessible to vulnerable, low-income families living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.

Can I get free solar panels with ECO4?

An ECO4 grant may entitle you to free solar panels as part of wider energy efficiency improvements for your home including boilers, heat pumps and insulation measures. More than 17 per cent of Independent readers who own solar panels took advantage of an ECO4 grant when installing their system*.

Who is eligible for an ECO4 grant?

The ECO scheme has gone through several phases, each with slight differences in focus and eligibility criteria. Currently in its fourth phase, you could qualify for ECO4 funding if you receive any of the following benefits:

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credits
  • Pension Credits (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit)

You could be eligible for ECO4 if you receive other benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions, regardless of whether you receive Universal Credit.

The ECO4 grant mainly focuses on owner-occupied homes. That said, if you’re a landlord with private tenants, you can apply for ECO4 on behalf of tenants who receive any of the benefits above. Similarly, you may also be eligible if you live in social housing. 

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How to apply for the ECO4 grant

Applying for an ECO4 grant is quick and straightforward; you have to apply directly through the solar panel installers who provide the grant. The application process generally follows the same timeline, no matter which installer you choose.

  1. After completing an online application form, you’ll receive a phone call from the installer to answer simple questions
  2. The installer will then carry out a data check, confirming what benefits you are on and your home’s EPC rating
  3. Once you’ve successfully passed these, an assessor will book a home visit to evaluate your property 
  4. The results of the home assessment will be submitted to the installer 
  5. Once you approve it, the installer will arrange a convenient time to start your project

What is LA Flex?

The Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex), also known as ECO Flex, is an extension of the ECO4 scheme. Under this initiative, local authorities decide on household’s eligibility for energy efficiency measures and award them to those that may not have qualified under the national criteria. Eligibility criteria may include the following:

  • The household being defined as low income and at risk of fuel poverty
  • The property is difficult to heat – usually due to poor insulation or the absence of a central heating system
  • The residents are vulnerable in some way – for example if they are elderly, people with disabilities or those caring for young children

Private tenants can qualify under LA Flex with their landlords’ permission. If you’re eligible, you could be entitled to up to 100 per cent off the cost of your solar panels.

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Hear from an ECO4 grant recipient

Sarah Blyth lives in Whitstable, Kent, with her two children. Her home had an EPC rating of E, and she receives Universal Credit, which includes Housing Benefit and Child Tax Credit. She talked us through her journey to getting free solar panels.

 

“I was surprised by how simple it was. I applied online, and the same day I got a call back from the installer to say I had been pre-approved for ECO4 funding. I had to answer a few more questions – all very easy – and, later the same week, got told my home assessment was booked.

 

“They looked around my house, including the loft, and explained that to take my house from its EPC rating of E to C, I could have insulation, a boiler upgrade and solar panels. It wouldn’t cost me anything, nor affect my benefits, so of course I said yes.

 

“Within a month, all the work was done! The house is warmer, all the condensation has gone and, thanks to the new solar panels, my electricity bills are almost zero. If you are living in a cold, damp house – like we were – apply for ECO4.”

Q&A with Kevin Henney, Director at ECO4 Hub

To get a better understanding of how the ECO4 grant process works, we spoke with Kevin Henney, director at ECO4 Hub.

Independent Advisor (IA): First, please tell us a little about yourself and your role.

Kevin Henney ECO4 Hub DirectorECO4 Hub Director Kevin Henney: I currently serve as Director at ECO4 Hub. I’m responsible for managing and overseeing all the activities related to the ECO4 grant programme. This includes reviewing grant applications, coordinating with local authorities and ensuring the smooth and efficient installation of energy-efficient systems for our clients.

IA:  How many grants have been approved over the past 12 months? And have you seen an increase in grant applications during that period?

Henney: Over the past six months, we’ve successfully finished over 60 installations and have more than 100 slated for the near future.

Over the last year, we’ve observed a significant uptick in grant applications. This surge can be attributed to the rising cost of living and energy and increased awareness about the grant.

IA: Can you give us some idea of how much money successful applicants are typically granted? Is there a range or an average amount you can share?

Henney: The amount awarded per grant varies greatly depending on the work required for each property. Our goal under the regulations is to maximise energy efficiency.

We’ve dealt with diverse projects, from single-measure installations, such as a boiler replacement worth £5,000, to comprehensive energy makeovers involving internal wall insulation, loft insulation, an upgrade to an air source heat pump and the installation of solar panels, with a total value exceeding £80,000.

IA: How long does it generally take for an applicant to get their grant approved?

Henney: The approval time for a grant depends on a few factors, but there are two main routes that can be followed:

  • Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation: this applies to individuals on eligible benefits. This process is quicker, and once the benefits are verified, we can proceed to the survey and installation, which could take less than a week
  • LA Flex: the local council determines the criteria for this process. Some councils have additional routes, such as a combined household income below £31,000 per annum or a householder suffering from an illness that worsens in cold weather. This process can take a few weeks, as the council needs to approve the proposed work

IA: Once a grant has been approved, what are the next steps for the homeowner? How long does it take from approval to solar panel installation?

Henney: Once a grant is approved and the client confirms they’re happy with the proposed work, we can proceed to installation. In some cases, we’ve even completed installations within the same week of approval.

IA: Are there any frequent mistakes people make when applying that can slow down the grant approval process?

Henney: The most common issues that can delay the process include incorrect spelling of the applicant’s name and not having the necessary documentation for local authority approval, such as a council tax bill. Paying attention to these details is essential to ensure a smooth application process.

IA: What documents are applicants required to submit when applying for the ECO4 grant?

Henney: If you receive benefits, you must sign a consent form, which the Energy Saving Trust verifies, and provide a copy of a utility bill. If you apply under the LA Flex criteria, you’ll need your council tax bill, ID and proof that the annual household income is under £31,000. This evidence may be in the form of a pension statement, three months’ payslips and bank statements or a P60 dated in the last six months.

Other solar panel grants and schemes

Solar Together

What is it?

Solar Together is a community buying scheme for solar panels which operates in the UK’s local council regions. The scheme aims to bring together households and local authorities to make solar power more accessible and affordable for homeowners and small businesses. Panels bought through Solar Together are typically between 10 and 25 per cent cheaper than market price. 

Our recent survey found that 28.91 per cent of Independent readers who received solar panel funding to buy solar panels used the Solar Together scheme*. 

Who is eligible?

Homeowners and renters in participating council areas are eligible for Solar Together. 

Application deadline

The application period for Solar Together is ongoing, but varies by council. 

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How to apply for the Solar Together scheme

  1. Check if you live in a participating council area on the Solar Together website
  2. Register your interest online (without any obligation to buy)
  3. An auction will take place where vetted solar installers bid to provide the best price for a group of potential buyers
  4. You’ll receive a personalised quote from the winning installer
  5. The installer will then arrange a survey of your home before scheduling your installation
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Hear from a satisfied Solar Together customer

Tim from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire had 10 panels installed through Solar Together, as well as battery storage capacity, enabling him to use generated electricity efficiently, reducing reliance on grid-supplied power. He’s saved £405 in the first year alone, alongside the ability to sell back surplus energy to the grid – earning an additional £167.

 

Here’s what he had to say about the process: “It was really easy. The process came together smoothly from the start, and the installers were very professional. Although there was an upfront cost for the panels, the investment has paid off.”

Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2

What is it?

The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) scheme has been running since April 2023 and will continue to accept applications until March 2025. It supports low-income families with awards of up to £10,000 for solar panels and other energy-efficient home improvements.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

  • Reside in a domestic off-gas-grid dwelling with an EPC rating of D or lower
  • Have a combined gross annual income of under £36,000 (this must be verified), or receive certain income-related benefits such as Universal Credit
  • Be living in an economically deprived neighbourhood based on data drawn from the index of multiple deprivation

If you’re a landlord with low-income tenants, you must own a maximum of four properties and be willing to contribute one third of total upgrade costs.

Application deadline: 

The HUG 2 scheme comes to an end in March 2025.

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How to apply for the HUG 2 scheme

  1. Check whether your local council offers the HUG 2 scheme
  2. If you’re a homeowner, you can apply directly through your local council website. If you live in private rented accommodation, your landlord must submit the application
  3. The local council will then contact you to check your eligibility 

The Smart Export Guarantee

What is it?

Introduced by the UK government on 1 January 2020, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) replaced the Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme. It allows solar panel owners to sell the excess energy they generate back to the grid. The rate you are paid for your excess energy ranges from 1p per kilowatt hour (kWh), to 40p per kWh (if you meet the supplier’s eligibility requirements).

Applicants must have an export meter and an MCS certificate or equivalent document for their solar system to guarantee the quality of the installation. Including a solar storage battery with your system isn’t a requirement to qualify for the SEG, but it is beneficial in order to accumulate more energy.

More than half (57.45 per cent) of Independent readers with solar panels export their excess energy using SEG*, a number that jumps significantly if they have a solar battery installed.

Who is eligible?

Homes with solar panels or wind turbines, an export meter and a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate are eligible to apply for a SEG tariff.

Application deadline

There is no deadline to apply for SEG tariffs. 

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How to apply for the SEG scheme

  1. You must have had your solar panels installed by an MCS-accredited installer to access regulated SEG tariffs
  2. Shop around to make sure you get the best deal. You can find a list of participating SEG suppliers on Ofgem’s website. Your SEG supplier can be different to your existing energy provider
  3. You can then apply directly to an energy supplier offering a SEG tariff.
  4. As you would with your normal energy provider, always compare SEG tariffs when yours ends to find the best deal

Zero per cent VAT

What is it?

In the UK, the value added tax (VAT) rate on most goods and services is 20 per cent. However, as part of the government’s efforts to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, certain energy-saving materials and equipment, including the best solar panels, qualify for a reduced VAT rate.

That amounts to a significant saving. For instance, the average 4.5kW system costs £7,100 for the panels and installation. If you had to pay VAT, that’d jump to £8,520, so in this case, zero per cent VAT is saving you £1,420. 

Who is eligible?

All UK homes looking to purchase solar panels.  

Application deadline

Until 31 March 2027, this reduced rate is set to zero per cent. From 1 April 2027, it will return to a reduced rate of five per cent. 

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How to apply for zero per cent VAT

There’s no need to apply for the zero per cent VAT scheme; your solar panel provider should automatically take care of it.

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Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme

What is it? 

The Welsh government’s Warm Homes Nest scheme offers free advice and funding for improving residential energy efficiency. Eligible households may qualify for free home improvements, including solar panel installation.

Despite its regional scope, Nest was the second most popular solar panel scheme among Independent readers*. Almost a fifth (18.48 per cent) of solar panel owners we surveyed* who used an incentive scheme benefited from Nest funding. 

Who is eligible?

You could be eligible for free solar panels if you meet these three criteria:

  • You own or privately rent your home
  • You have poor energy efficiency and high heating bills
  • You receive a means-tested benefit or have a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition

Application deadline

There is currently no deadline to apply for the Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme.

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How to apply for the Nest scheme

  1. Call Nest on 0808 808 2244, from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
  2. An advisor will talk you through how you can lower your energy bills, and whether you’re eligible for free home energy efficiency improvements.
  3. If you’re eligible, they will recommend a package of improvements tailored to your needs.

The latest solar panel grant news

Our team of solar experts are standing by for announcements from the Labour government on its Warm Homes Plan[1] and the formation of GB Energy.[2] 

This plan aims to upgrade every home that needs it to EPC standard C within a decade, dedicating £6.6bn to improve 5 million homes. Details of grants and low-interest loans have yet to be announced, but as soon as they are, we will let you know what’s available, who’s eligible and how to apply.

Alternative solar panel funding

Several other organisations offer incentives to help UK homeowners finance solar panel installations.

SchemeRun timeEligibilityPotential savings
Barclays Greener Home RewardOngoingFirst-time claimers with a Barclays residential mortgage who pay by direct debit£1,000
Effective Home Energy ShieldOngoingAll UK homeowners (as long as your roof is suitable), including landlordsSubscription service where you buy solar energy without owning the panels
Otovo solar subscriptionOngoingNew Otovo customersSubscription service where you can spread the cost of purchasing solar panels over a period as long as 20 years
Sunsave Plus subscriptionOngoingHomeowners in England and WalesSubscription service with fixed monthly payments to spread the cost of purchasing solar panels
Unbound Energy SunFlex subscriptionOngoingHomeowners in England and Wales (including landlords)Subscription service where you pay a monthly fee to receive solar energy, with option to purchase panels outright
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan SchemeOngoingAll homeowners in ScotlandLoan funding for solar thermal panels and hybrid solar PV/water heating
Parity Trust loanOngoingLow income households, self-employed individuals or those with poor credit history. There is no upper age limit to applyLoans in partnership with local authorities

Barclays Greener Home Reward

What is it?

Barclays launched the Greener Home Reward scheme as part of its commitment to encouraging energy-efficient home improvements. The scheme involves a £1,000 cash payment for its UK residential mortgage customers to reward them for solar panel systems they have installed and paid for in full. To ensure that the solar installations are high quality, Barclays requires that they be carried out by businesses registered with TrustMark.

Who is eligible?

You’re eligible for the Barclays Greener Home Reward if you:

  • have an eligible Barclays residential mortgage
  • pay for your mortgage by direct debit
  • are up to date with all your payments
  • have had a solar panel installation carried out by a Trustmark-registered business
  • have proof of payments or work dated within three months of your claim

How to apply for the Barclays Greener Home Reward

You can apply on Barclays’ website – the process is quick and easy. If you have any questions, you can also phone Barclays.


Effective Home Energy Shield

What is it?

If you want to benefit from solar energy, without the upfront cost of installing panels, you could consider Effective Home’s Energy Shield. With this scheme, you won’t own the solar panels on your roof, nor will you be responsible for their upkeep. 

Instead, you’ll simply pay a £99 onboarding fee, and then purchase the electricity generated by the system from Effective Home, at a pence per kilowatt (kW) unit rate that should be lower than the national average you’d pay for your energy. This tariff will be fixed, and is reviewed every five years. 

Who is eligible?

All UK homeowners, including landlords, alongside local authorities and social housing organisations seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. 

How to apply for Effective Home Energy Shield

To apply for Effective Home’s Energy Shield, you will need to register your interest with the installer via its website. Effective Home will then be in contact as soon as possible to arrange a survey to assess your property’s suitability.


Otovo solar subscription

What is it?

With Otovo’s subscription service, you don’t need to make an upfront payment to benefit from solar energy. Instead, you pay a monthly fee,  spreading the cost of purchasing and installing your solar panels over up to 20 years. You still have the option to buy the solar panel system at any point during that period. You can also include a battery, which has a contract length of 10 years. 

How much you pay each month will depend on the size of your solar system you have installed. Therefore, so too will the amount you are paying each month versus the amount you save on your energy bills. You can also still sell any excess energy you generate using SEG.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners who register their interest with Otovo. 

How to apply for an Otovo solar subscription

You can get a free quote for Otovo’s solar subscription service by putting in your postcode on the installer’s website.


Sunsave Plus subscription

What is it?

Like Otovo, Sunsave Plus offers a subscription service where you pay off the cost of purchasing and installing your solar panels (including a battery as standard) on a monthly basis. Despite the fact the payment period can last as long as 20 years, Sunsave states that you own your panels from day one 

There are no upfront fees or deposits, and you can fully pay-off your panels at any point without incurring early repayment penalties. And Sunsave Plus comes with a 20-year guarantee that includes 24/7 performance monitoring, insurance from Aviva and free battery and inverter replacement. You can also export your excess energy using a SEG tariff.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners in England and Wales who register their interest with Sunsave. You can have up to two applicants. The lead applicant must be the owner of the property, and at least one application has to be between 18 and 60 years old. 

How to apply for Sunsave Plus

To apply for Sunsave Plus, you’ll need to first fill out the installer’s online questionnaire to get a free quote and a savings estimate. 


Unbound Energy SunFlex subscription

What is it?

Solar installer Unbound Energy offers its own solar panel and storage battery subscription service, SunFlex, which starts £60 a month with no upfront cost.

Unbound Energy takes care of installing the solar panels on your roof. You then benefit from the energy bill savings, minus your monthly subscription fee, without owning the panels. You’ll also benefit from any SEG payments you make. Remote monitoring, free repairs, insurance and downtime cover are all included in your monthly fee.

Subscription terms start from as little as three years – at the end of the subscription, you can either renew or have the panels removed. The subscription can also be transferred to your property’s new owner if you sell your home. 

If you want to own the system, you can buy it from Unbound Energy at any time. The cost of this purchase will be shared with you when you sign up for your subscription. Alternatively, if you are subscribed for 30 years, Unbound Energy will ‘gift’ you the system, unless you want a new one installed. 

Who is eligible?

Homeowners in England and Wales. You’ll need to be the owner of the property in question at the time of installation, and pass Unbound Energy’s credit check. There is also a version of SunFlex for landlords and tenants that allows both to benefit from solar energy savings. 

How to apply for Unbound Energy SunFlex

You can fill out Unbound Energy’s savings estimate form to find out how much you could reduce your bills by, and if you are eligible for SunFlex.


Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme

What is it?

While the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme no longer gives out grants for solar panels, you can still apply for a loan worth £5,000. This loan is designed for the installation of solar thermal panels, which generate heated water rather than electricity, or hybrid solar PV/water heating systems, which generate both hot water and electricity. This does mean, however, that you can’t get a loan for standard solar PV panels.  

Who is eligible?

Homeowners in Scotland, where the property is your only or primary private residence. 

How to apply for the Home Energy Scotland and Loan Scheme

To apply for a Home Energy Scotland loan, you’ll either need to contact the scheme on 0808 808 2282 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays), or complete the online self-assessment form.


Parity Trust loan

What is it?

Working in partnership with various local authorities, the Parity Trust offers secured loans to fund energy-efficient home upgrades such as solar panels. The loans come with a fixed interest rate for the entire payback period. 

Who is eligible?

The Parity Trust loan is designed to help those who are self-employed, have a negative credit history, live in a low-income household, receive benefits or are retired. You will need to pass Parity Trust’s financial review and credit checks when applying. 

How to apply for the Parity Trust loan

You can apply for a Parity Trust loan on the organisation’s website. You’ll need to provide your name, address, and reason for the loan. This initial step won’t affect your credit score. 

What help is available for residents of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales?

Although there aren’t many grants for solar panels in Scotland, Scottish residents can take advantage of programmes such as the Home Energy Grant and Loan Scheme and ECO4. If you’re looking for a Welsh government grant for solar panels, the Warm Homes Nest scheme offers free advice, and eligible homeowners could receive financial assistance for solar panel installation. While there are no specific grants for solar panels in Northern Ireland, homeowners can still save on the initial cost of solar system installation thanks to the zero VAT scheme and the Barclays Greener Home Reward.

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How to avoid scam schemes for solar panels

Our experts conducted extensive research into the various funding schemes and government grants for solar panels and found several websites that claimed to offer government-backed funding. However, on further investigation, they discovered that those websites are not linked to any official programmes. To protect yourself from these sorts of scams and ensure you apply for legitimate, beneficial government grants, be sure to follow these simple steps:

 

  • Be wary of unsolicited offers: exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited calls or emails offering solar incentives. Government agencies typically don’t call homeowners directly
  • Seek official websites: check official government or grant websites to confirm that any offers purportedly related to their schemes are genuine
  • Verify identities: confirm the identity of any company claiming to offer government grants or free solar panels if you suspect they’re fraudulent operations. Representatives of legitimate businesses should be happy to provide you with official documentation
  • Contact authorities: contact the relevant government departments or consumer protection agencies for advice concerning the legitimacy of any company or offer you’re considering

Expired solar panel grants and schemes

Several UK solar panels grants have recently expired. In most cases, the schemes had fixed durations or budgetary limits – once a certain date was reached or the available funding ran out, the grant was closed to new applicants. The following are some examples of recently expired schemes:

UK expired grantExpiration dateEligibilityPotential savings
Free Solar Panel SchemeExpired March 2019All homeowners
Fully free solar panel system (in exchange for your installer receiving all FIT payments)
Feed-in TariffExpired 1 April 2019 (those registered before this date will continue to benefit for the remainder of the 20-year period they signed up for)Owners of solar panels, wind turbines and micro combined heat and power systemsGeneration tariff of 6.38p-13.88p per kWh; export tariff of 4.77p per unit
Green Homes GrantExpired 31 March 2021All homeowners in EnglandUp to two-thirds of the total cost (maximum of £5,000) or up to 100 per cent (maximum of £10,000) for those on qualifying benefits
Renewable Heat IncentiveExpired 31 March 2022Owners of biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal collectorsUp to £2,981

Feed-in Tariff

The UK government created the FiT scheme to encourage the uptake of a range of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation measures.

With this scheme, homeowners who installed sustainable electricity systems – such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydroelectric power – could receive payments from their energy supplier. Payments were based on the amount of electricity the homeowners generated and used themselves as well as any excess energy fed to the National Grid.

Although the scheme closed to new applicants in March 2019, existing contracts continue to be honoured for a maximum of 20 years. The FIT scheme has been replaced by the SEG scheme.

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Solar panel grants FAQs

Several solar panel grants are available to households in the UK, for example the ECO4 and the SEG schemes, allowing more people to benefit from the advantages of solar panels. Local authorities in England and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also offer a range of grants, loans and schemes to aid solar panel installation.

Solar panel grants may close for a variety of reasons, one of them being finite government resources. If a grant or scheme is deemed to be badly managed, have low uptake or poor results, it may be scrapped by the government. At the moment, solar panel costs are significantly cheaper than they were 10 years ago, so market forces alone are sufficient to encourage solar adoption, so the government may not treat solar subsidies as a priority.

Since the Labour government was elected on 5 July 2024, there are likely to be changes when it comes to government funding available for solar panels. While the new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s “solar rooftop revolution” promise does not mention of specific grants and schemes, it’s very likely that Labour will endeavour to make it easier for households to benefit from solar energy.[3]

Grants for solar panels are generally available to homeowners, landlords and sometimes tenants. Eligibility for these grants depends on factors such as income, property type and location. 

Pensioners may be eligible for grants or subsidies for solar panel installations. Eligibility criteria depends on factors such as income, property location and energy rating. Pensioners should enquire with local authorities and energy providers about specific programmes and grants that may be available to help with solar panel installations.

While there are no specific schemes that provide free solar panels for recipients of personal independence payment initiatives such as ECO4 offer free or partially-funded solar panel installations to low-income households, including those who receive various means-tested benefits.

Eligibility criteria for different solar panel grants vary significantly, but they often require the recipient to reside in a specific area, not exceed a certain income threshold or inhabit a property with a low energy-efficiency rating. Before applying, check grant administrators’ websites to ensure you understand and meet all criteria to avoid wasted effort.

Sources

*The Independent Advisor, survey of 1,544 Independent readers who own solar panels, June 2024.
[1] Labour.org.uk, Make Britain a clean energy superpower.
[2] Open Access Government, UK Government to quadruple solar power investment through GB Energy initiative, July 2024.
[3] The Guardian, Labour’s ‘rooftop revolution’ to deliver solar power to millions of UK homes, July 2024.

Katharine Allison

Energy Saving Writer

As Independent Advisor’s energy saving expert, Katharine, a keen advocate for sustainability, is an authority on solar panels, double glazing, and cutting-edge renewable energy technologies. Her dedication merges with a commitment to enlighten and steer readers toward embracing eco-friendly solutions and the latest trends in sustainability.

With over 10 years of experience, she has worked with some of the UK’s leading companies and publications, including the Federation of Master Builders, Architectural Digest, and Denon Construction. 

Katharine is particularly passionate about consumer causes and animal welfare and has art, philosophy, and psychology degrees. She lives with her sled dogs in East Sussex.

Connor Campbell new profile April 2024

Connor Campbell

Senior Finance Writer

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet, Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror, the Daily Express and Business Insider

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, Reuters and the Evening Standard

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.