Solar panel grants and help with the cost
Help with the cost of solar depends on where you live and your household circumstances. Start with the official service for your part of the UK.
Where do you live?
England
The Warm Homes: Local Grant can help eligible households improve their homes. Solar panels may be included after a council assessment.
Scotland
Home Energy Scotland offers advice and a funding finder. Ask what support is available for your circumstances and planned work.
Wales
The Nest scheme offers advice and may provide eligible homes with energy improvements, including solar panels.
Northern Ireland
Check nidirect’s energy-saving grants for available help and whether it covers the work you want.
Warm Homes: Local Grant in England
This can help people in privately owned or privately rented homes with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G. Household income is usually £36,000 or less, although some benefits and postcode conditions can also qualify.
Your council checks eligibility, surveys the property and agrees suitable improvements, subject to funding. Ask whether solar is appropriate for your home; meeting the initial conditions does not automatically mean panels will be fitted.
ECO4 in England, Scotland and Wales
ECO4 supports energy improvements for some households and runs until 31 December 2026. Participating energy suppliers decide which projects they can fund after household and property checks.
You can ask a participating supplier about support even if it does not supply your electricity. See our ECO4 guide for where to start.
If you rent from a council or housing association
Ask your landlord whether your home is included in an energy-improvement programme. The landlord normally arranges the work and decides which properties are included.
What about VAT and loans?
Qualifying installed solar panels and batteries can receive 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. This can reduce the price, but you still pay for the installation. Read our VAT guide.
A loan must be repaid, even if it has a low or zero interest rate. If finance is offered, ask for the total repayment amount and the terms before deciding.
Before sharing your details
Ask for the exact scheme name and check it on the official government, council or energy-supplier website. Find out who arranges the work, whether you pay anything and who will own the panels.
Our grant checklist helps you check an offer.