Government Solar Panel Scheme for UK Homeowners
An independent guide, not a government website. In 2026 two government-backed routes can still pay towards solar for eligible homes: ECO4, funded by energy suppliers until 31 December 2026, and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, run by councils in England.
ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026
This site is an independent guide and holds no installer accreditation. Before you sign with any installer, check the company on these registers:
The UK Government Solar Panel Scheme Explained
There is no single "government solar panel scheme". The phrase covers a handful of government-backed routes, each run by a different body, with its own rules. In 2026 these are the ones that can pay towards solar panels on a home:
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation). Large and medium energy suppliers fund energy-efficiency work for low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households. Ofgem says ECO4 will run until 31 December 2026. It is not a grant: the supplier decides which measures to fund and how much, and you may be asked to contribute. You contact an energy supplier or your council; there is no single application form.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (England only). Councils arrange and pay for upgrades such as insulation, air source heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels. The home must be privately owned (by you or your landlord) with an EPC of D to G, and household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less. You apply through gov.uk and the council contacts you if it has funding.
0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee. Installing solar panels in a home carries 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Under the Smart Export Guarantee, licensed suppliers must offer a rate above 0p for the electricity you export.
The Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own routes, set out on the area pages.
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!
Thank you. Your answers are saved and we reply by email. This site is an independent guide, not a government body, and we do not pass your details to installers. In England you can also apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant through gov.uk or your council.
Explore Available GrantsBenefits of the Government Solar Panel Scheme
There is no single government solar panel scheme. These are the parts of the picture that apply to most homes in 2026.
Reduce Energy Bills
Every unit you use from your own panels is a unit you do not buy from the grid. Savings depend on your roof and how much you use at home.
Government Funding
ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026 and is funded by energy suppliers. In England, councils run the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Neither is open to every household.
0% VAT to March 2027
Installing solar panels in a home carries 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. The rate goes back to 5% from 1 April 2027.
Paid for What You Export
Under the Smart Export Guarantee, licensed suppliers must offer a rate above 0p for electricity you export. Each supplier sets its own rate.
Energy Independence
Generate your own clean electricity and reduce reliance on fluctuating energy prices.
25+ Year Lifespan
Modern solar panels are durable and efficient, providing decades of clean energy.
Does the Government Fund Solar Panels?
Sometimes, for some homes. Government policy pays towards solar in two ways: schemes that fund the work for eligible households, and tax and export rules that lower the cost for everyone else.
If someone in your home gets a qualifying benefit and your home has a poor EPC rating, ECO4 may fund measures until 31 December 2026, and the supplier's retrofit assessment decides whether solar panels are one of them. In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant can include solar panels where your council has funding and your household meets the income or benefit test.
If neither fits, there is no government scheme that pays for the panels. You still pay 0% VAT on the installation until 31 March 2027, and you can be paid for exported electricity under the Smart Export Guarantee, provided the installer and equipment are MCS certified.
Be wary of cold calls that name "the government scheme". Government bodies do not sell solar panels door to door, and ECO4 measures are only agreed once you have a contract.
How The Scheme Works
How the government-backed routes work, and where this site fits in.
Check Eligibility
Complete our simple eligibility checker to see if your property qualifies for government solar panel schemes.
Find the Right Route
ECO4 goes through an energy supplier or your council. In England the Warm Homes: Local Grant goes through gov.uk and your council. The scheme arranges any survey.
Grant Application
You apply to the supplier, council or scheme, never to this site. We reply by email to your answers and we do not pass your details to installers.
Installation
Domestic installations typically take 1-2 days. Check the installing company on the MCS register before work starts: MCS certification is required for Smart Export Guarantee payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the government solar panel scheme and the installation process.
What is the government solar panel scheme?
There is no single scheme with that name. The phrase covers the government-backed routes that can pay towards solar panels: ECO4, funded by energy suppliers and running until 31 December 2026; the Warm Homes: Local Grant, run by councils in England; 0% VAT on installing solar until 31 March 2027; and the Smart Export Guarantee for exported electricity.
Who is eligible for government help with solar panels?
For ECO4, someone in the home usually gets a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, and an owner-occupied home needs an EPC of D to G. ECO4 is not a grant: the supplier decides what to fund and you may be asked to contribute. For the Warm Homes: Local Grant in England, household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less and the EPC D to G.
How much can I save with solar panels?
It depends on how much of the electricity you use at home, your roof and your tariff, so ask for a written estimate for your own roof. Savings depend on factors like your energy usage, location, solar panel system size, and the direction your roof faces. Additionally, you may earn money from selling excess electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee.
How long does the installation process take?
Most residential solar panel installations take 1-2 days to complete, depending on the system size and roof complexity. The entire process from application to installation typically takes 2-6 weeks, including survey, design approval, and scheduling.
Do solar panels work in the UK climate?
Yes, solar panels work effectively in the UK climate. They don't need direct sunlight to generate electricity, just daylight. Although they produce more electricity on sunny days, modern solar panels are efficient enough to generate significant power even on cloudy days. The UK receives enough daylight throughout the year to make solar panels a worthwhile investment.
How do I maintain solar panels?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance. They're designed to be self-cleaning with rainfall, though occasional cleaning (1-2 times a year) may improve efficiency. Most reputable installers provide a maintenance package including system monitoring, regular checks, and cleaning services. Solar panels typically come with a 25-year performance warranty.
Still have questions about the government solar panel scheme?
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