UK Solar panel grants and support - from funding to free panels
Local and UK-wide incentives are aimed at helping make the switch to solar easy.
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Thanks to government grants and schemes, investing in solar panels has become even easier.
Save up to £800 a year
Installing solar panels can drastically reduce your electricity bills – and your reliance on the grid.
This means you'll have extra support in your journey towards using renewable energy to power your home.
Given that the panels will help you save up to £800 a year on bills, free or heavily subsidised solar installation is a no-brainer.
A trusted local installer will have more information on the available support for solar panels in your area.
Government grants and support at a glance
UK-wide
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Get paid for excess electricity sent to the grid. Payment rates vary by energy provider.
- Zero VAT on domestic solar installations until 2027
- Solar Together: A group-buying scheme run by some councils
England
- ECO4 Scheme: Free solar panels for low-income households on certain benefits.
- LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility): Some councils allow you to qualify for free panels even if you don't meet ECO4 eligibility.
- Council grants: Some local authorities offer grants. Use Simple Energy Advice to check what's available in your area.
Scotland
- Home Energy Scotland: Grants of £7,500 (or £9,000 in rural areas) plus interest-free loans to fully finance solar panels.
- Funding can also be used for battery storage if installed at the same time.
- The ECO4 scheme is also available in Scotland.
Wales
- Nest Scheme: Offers free solar panels for eligible low-income households.
- ECO4 Scheme is also available in Wales.
- Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP): Funds solar for social housing.
Northern Ireland
- NI Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP): May cover solar panels for some households.
- Additional support may be available through Energy Saving Trust NI or NIE Networks.
- Note: The SEG scheme does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Speaking with a certified installer will shed light on how to apply for support, as specific grants and funding will be subject to application and must be applied for before installation.
Free solar panels through UK government schemes
The main government scheme for free solar panels is the ECO4 scheme, which is available across England, Wales and Scotland.
To qualify for ECO4, you must be a homeowner or private tenant living in a home with a poor energy efficiency rating.
You also need to be receiving one or more means-tested benefits.
In some cases, councils offer more flexible criteria for free panels under the LA Flex scheme.
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Free or subsidised solar panels means a quick or immediate return on investment.
Don't miss out - get in touch with local installers now
Zero per cent VAT on solar panel installations is only slated to last until 2027, while other incentives are heavily subject to availability and funding.
Therefore, you mustn't miss out on your chance to save on solar panels.
We can help make access to solar panel schemes easier by putting you in touch with local solar panel installers.
Our service is free and non-binding, and consumer organisation Which? recommends getting quotes from three different providers before choosing what's best for you.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between solar panel grants and funding?
Grants are non-repayable contributions that reduce or fully cover the cost of installing solar panels — like the ECO4 or Nest schemes.
Funding is a broader term that includes grants but also covers options like interest-free loans, group-buy discounts, or VAT relief.
Both make solar more affordable, but grants typically offer direct financial help up front.
How do I check if I’m eligible for a solar panel grant?
Eligibility depends on where you live, your household income, and whether you receive certain benefits.
For example, schemes like ECO4 and Nest are aimed at low-income households or those with health conditions made worse by cold homes.
To check what’s available in your area, you can speak to a certified solar installer or use government-backed tools like Simple Energy Advice, Home Energy Scotland or NI Direct.
What is the SEG scheme?
The SEG is a government-backed scheme that pays homeowners for the surplus electricity their solar panels generate and export to the National Grid.
To qualify, your solar system must be MCS certified, and you need a smart meter capable of recording half-hourly export data.
Rates vary depending on the supplier and tariff you choose, so compare options to find the best deal.
About Solarenergy.co.uk
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Save time researching suppliers yourself - we bring installers directly to you, so you can choose the solution that's best for your home.
