November 2026
Solar Panel Grants and Funding Explained
Find out which solar panel grants, loans, and savings you could get in England, Scotland, and Wales, and how to apply.
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Solar panels can cut your electricity bills, but the upfront cost can be a lot. The good news is there's help available. What you can get depends on where you live, your income, and whether you own your home.
Here's what's available now in England, Scotland, and Wales, and how to apply.
Is There a Grant for Solar Panels?
Yes, for some homes. If you’re on a lower income, you might be eligible to get solar panels fitted at no cost through a government scheme. These grants are for homes in England and Wales with a low energy rating.
If you don't qualify for a grant, there's still help with the cost:
- low-interest Warm Homes loans for homeowners across the UK, which you can get through So Energy
- no VAT on solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027
- payments for the spare energy you send to the grid
Solar Panel Grants and Funding at a Glance
- Warm Homes, Local Grant: England. For lower-income homes with an energy rating of D to G. Runs until 2028.
- Energy Company Obligation: England, Scotland, and Wales. For lower-income homes. Ends 31 December 2026.
- Warm Homes Nest: Wales. For lower-income homes and some people with health conditions.
- Warmer Homes Scotland: Scotland. For homes that struggle to stay warm. Solar panels are sometimes included.
- Warm Homes Loan Scheme: UK-wide. Low-interest loans for homeowners. You can get one through So Energy. More information below.
- 0% VAT: Everyone, until 31 March 2027 at the earliest.
- Smart Export Guarantee: Anyone with a certified solar system. Get paid for energy you export. If you get solar with us, we pay 20p per kWh in the first year.
Warm Homes: Local Grant, England
This is the main solar grant in England. It's run by local councils and paid for by the Government. It replaced the Home Upgrade Grant, which closed in March 2025.
If you're eligible and your council has funding, they'll arrange a home survey. They might suggest solar panels, insulation, a heat pump, or smart heating controls. Your council organises the work and pays for it. If you rent, your landlord may need to pay for some of it.
Who Can Get It?
Your home must:
- be in England
- be privately owned, by you or your landlord
- have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G
Your household income usually needs to be £36,000 a year or less. If it's more, you might still be eligible if you live in certain postcode areas, or someone in your home gets certain benefits.
Don't know your EPC rating? You can find it out when you apply.
How to Apply
Check your eligibility and apply on GOV.UK. Your council will usually contact you within ten working days. If you'd like help applying, call the Government helpline on 0800 098 7950.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
The Energy Company Obligation makes larger energy suppliers pay for energy-saving improvements in lower-income homes. It covers England, Scotland, and Wales. It can include solar panels, but it mainly funds insulation and heating.
The scheme ends on 31 December 2026. Funding has already run out in some areas, so getting help through it is now harder. The Government isn't planning a direct replacement. Instead, support is moving to the Warm Homes Plan.
To find out if you're eligible, contact your local council or your energy supplier.
Warm Homes Nest, Wales
Nest is the Welsh Government's scheme for warmer, more energy-efficient homes. It gives free advice to everyone in Wales. Some homes can also get free improvements, which can include solar panels.
Who Can Get It?
You might be eligible if:
- you own your home or rent it privately
- someone in your home gets a means-tested benefit, or your household is on a lower income
- your home has an EPC rating of E or below
- or your home is rated D or below, and someone in it has an eligible health condition
To check if you qualify, call Nest free on 0808 808 2244.
Help in Scotland
There's no general solar panel grant in Scotland at the moment. The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan stopped funding solar panels and batteries for new applications in June 2024.
You might still get help in other ways:
- Warmer Homes Scotland helps homes that struggle to stay warm. It has fitted solar panels in some homes, alongside other improvements.
- The Energy Company Obligation runs in Scotland until 31 December 2026.
- A Warm Homes loan is open to homeowners in Scotland, and you can get one through So Energy.
For free advice on what you could get, contact Home Energy Scotland.
Should I Get a Smart Meter Installed In My Home?
Getting a smart installed in your home is both a free and smart move to make.
With a smart meter, you get real-time information about your energy usage, allowing you to make smarter choices and potentially save on your bills. Plus, it can help reduce the nation's carbon footprint and bring us closer to a greener future.
Warm Homes Loan Scheme, UK-Wide
If you don't qualify for a grant, a Warm Homes loan could help you spread the cost of solar. The Government launched the scheme in October 2026, as part of its Warm Homes Plan.
The Government doesn't lend you the money. Approved lenders do. The Government helps them offer lower interest rates.
Who Can Get It?
To get a Warm Homes loan:
- you must own the home, with or without a mortgage
- the home must be in the UK
- it must be a home, not a business property
- an installer certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) must usually do the work
You can use the loan for solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, and some other low-carbon upgrades.
You can't use a Warm Homes loan and another government grant to pay for the same thing.
Get a Warm Homes Loan Through So Energy
You can get a Warm Homes loan when you buy solar panels or a battery from us. We'll install your system and arrange your finance, so it's all in one place. So Energy is a credit broker, not a lender, and finance is subject to status and affordability checks. This is something we can discuss directly with you once you’ve been in touch about a quote.
No VAT on Solar Panels and Batteries
There's currently no VAT on solar panels or batteries fitted in your home. This applies to everyone, whatever your income.
The 0% rate is set to end on 31 March 2027. After that, VAT on solar panels is due to go back up to 5%.
Get Paid for the Energy You Export
When your panels make more electricity than you're using, the spare energy goes to the grid. Through the Smart Export Guarantee, an energy supplier pays you for it.
If we install your solar, you can get 20p for every kWh you export. If someone else installed your panels, our So Export Flex tariff pays 4.5p per kWh. You don't need to buy your energy from us to get paid.
Find out more about our Smart Export Guarantee tariffs.
Group-Buying Schemes
Some councils run group-buying schemes, like Solar Together. Homes in the area sign up together, so installers can offer a lower price. These schemes open at set times in each area. Check your council's website to see if there's one near you.
How to Spot a Grant Scam
Some people pretend to offer grants so they can take your money. Councils have warned about people asking for a fee to help with an application.
- You never need to pay a fee to apply for a government grant.
- Apply through GOV.UK, your council, Nest, or Home Energy Scotland.
- If you're not sure an offer is real, contact your council before you share any details.
More Ways to Pay
You can also pay for your system in full. Every quote shows your options, so you can compare before you decide.
See our solar payment options, or read our guide: are solar panels worth it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Government Give Grants for Solar Panels?
Yes, for some lower-income homes. In England, the main grant is the Warm Homes: Local Grant. In Wales, it's Warm Homes Nest. There's no general solar grant in Scotland at the moment.
Can I Get a Warm Homes Loan Through So Energy?
Yes. When you buy solar panels or a battery from us, you can spread the cost with a Warm Homes loan. Finance is subject to status.
Can I Get Free Solar Panels?
You might, if you're on a lower income and your home has a low energy rating. Grants are assessed home by home, so you can't always choose solar panels. Your council or Nest will suggest what suits your home best.
Can I Get Free Solar Panels on PIP?
Personal Independence Payment isn't means-tested, so it may not count on its own. You might still be eligible through your income, another benefit, or where you live. In Wales, some health conditions can also help you qualify for Nest.
Is There a Grant for Solar Batteries?
Grants are based on what your home needs, so a battery isn't guaranteed. You can spread the cost of a battery with a Warm Homes loan through So Energy. There's also no VAT on batteries until 31 March 2027.
Can I Get a Grant and a Loan?
You might be able to get both, but not for the same improvement. For example, a grant could pay for insulation and a loan for solar panels.
Do I Need to Be a So Energy Customer?
No. Government grants don't depend on your energy supplier. You can also get our Smart Export Guarantee tariffs without buying your energy from us.
Ready to Find Out What Solar Could Save You?
Your free solar quote shows your expected savings, export income, payback period, and payment options.
Sources
GOV.UK, Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home.
Ofgem, Energy Company Obligation, and GOV.UK, Extending the ECO4 end date: government response.
Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme eligibility, as published by Welsh councils.
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan terms, and Scottish Government, Heat in Buildings progress report 2025.
GOV.UK, Warm Homes Loan Scheme.
HMRC, VAT on energy-saving materials.
So Energy Smart Export Guarantee rates, November 2026. Terms apply.
Local council warnings, for example Camden Council.
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