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Guide for homes

Solar grants and loans in 2026

There's no general solar grant, but the Warm Homes Plan, Warm Homes Loans, ECO4 (to 31 December 2026) and schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may help.

Checked 9 October 2026 · Sources

Row of terraced bungalows behind a park, each with solar panels on the roof
Housing with solar roof panels in Stone, Staffordshire · Photo: Roger Kidd, CC BY-SA 2.0

No general solar grant

The Energy Saving Trust says there aren't any dedicated solar panel grants from the UK government, but other schemes may help — especially for lower-income households.

Warm Homes Plan

The government's Warm Homes Plan (2026) sets out about £15 billion of public investment to 2030, including:

  • about £5 billion for low-income households, including £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund for fully funded solar and batteries, delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Warm Homes: Local Grant — check GOV.UK or your council for who can apply
  • about £1.7 billion for low and zero-interest loans

It aims for up to 3 million more homes with solar by 2030.

Warm Homes Loan Scheme

Under the scheme rules (September 2026):

  • the government pays lenders to cut your interest rate by up to 5 percentage points, on loans of 3 years or more (the rate can't go below zero)
  • any home in the UK can qualify; it's aimed at owner-occupiers and private landlords
  • there's no income test, but the lender runs normal credit checks
  • loan caps: £15,000 for solar and £15,000 for a battery, including things like scaffolding and grid connection; an EV charger only counts alongside solar or a battery
  • it doesn't pay for roof repairs
  • you must use an MCS-certified installer and MCS-certified products
  • the consumer phase started from September 2026, through participating lenders

ECO4

ECO4, funded by energy suppliers for low-income and vulnerable households, has been extended to 31 December 2026. It may include solar for some homes — ask an ECO4 installer or your council. (The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026.)

Scotland

Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan is for homeowners and doesn't depend on benefits. Its current list of renewables offers loans for solar thermal and hybrid PV-T panels (up to £5,000 each), with an MCS installer. Ask Home Energy Scotland what's available for standard solar panels and batteries. Warmer Homes Scotland is a separate, fully funded scheme for eligible households.

Wales

Warm Homes Nest offers free advice and possibly free home improvements, which can include solar panels. Call 0808 808 2244.

Northern Ireland

Power NI says there are currently no government grants for domestic solar in Northern Ireland, though 0% VAT applies, and the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme may help some groups.

Supplier offers

Some energy suppliers offer discounts on solar for their customers. These are sales offers, not grants — compare them with other quotes.

Watch out

Be wary of anyone who cold-calls offering "free" or "government-funded" solar. Check the scheme yourself and use an MCS-certified installer. See scams and pressure selling.

Sources

  1. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels
  2. GOV.UK: Warm Homes Plan
  3. DESNZ: Warm Homes Loan Scheme – scheme rules (Sept 2026)
  4. GOV.UK: Extending the ECO4 end date – government response
  5. Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan
  6. Welsh Government: Warm Homes Nest
  7. Power NI: Solar panel grants and funding in Northern Ireland

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rules and prices change, and some differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check the sources for your situation.