Grants

Solar Grant Eligibility Checker

Check which UK solar grants and schemes you may qualify for

Grant and scheme eligibility

Check which UK solar grants and schemes you may be eligible for. This is a quick guide — always check the official scheme for full criteria.

Ownership

EPC rating

Region

ECO4 Scheme (Extended)

The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for low-income and vulnerable households. Eligible measures include solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and heating upgrades. Private renters need landlord consent. The scheme was extended by 9 months beyond its original March 2026 end date.

Means-tested

Warm Homes Plan (National Framework)

Up to £15

The Warm Homes Plan is the government's flagship energy efficiency programme, published January 2026. It commits £15 billion to upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030 and aims to lift 1 million families out of fuel poverty. The plan has three pillars: fully funded upgrades for low-income homes (via the Warm Homes: Local Grant), government-backed 0% interest loans for all homeowners (the Consumer Loan Scheme, launching April 2027), and renter protections. Eligible measures include solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, insulation and smart controls.

Means-tested

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

Up to £7,500

Government grant of £7,500 towards installing an air source heat pump (ASHP) or ground source heat pump (GSHP) as a replacement for a fossil fuel boiler. New for 2025-26: £2,500 grants for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries. Applied for by your MCS certified installer, not directly by homeowners. Relevant to solar owners as solar combined with a heat pump creates a highly efficient low-carbon heating and energy system.

Zero-Rate VAT on Solar Installations

Since April 2022, solar panel installations, battery storage systems, heat pumps and other qualifying energy-saving materials installed in residential properties in Great Britain are subject to 0% VAT (down from 5%, and originally reduced from 20%). This is not a grant but a government tax relief that automatically applies to all eligible installations. Northern Ireland has different rules under the Windsor Framework.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

Not a grant but guaranteed income — energy suppliers must pay you for electricity you export to the grid. Requires MCS-certified installation.

MCS required

Next steps for you

Your EPC rating means you are unlikely to qualify for grants targeting fuel poverty. Focus on the 0% VAT saving (automatic on your installer quote) and maximising Smart Export Guarantee income from a well-designed system.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim a grant AND the 0% VAT saving?

Yes. The 0% VAT rate is automatically applied on the invoice and does not count as additional funding. You can stack it with ECO4, Warm Homes: Local Grant, or any regional scheme.

How long do grant applications take?

ECO4 applications typically take 6–12 weeks from initial assessment to installation. Warmer Homes Scotland is similar. Warm Homes: Local Grant timescales vary by council. Plan ahead if you want solar before winter.

Will applying for a grant affect my benefits?

No. Home improvement grants are not treated as income for means-tested benefits. They are classified as capital improvements to your property, not financial support.

What documents do I need to apply?

Typically: proof of address, proof of ownership (or tenancy + landlord permission), recent benefits letters if means-tested, and your current EPC certificate. The installer usually handles the paperwork for you.

Are grants taxable income?

No. Residential energy efficiency grants are not taxable. If you sell your home later, the improvements may affect your capital gains calculation, but the grant itself does not create a tax liability.

What happened to HUG2 and the Great British Insulation Scheme?

Both schemes are now closed. HUG2 ended March 2025 and GBIS ended March 2026. Their replacement is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which launched April 2025 and offers similar support for households with incomes under £36,000 and an EPC rating of D or below.

How this works

Several UK schemes can fund part or all of a solar installation for eligible households. The main ones are ECO4 (England, Wales, Scotland), the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2, off-gas-grid only), Warmer Homes Scotland, Nest Cymru (Wales), and the 0% VAT rate available to everyone.

Eligibility depends on three main factors: home ownership status, EPC rating, and region. The calculator filters the scheme list based on your selections and highlights which ones you may qualify for.

All grants have additional criteria (income thresholds, benefits status, property type) that this tool cannot fully verify — always check the official scheme details before applying.

Things to consider

•ECO4 funding depends on your energy supplier having budget remaining — apply early in the scheme year.
•The 0% VAT rate currently has no confirmed end date and applies automatically on your installer quote — no application needed.
•Grant applications can take 6-12 weeks. Factor this into your timeline if you need solar before winter.
•Scheme eligibility can overlap — many households qualify for ECO4 AND the 0% VAT rate simultaneously.

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