Solar Panel Grants UK | Free Solar Panels

In the UK, there are several grants, schemes and incentives available to make solar panels more affordable. In some cases, solar panels could even be free for some eligible households.

If you qualify and claim one of these government-backed programs, you could reduce or completely cover the upfront cost of solar panels. Plus, generating your own renewable energy helps lower your carbon footprint and makes your home more future-proof against rising energy prices.

Whether you’re exploring solar for the first time or wondering if you qualify for a free installation, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the latest solar panel grants in the UK, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Wondering what you’d pay to get solar panels installed? Fill in the form below to receive your free solar quote today:

What Grants or Schemes for Solar Panels Are Currently Available?

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that pays you for surplus electricity your solar panels export back to the grid. It rewards you monthly based on how much clean energy you supply, encouraging more households to install solar.

Key Features

• You cannot get free solar panels through SEG, it only pays for exported electricity.

• Anyone with a solar panel system and a smart meter can participate.

• You can apply now, the scheme is ongoing without a set end date.

• Payments based on exported electricity, rates set by energy suppliers.

• Works with any size of solar PV system.

• Requires a smart meter for export monitoring.

Eligibility

To qualify, you must have a solar PV system and a smart meter installed. There is no income or household eligibility restriction, the SEG is open to all solar system owners.

How to Apply

You apply by choosing an energy supplier that offers SEG tariffs, then registering your export agreement with them. They will set the payment rates and arrange meter readings for export calculation.

Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4)

ECO4 is a government programme running until March 31, 2026, providing grants and support to improve energy efficiency in low-income households, including funding for solar panel installation.

Key Features

• Free solar panels are possible for eligible low-income households.

• Eligible participants are low-income or vulnerable households with homes rated EPC D to G.

• Applications are open until March 31, 2026.

• Targets fuel poverty and energy efficiency improvements.

• Applies across England, Scotland and Wales (excludes Northern Ireland).

Eligibility

To qualify, your household income generally needs to be below £31,000, or you must be receiving government benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit under certain thresholds or other specified benefits. Your home must have an EPC rating between D and G. Owner-occupiers and private tenants (with landlord permission) can apply.

How to Apply

Contact any of the obligated energy suppliers participating in ECO4 like British Gas, EDF Energy or Octopus Energy. They will assess your eligibility and arrange a home visit to determine suitable energy-saving measures. You can also speak with Glow Green who can let you know if you're eligible.

0% VAT

The UK government offers a VAT reduction on solar panel installations, lowering the rate from 20% to 0%, which reduces the upfront cost.

Key Features

• This is a partial subsidy therefore it does not provide free solar panels.

• Applies to all UK homeowners purchasing solar panel systems.

• The 0% VAT rate is available until March 31, 2027.

• VAT exemption applies to solar panel equipment and installation.

• Lowers the upfront financial barrier for solar adoption.

• Available for residential solar panel projects in the UK.

Eligibility

All homeowners installing solar panels on residential properties in the UK are eligible for the 0% VAT rate. Both new installations and replacement systems qualify.

How to Apply

Your solar panel provider will apply the 0% VAT automatically when billing you. Ensure your installer is aware of the VAT exemption to reflect it correctly in your invoice.

Warm Homes Local Grant

The Warm Homes Grant supports low-income households in England to install energy-efficiency upgrades, including solar panels, aiming to reduce fuel poverty.

Key Features

• Eligible households may receive free solar panel installations.

• You must be a low-income household (typically under £36,000/year) or receiving eligible benefits.

• The grant is currently available and accepting applications.

• Combines funding from national and local sources.

• Supports multiple energy-efficiency improvements.

Eligibility

Households in England with incomes under around £36,000 or receiving benefits like Universal Credit or Income Support may qualify, especially if the property is energy inefficient.

How to Apply

Applications are usually handled through local councils or approved energy advice centres. Contact your local authority or energy charity to start the application process.

Solar Together

Solar Together is a group-buying scheme organised by local authorities that offers discounted solar panel installations to participating homeowners.

Key Features

• It does not provide free solar panels, instead installs are offered at discounted prices.

• Homeowners must live in participating local council areas.

• Applications depend on the scheme’s active status in your region.

• Bulk purchasing achieves lower prices for participants.

• Independent and transparent procurement process.

• Covers solar panels and battery storage options.

Eligibility

You qualify if you own a home in a participating local council area and register during the open enrollment period. Eligibility criteria may vary regionally.

How to Apply

Register your interest on the Solar Together programme website when the scheme opens for your area. After the group bid is complete, you receive a customised offer and can opt in.

Home Energy Scotland Loan

This scheme offers low-interest loans to Scottish homeowners to fund renewable energy installations, including solar thermal and hybrid solar PV systems.

Key Features

• Solar panels are not free, instead financial support is provided via loans.

• Available to Scottish homeowners needing loan finance assistance.

• Applications are open until March 31, 2026.

• Loans with low or zero interest rates.

• Flexible repayment terms to suit different budgets.

• Supports a range of renewable and efficiency measures.

Eligibility

Scottish homeowners installing approved renewable energy measures who require financial assistance qualify. Both owner-occupiers and landlords may be eligible.

How to Apply

Apply through Home Energy Scotland by contacting their advice service. They will assess your eligibility and guide you through the loan application process.

Warm Homes Nest Scheme

Warm Homes Nest is a fully funded scheme in Wales delivering energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels, to low-income and vulnerable households.

Key Features

• Eligible participants can receive free solar panel installations.

• Targeted at households receiving low-income benefits in Wales.

• The scheme is ongoing and accepting applications.

• Provides comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades.

• Administered by the Welsh government.

Eligibility

Households in Wales claiming income-related benefits or on low income with energy inefficient homes qualify. The scheme aims to help people most in need.

How to Apply

Applicants should contact the Nest scheme helpline or apply via their website. They will arrange an energy assessment and installation if eligible.

Can I Get Solar Panels for Free?

While it is possible to get solar panels for free in the UK, it depends on your circumstances. If you qualify for certain government schemes like ECO4, Warm Homes Local Grant or the Warm Homes Nest Scheme in Wales, your installation could be fully funded.

As mentioned above, these schemes mainly support low-income households, people receiving specific benefits or those living in less energy-efficient homes. If you don’t qualify for full funding, you might still get partial grants or access to cheaper installations via local authority schemes or group-buy programs like Solar Together.

While fully free solar panel programs are limited, some social housing providers and councils offer no-cost installations to eligible residents. Otherwise, you can benefit from the 0% VAT on solar panels until March 2027 and explore solar finance options to spread the cost.

What’s the Cost of Solar Panels Without a Grant?

Without a government solar grant, the cost of solar panel installation typically falls within the range of £4,000 to £7,000 for an average home in the UK.

However, the final price depends on several factors, including the size of the solar array, the brand and efficiency of panels chosen, and any specific installation challenges your property might present.

Also, if your home requires extras like solar batteries or specialist roofing work, the costs will likely be higher. For premium equipment or large rooftops, it’s possible for costs to go above £7,000, while smaller properties or simpler installations may be closer to £4,000.​

If you’re not eligible for a solar grant or scheme, it’s still a smart move to get a quote from an MCS-accredited installer, such as Glow Green. Thanks to the UK’s current 0% VAT policy, you won’t pay any tax on your solar panel installation until March 2027, and prices for solar panels keep dropping across the market. This means you could secure a better deal by acting soon and taking advantage of all available savings.

How Much Will I Save Using Solar Panels?

Over time, the reduction in energy bills from using solar energy can be substantial. According to BOXT, average annual savings based on your type of home are as follows:

With a battery:

• Detached House: You can save approximately £1,096.

• Semi-detached House: You could save around £936.

• Bungalow: Savings can reach up to or around £777.

• Terrace: You may see savings of up to or around £610.

Without a battery:

• Detached House: You can save approximately £943.

• Semi-detached House: You could save around £795.

• Bungalow: Savings can reach up to or around £646.

• Terrace: You may see savings of up to or around £498.

However, it's important to remember that your exact savings depend on factors like your energy consumption habits, roof orientation, system size and whether you use batteries to store solar energy for later use.

Expired Solar Panel Grants

The following grants and schemes have historically played pivotal roles in helping homeowners enhance their properties, but have now expired:

• The Green Homes Grant: The Green Homes Grant was a UK government scheme designed to help homeowners and landlords afford energy improvements like solar panels. It covered up to two-thirds of the cost, with a maximum voucher value of £5,000. If you were on certain benefits, the grant could cover the full cost up to £10,000. The work had to be done by certified tradespeople to ensure quality. However, the scheme closed to new applications on 31 March 2021, and any issued vouchers are no longer valid.

• Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme: The RHI was a UK government scheme designed to encourage households to install renewable heating systems like biomass boilers, solar water heating and specific heat pumps. It provided financial payments over seven years based on the amount of renewable heat your system produced.However, this scheme stopped accepting new applications after 31 March 2022, so it's no longer available for new installations. If you already joined, the payments continue for the full term, but if not, look out for newer programs like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which replaced it in England and Wales.

• Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme: The FiT was one of the first UK government schemes to promote solar panel use. It paid homeowners, landlords and businesses for the electricity their solar panels generated. You also received extra payments for any surplus electricity you exported back to the grid. The scheme stopped accepting new applicants in April 2019, but if you signed up before then, you’ll keep receiving payments based on your original contract. The FiT helped kickstart the solar market in the UK, making renewable energy more common and affordable. It was eventually replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays only for exported electricity rather than all generation.

Solar Panel Grants FAQs