The UK government has launched a financial support program to help its locals with better renewable energy sources. The sun can provide electricity during the day as it is a natural source of heat and light. However, installing such expensive solar panels is not financially possible for everyone. To help the lower-middle-class, poor, and tenant people, the government has introduced multiple solar grants. They include ECO4, Warm Home Nest Scheme, Warm Home Plans, and others.
In this guide, we will provide you with the latest government grants for solar panels available in 2025. We will share their eligibility criteria and how you can apply successfully for them. Let's discuss them in detail.
ECO4 scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a funding initiative that came into effect in April 2022. Improving the energy efficiency of low-income, vulnerable, and inefficient houses is its main goal. Solar system installation also includes heating and cooling systems, insulation, and other energy-efficient activities. The government has allocated 4 billion pounds to be spread over 4 years through ECO4 (1 year, 1 billion).
The grant can offer:
- Government grants for solar panels UK gives you a chance to get free solar installation based on the eligibility criteria.
- In some cases, it can cover the charges of multiple upgrades with a budget of 80,000 pounds to lower the carbon emissions in the country.
- The ECO4 is estimated to upgrade 450,000 homes, mainly with an EPC rating of C.
Eligibility:
The grant is open for all low-efficiency, poor-fuel, and vulnerable homes to get relief on the cost of solar panels. To qualify for this, you need to:
- Be the owner of your home. A tenant can also apply for this, but only with the permission of their landlord.
- Have a gross income under £31,000.
- Be one of the houses whose heating network and boiler mass have been disqualified.
- You already have essential upgrades in your home that will be confirmed by an assessor later.
- Must be receiving any government benefit like Income Support, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, and Child Tax Credits.
Who verifies eligibility?
LA Flex is an extensive body of ECO4 schemes that support local authorities (LA) to determine the eligibility of requested homes. They decide your grant eligibility based on the above requirements.
When is the grant going to close?
The grant is open until March 2026; until then, you can apply for either full relaxation on the cost of solar panels or half.
How can you apply for the ECO4 scheme?
You can apply for this financial grant through your local energy supplier companies, like
- Outfox the Market
- Ovo Energy (including Boost and SSE)
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy
- So Energy
- Utility Warehouse
- Utilita
- British Gas
- Bulb
- EDF Energy
- Eon
- Octopus Energy (including Co-op Energy)
They will have a detailed call session with you to determine the qualifying criteria. They will assess you based on your identity card, energy bills, proof of income, and house ownership.
Then they will visit your home to check its energy efficiency based on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
If you want to prevent the tiring steps of applying the application or just don't have enough knowledge about the process, then you can rely on Fixsavvy. We can submit your application under the UK government's defined criteria. No matter how many stories your property has or where it is located, we can afford to build an efficient solar panel system.
Once you get approved, they will decide the installation date, and they pay the cost of installing solar panels. Enjoy an efficient, eco-friendly, and low-cost electric system by using solar heat. The government of the United Kingdom can also pay solar consumers to supply the power grid with electricity.
Warm Homes Plan
This scheme was launched in April 2025, in which the needy householders are granted 31,000 pounds to improve their energy efficiency. This plan aims to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and promote renewable sources.
The Warm Homes Plan mainly applies to the residents of social housing who pay for living in a particular building.
This initiative was taken by the UK government under the Green Deal scheme to deal with fuel poverty and to achieve a clean and green environment.
The Warm Homes plan comes with:
- Financial support of 31,000 pounds to help inefficient, unreachable, and low-income households get a house upgrade to make them more comfortable, livable, and efficient.
- The aim is to improve efficiency while making renewable sources accessible to all UK households by the end of 2028.
- Initiative to reduce carbon emissions and get a fresh, pollution-free atmosphere.
What can you do with the grant amount?
If you get a chance to qualify for this helpful plan, you can easily use it to install a solar panel system at your home. This is the primary motive for this amount.
You can use it in other house-improving tasks like upgrading the heat pumps.
Additionally, this amount can also be invested in better insulation solutions, which boost the efficiency and comfort of your home.
Eligibility
The desired candidates would only qualify for this plan if:
- They are residents of a social housing society.
- For residents to be eligible for this plan, their total gross annual income must not exceed £31,000.
- The one living as a tenant (renter) would only be eligible with the permission of their landlord.
- Eligibility is further determined by the house assessment done by a retrofit to determine your home's existing energy consumption.
- Households receiving government grants are already or at least declared as low-income, but are not receiving benefits.
How do you apply for and get the Warm Homes Plan for home improvement?
The process to get a Warm Home Grant for solar panels is reflected below:
- Eligibility assessment: To confirm your eligibility, visit the UK government's Warm Homes Plan webpage or contact your local council.
- Apply for the grant: Next, submit your application online or in person at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Don't forget to keep the proof of your income and house ownership with you.
- Assessment and installation: Then, a professional will visit your home to check the solar panel installation site, and after being satisfied, the installer will successfully install the solar panels at your place.
This plan is valid until?
You can apply for this plan before 2028. The goal of the plan is to provide better, less polluting, and more efficient housing solutions to underprivileged and poor households.
Warm Homes Nest Scheme
This scheme is primarily designed to help the eligible households make their homes energy-efficient and comfortable. The plan aims to provide funding and advice to improve your home. If you are a renter or a person with serious health issues like chronic respiratory, circulatory, or mental disorders, then you may qualify for completely free solar installation.
Through these, the UK government wants to reduce energy costs and promote less fuel consumption.
How can you ensure free solar installation through this grant?
It is dependent upon the qualifying standards established by the UK government. You need to satisfy the given conditions:
- The candidate has a long-term respiratory, mental, or cardiovascular illness, or they receive a means-tested benefit.
- You have a home under your ownership or may have a privately rented living place.
- You are living in a house that is less energy-efficient and generates high electricity bills.
When and how can you apply for this grant?
The homeowners can apply for this grant plan at any time of the year. There isn't any deadline of time or year for this plan. Just get the documents you need discussed before applying for this scheme through your local council office.
If I tell you a more convenient option, then you can contact us to apply for these grants. FXSavvy helps you increase your efficiency and submit successful government grant applications on your behalf. You can also visit the UK government website to check for this grant.
What choices do I have if I am not qualified for free solar panel grants in the UK?
Solar installation is a smart move in this advanced era. If you get it through UK grants, then nothing can be better than this. In case you are not one of those privileged people, then here are the other ways that you can try:
Getting Loans
With the help of solar loans, you can pay for solar panels over time and avoid paying on time. These loans can be accessed from banks, solar installers, or building societies.
Green home loans
This is a loan scheme designed to ensure home upgrades to meet certain environmentally friendly standards. Its goal is to give people enough loans so they can stop paying expensive and inefficient bills and damaging the environment in their homes.
0% VAT
One of the green incentives offered by the government is the 0% VAT rate that will be applied to certain energy-saving devices and materials, such as solar power for residential use, until March 31, 2027.
These options relieve you of the burden of covering the entire cost of solar installation.
Final words
Government grants for solar panels allow you to improve your home's energy efficiency at a low cost. You can also qualify for a 100 percent free solar installation if you meet certain eligibility criteria. ECO4, the Warm Homes plan, and other grants are available in Wales, England, and Scotland. Prepare all of your documentation, and contact us for these helpful grants to raise your level of living and make your house more comfortable.
FAQs
Do you get paid for having solar panels in the UK?
Yes, around £159 can be generated every year just to export electric energy back to the grid.
What must a landlord provide by law in the UK?
A landlord must provide an EPC to provide proof of house security
Can I get free solar in the UK?
Yes, through ECO4, Warm Homes plans, and other grants, you can qualify for the free solar energy panels.
How many solar panels are needed to power a house?
Around 15-22 for an average home need.
Can I use solar power to run air conditioning?
Yes, using a solar connection to power an air conditioner is possible..