UK solar schemes, grants & incentives
A plain-English guide to every scheme available for domestic solar in the UK — what they are, who qualifies, what you actually get, and the gotchas worth knowing before you apply.
The schemes landscape changes regularly. This section is updated when government announcements change the details — the date on each article shows when it was last reviewed.
ECO4 Scheme
Ends Dec 2026Government-funded free solar for lower-income households. Runs to December 2026. If you qualify, this is the most valuable scheme available.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
OngoingGet paid for the surplus electricity your solar panels send back to the grid. Rates range from 1p to 30p per kWh depending on your supplier.
Warm Homes Plan
Launches Jan 2027The £15 billion ECO4 successor, launching January 2027. Not yet open, but understanding it now helps you decide whether to act under ECO4 first.
Free Solar Panels & Rent-a-Roof
Reality checkThe "free solar" schemes that were common before 2019 are largely dead. Here is what happened, what still exists, and why ownership matters.
0% VAT on Solar
Ends Mar 2027Since April 2022, solar installations carry 0% VAT instead of the standard rate. Confirmed to 31 March 2027 — worth about £1,100 on a typical system.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
RegionalSeparate grant programmes run by the devolved governments. Scotland in particular has generous cashback grants and interest-free loans most people do not know about.
A note on “free solar” claims
If you have seen adverts promising free solar panel installation, they are almost always referring either to ECO4 (which has genuine eligibility criteria) or to a commercial arrangement where you do not own the panels. Not owning your panels blocks you from the Smart Export Guarantee and can complicate mortgage remortgaging. The free solar reality check article covers this in full.