The 60-second answer
- No "free solar for everyone" scheme exists. Sites claiming this are misleading. Real routes are targeted, not universal.
- 0% VAT is universal — every homeowner saves ~£1,000–£2,000 on a 4 kW install. Runs to at least March 2027.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant is England only — not Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. It can include solar in a whole-home retrofit package, runs to 31 March 2028, and the eligibility rules are national rather than set by each council. You start on GOV.UK and it passes you to your council.
- ECO Flex (LA Flex) is the discretionary route through your council for hardship households.
- ECO Flex runs on ECO4, which is still open — extended to 31 December 2026, and the installation must be finished by that date. It is not a grant and nobody is entitled to it; the supplier decides whether to fund the work.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the ongoing income from your solar — not a grant, but the real economics live here. 1p-15p/kWh exported, supplier-set.
- Closed schemes: Feed-in Tariff (March 2019), Home Upgrade Grant (March 2025). Don't apply.
Independent information
This is an independent information service. We are not a government delivery agent or a solar installer. All scheme detail comes from HMRC, Ofgem, DESNZ guidance, and supplier-published SEG tariff tables. Eligibility and SEG rates change — always verify directly with your local authority, energy supplier, or GOV.UK before applying.
The picture for 2026
Search "solar panel grants" and you find two kinds of content: misleading lead-generation sites claiming universal "free solar for all," and outdated government guides still referencing schemes that closed years ago. The truth is narrower than the first and more current than the second.
In 2026 there are four real financial routes for solar in UK homes: a universal VAT rate available to everyone, two targeted government schemes for qualifying households, and one ongoing income mechanism that everyone with solar can join. None of them is "free panels for whoever wants them," but combined they materially change solar economics for anyone making the install decision in 2026 or 2027.
And there are two closed schemes still referenced on most other guides: the Feed-in Tariff (closed March 2019), the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG, closed March 2025). Both had specific support for solar, and neither accepts new applications. ECO4 is the opposite case — it has not closed: it was extended to 31 December 2026, and the installation has to be completed by that date. Where the closed scheme had a successor, we'll route you to the live one.
The four live routes for solar funding
Universal
0% VAT on residential solar
HMRC zero-rates residential solar panel installations until at least March 2027. The rate covers both the equipment and the installation labour. On a typical 4 kW system costing £5,000–£10,000 before VAT, the saving is £1,000–£2,000 compared to the 20% standard rate. After April 2027 the rate reverts to either 5% (reduced rate for energy-saving materials) or 20% — the policy decision has not been confirmed.
How to use: ensure your installer's quote shows £0 VAT explicitly. Some installers were slow to update systems after the zero-rate took effect; confirm before signing the contract.
Affiliate link — Energy Pages may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.
Qualifying households
Warm Homes: Local Grant
WH:LG is the consumer-facing route under the Warm Homes Plan umbrella, and it runs in England only — not Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland — with a delivery window that closes on 31 March 2028. Solar PV (typically 3-6 kW) and battery storage (5-10 kWh) can be included in a whole-home retrofit package where the survey recommends them, particularly where the property starts at EPC D-G and the retrofit targets EPC C or above — solar is funded as part of a package rather than on its own, and the council decides what goes in. The £16,600 figures are cost caps rather than money a household can claim: £16,600 per home for energy performance upgrades and £16,600 per home for low carbon heating, and a council may average them across its whole project, so what any one home gets can be well under either figure.
Who may qualify: the home must be in England, privately owned by you or your landlord, with an EPC of D, E, F or G — bands A to C are out, with no discretion. Social housing sits outside WH:LG entirely; social tenants go through their landlord under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The household then needs one of three things: an address in one of the most income-deprived postcodes, one of the named means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA), or a gross household income of £36,000 a year or less. Council Tax band is not a criterion, and being off the gas grid is not a route in by itself. Owner-occupiers are not asked to contribute anything towards the work.
How to apply: start on GOV.UK, not with your council — the national service at gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant checks your postcode and passes you to your council, which surveys the property and decides. Two things can still stop an English household: councils run out of money and pause applications (Rugby has), and Greater Manchester addresses are turned away from the national scheme and sent to the combined authority's own retrofit route instead. West Midlands addresses are accepted by the same GOV.UK service and forwarded to the devolved programme. The service tells you which applies to you. Read the full WH:LG guide.
Discretionary
ECO Flex / LA Flex
Local Authority Flexible Eligibility allows councils to nominate households for energy efficiency funding outside the standard income or benefits criteria. Each council publishes a "Statement of Intent" listing the discretionary categories it will consider — typically including high heating costs, vulnerable household members, mental or physical health impacts of cold, or specific demographic factors. Solar can be included in the funded package where the retrofit assessor recommends it. ECO Flex is the referral route into ECO4 rather than a scheme in its own right, so it ends when ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026 and the work has to be completed by that date, not merely started. Councils are told to make clear that being named in a declaration does not guarantee the measures get installed.
How to apply: search "[your council] LA Flex Statement of Intent" or contact your council's energy advice service. The route is worth checking even if you do not meet standard income criteria but face energy hardship.
Ongoing income
Smart Export Guarantee
SEG is not a grant — it's the Ofgem-regulated mechanism that requires licensed energy suppliers (over 150,000 customers) to offer a tariff for electricity you export to the grid. Every solar installation in 2026 should be enrolled on a SEG tariff. The economics of solar at this point depend more on the SEG rate you choose than on any upfront grant. See the dedicated SEG section below for current rates and best-tariff guidance.
The Smart Export Guarantee in detail
The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) closed to new applicants in March 2019. SEG launched in January 2020 as its successor — but the two work very differently. FIT paid a generous, government-set rate for both generation and export across a 20-25 year guaranteed contract. SEG pays only for export, at rates set commercially by individual suppliers, on tariffs that can change with as little as 30 days' notice.
For solar economics, this means: shop the SEG tariff like you shop your energy supplier. The rate matters as much as the panel cost when modelling payback.
SEG tariff types
Fixed
Fixed-rate SEG
A single flat rate per kWh exported, locked for the contract term (typically 12 months). Predictable income. Most suppliers offer fixed SEG tariffs in the 3p–15p/kWh range. Octopus Outgoing, EDF Export+, British Gas Export & Earn, OVO SEG, and E.ON Next Export are common comparison points.
Variable
Variable-rate SEG
Rates track wholesale day-ahead electricity prices. Higher in summer afternoons and winter early evenings when grid demand peaks; lower at night and weekend mornings. Octopus Agile Outgoing is the best-known. Variable can beat fixed by 20-40% on the right export profile — particularly for solar without battery, where export concentrates in midday peaks.
Current best SEG tariffs (2026)
| Tariff | Rate | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Outgoing Fixed | 15p/kWh | Fixed 12mo | Requires Octopus as import supplier |
| Octopus Agile Outgoing | Variable | Half-hourly | Can exceed 25p at peak; requires smart meter |
| EDF Export+ | 8-12p/kWh | Fixed | Available to all customers |
| British Gas Export & Earn | 6.4p/kWh | Fixed | Requires British Gas import account |
| E.ON Next Export | 5.5p/kWh | Fixed | Available to all customers |
| OVO SEG | 4-7p/kWh | Fixed | Requires OVO import account |
| Scottish Power SmartGen | 12p/kWh | Fixed | Requires Scottish Power import account |
Rates as of May 2026. Tariff terms change — verify current rates with the supplier before signing. Ofgem maintains a SEG league table at ofgem.gov.uk showing all eligible tariffs.
How to apply for SEG
- 1. Install MCS-certified solar PV (mandatory — non-MCS installations cannot enrol on SEG).
- 2. Have a smart meter installed if you don't have one — required for half-hourly tariffs like Octopus Agile.
- 3. Choose your SEG tariff. You can pick any SEG tariff regardless of who supplies your imported electricity for most fixed tariffs; variable tariffs and some fixed tariffs require you to also import from the same supplier.
- 4. Apply directly to the chosen supplier. You'll need: MCS certificate, MPAN number, smart meter details, bank account for payments.
- 5. Payments commence at the next billing cycle, typically within 1-3 months of approval.
Solar + battery economics
Adding battery storage to a solar PV install changes the SEG calculation. Without battery: ~50% of solar generation typically exports, paid at the SEG rate. With battery: export drops to 20-30% (you self-consume more), but self-consumption value rises (you offset import at 26.32p/kWh rather than exporting at 5-15p). On a time-of-use import tariff like Octopus Cosy or Agile, the battery can also arbitrage cheap-night-rate to peak-evening — adding another £150–£400 annual income on top of solar. Total system payback typically improves by 1-2 years with battery on the right tariff.
What's closed, what isn't — and what replaced it
Two solar-relevant schemes have closed in the past few years, and most online guides still reference them as live. A third, ECO4, has not closed: it runs until 31 December 2026. If you arrive at this page after seeing one of them mentioned elsewhere, here's the current state.
Feed-in Tariff (FIT) — closed March 2019
The original generous solar incentive. Paid both generation and export at high government-set rates across a 20-25 year contract. Closed to new applicants in March 2019. Existing FIT-accredited installations continue receiving payments until their contract ends. Successor: Smart Export Guarantee — pays only export, at lower commercial rates.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) — closed March 2025
Funded energy efficiency improvements including solar for off-gas-grid homes. HUG1 ran 2022-2023; HUG2 ran 2023-2025. Closed to new applications in March 2025. Successor: Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) — broader scope, similar off-gas-grid priority, and national eligibility rules delivered by your council. England only, and it runs to 31 March 2028.
ECO4 — open until 31 December 2026
The fourth Energy Company Obligation. Funds insulation, heating, and in some cases solar for low-income households in England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland sits outside ECO). It was due to end in March 2026 and was extended by nine months instead, so households can still come forward — but the installation has to be completed by 31 December 2026, not merely started. It is not a grant scheme and there is no entitlement: the obligated supplier decides whether to fund the work. Routes in are any obligated energy supplier, a TrustMark-registered installer, or ECO Flex through your council if you are not on a qualifying benefit. Running alongside it: WH:LG for whole-home packages including insulation, BUS for heat pumps. GBIS, the insulation scheme that ran alongside it, closed March 2026.
Common misconceptions
What's not true
- "Free solar panels for all" — not real. No universal grant exists. Targeted schemes apply only to qualifying households.
- "You can still apply for FIT" — closed in March 2019. SEG is the successor for export income; there's no equivalent for generation payments.
- "The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers solar" — no. BUS is heat pumps only. In England, a Warm Homes: Local Grant package may cover both, if the council agrees it.
- "ECO4 closed in March 2026" — it didn't. Beyond ECO4, WH:LG or BUS are the live routes depending on what you need; GBIS closed the same month. ECO4 itself was extended by nine months, to 31 December 2026, and the installation has to be finished by then.
- "Government solar grants" — usually misnamed. What people mean is targeted retrofit schemes that may include solar. In England, WH:LG is the direct route — you start on GOV.UK and it passes you to your council. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes, and WH:LG does not reach across the border.
- "SEG rates are guaranteed for 20 years" — no. SEG tariffs run 12 months typically and can change. Compare rates annually.
Check your eligibility
The widget below queries your current EPC band against your postcode and routes you through Warm Homes: Local Grant eligibility, which covers England only. For SEG enrolment, no eligibility check is needed — your MCS-certified installer handles registration with your chosen supplier.
Warm Homes: Local Grant eligibility check
England only. EPC band D to G, plus benefits, household income or a low-income postcode — indicative eligibility for whole-home packages including solar.
Key eligibility factors:
- England only — not Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
- EPC band D, E, F or G
- Household income of £36,000 a year or less, a qualifying means-tested benefit, or a low-income postcode
- Owner-occupiers and private tenants with the landlord's consent (not social housing) — owner-occupiers and tenants are not expected to contribute anything, and a private landlord gets one home fully funded and pays half the cost on each additional home
- Separate caps for energy performance and low carbon heating, funding a whole-home package of measures — the caps are averaged across a council's whole project, not a sum a household can claim
- Apply on GOV.UK first and you are passed to your council, which decides — some councils have paused while their funding lasts. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are funded through their combined authorities instead: West Midlands households still apply through the same GOV.UK service, while Greater Manchester households are sent to the GMCA retrofit portal
Check your property against the live MHCLG EPC register to see your current band and the schemes you may qualify for — free, in under a minute.
Check your propertyNo current EPC on file? You'll need one to apply for WH:LG. Book an EPC via energyperformancecertificates.co.uk.
Affiliate link — Energy Pages may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.
Check your solar funding options
Share your postcode and household situation. Energy Pages will route you to the relevant scheme — WH:LG in England, which you start on GOV.UK, an MCS solar installer for SEG enrolment, or both. Single-enquiry routing.
No multi-broker lead sales. Your details go to one matched specialist.
Frequently asked questions
What solar panel grants are available in 2026?
Four routes: 0% VAT on residential solar (universal, no application needed, runs to at least March 2027); Warm Homes: Local Grant (England only, running to 31 March 2028), which can include solar in whole-home retrofit packages for households that may qualify; ECO Flex via local authority for discretionary nomination, the referral route into ECO4, so it runs only to 31 December 2026 and the installation must be completed by that date; and Smart Export Guarantee (not a grant, but the ongoing income from exported solar power).
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
SEG is the Ofgem-regulated successor to the Feed-in Tariff. It requires licensed energy suppliers (over 150,000 customers) to offer a tariff for electricity you export to the grid. Each supplier sets their own rate — current 2026 rates range from 1p to 15p per kWh exported.
What are the best SEG tariffs in 2026?
Octopus Outgoing (15p/kWh fixed, requires Octopus as import supplier), Scottish Power SmartGen (12p/kWh), EDF Export+ (8-12p), British Gas Export & Earn (6.4p), E.ON Next Export (5.5p), OVO SEG (4-7p). Octopus Agile Outgoing can exceed 25p at peak times. Rates change quarterly — verify before signing.
Did I miss the Feed-in Tariff deadline?
Yes — FIT closed to new applicants in March 2019. Existing accredited installations continue payments through their contract term. Smart Export Guarantee is the successor for new installs.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover solar?
No. BUS pays £7,500 specifically for replacing fossil fuel heating with a heat pump. Solar is not covered. In England, a Warm Homes: Local Grant package may cover both — your council decides what goes in.
Is the 0% VAT rate going to expire?
It runs until at least March 2027. Beyond that, the rate reverts to either 5% (reduced rate for energy-saving materials) or 20% — the policy decision has not been confirmed. On a typical 4kW install, the 0% rate saves around £1,000-£2,000.
Can I qualify for solar grants if I own my home outright?
Yes. Warm Homes: Local Grant (England only) qualification is based on property and household, not mortgage status: an EPC of D to G, plus either a means-tested benefit, a gross household income of £36,000 a year or less, or an address in one of the most income-deprived postcodes. Council Tax band is not a criterion and being off the gas grid is not a route in by itself. Owner-occupiers and private tenants both apply via WH:LG.
Do I need an EPC to apply?
For WH:LG yes — your current EPC band is used to assess eligibility. For ECO Flex, the council determines requirements. For 0% VAT and SEG, no EPC needed.
Does battery storage improve the SEG economics?
Usually yes. Battery reduces export volume but increases self-consumption value (offsetting 26.32p/kWh import vs 5-15p export). On time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Cosy or Agile, the battery also arbitrages cheap-night-rate to peak-evening for another £150-£400/year. Whole-system payback typically improves by 1-2 years.
Can private tenants apply?
Yes, with landlord consent. WH:LG, which runs in England only, allows tenant applications where the landlord signs the works agreement. It covers privately owned homes; social tenants are outside it and apply through their landlord under WH:SHF. The 0% VAT applies regardless of who pays.
Are solar grants the same across the UK?
No — devolved schemes apply, and Warm Homes: Local Grant covers England only. Scotland: Warmer Homes Scotland and Home Energy Scotland — but Home Energy Scotland funds no solar PV and no battery storage, so it is not a route to panels. Wales: Nest scheme. Northern Ireland: NISEP, run as around 15 separate schemes by 11 Scheme Managers with no central application; at most one or two cover solar and availability changes through the year, so check with that scheme's Scheme Manager. 0% VAT and SEG apply UK-wide regardless.
What was the Home Upgrade Grant and is it still available?
HUG funded energy efficiency in off-gas-grid homes 2022-2025. HUG2 closed March 2025. It has been superseded by Warm Homes: Local Grant, which runs in England only. If you are in England, WH:LG is the live equivalent — you apply on GOV.UK and the service passes you to your council.
Related guides
Costs
Solar panel costs
What solar costs if you're paying out of pocket, by system size, plus payback analysis with SEG income factored in.
See costs →Two £16,600 cost caps
Warm Homes Plan
Whole-home retrofit under two separate WH:LG cost caps of £16,600, England only. The umbrella scheme that includes WH:LG for solar.
Read WHP guide →Export tariff
Smart Export Guarantee
SEG tariff comparison and the export economics in detail.
SEG guide →Storage
Solar battery storage
When battery improves payback, sizing, and tariff combinations.
Battery guide →All grants
All UK energy grants
Every live scheme — WH:LG, BUS, and ECO Flex as the council route into ECO4 — with current eligibility criteria.
Grants hub →EPC
EPC ratings explained
Your EPC band determines WH:LG eligibility. How the bands work and how to check yours.
EPC guide →Check your solar funding routes
Start with the eligibility widget, or compare SEG tariffs at Ofgem's official league table.