Why funding differs by nation

Energy efficiency and fuel poverty policy is devolved. As a result, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each run their own schemes. A grant open in one nation may not exist in the next.

The Warm Homes: Local Grant, for example, is only available in England. Wales has the Nest scheme, and Scotland has Home Energy Scotland. Northern Ireland has no general solar grant for homeowners, although some income-tested schemes exist.

What is the same everywhere

Some rules cover more than one nation. Zero VAT on solar installations applies across the UK as of October 2026, until 31 March 2027. The Smart Export Guarantee covers Great Britain, so England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.

Pension Credit is a Great Britain benefit that opens several schemes. Northern Ireland uses its own income tests instead. For a closer look at benefits, see our funding pages for each nation.

Which page to read

Choose the page for the nation where your home is, not where you grew up or work. Each page lists every route that applies there, how they fit together and where to start. They also say what differs from the other nations.

Check the scheme dates

Schemes open, close and change. For example, England’s ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026, and Scotland’s main scheme stopped funding solar PV for new applicants in 2024. Therefore, read the date on each page.

We mark each page with the date we checked it. If we could not confirm a fact, we say so. In that case, follow the link to the official page.

Tenure and your home

Your nation is only the first step. Whether you own or rent also matters, and so does your EPC rating. For example, many schemes need a lower EPC band, and tenants need a landlord’s agreement.

Our guide to solar panels for renters and landlords covers the basics. Meanwhile, our guide to the EPC rating and solar funding explains how to find yours. You can search for an EPC on GOV.UK, except in Scotland, which has its own register.

Borrowing and installers

If no grant fits, you may want to borrow. Our page on solar loans and finance explains how to check a lender and your right to cancel. The same rules apply in every nation.

For any route, check the installer first. Most schemes need an MCS certified firm. As a result, asking for proof early can save you trouble later.

Not sure where to start

If you live in Northern Ireland, our guide to solar support in Northern Ireland is a good first read. Otherwise, pick your nation above. After that, read the funding guides for the route you are interested in.

Be careful with any unexpected offer. Real schemes run through official services, not cold calls. The official body decides eligibility, so we cannot promise funding. If you want installer prices as a separate, optional step, you can request quotes.

How the routes fit together

Most homes can combine more than one route. For example, a household might get a grant through a nation scheme and then claim export payments. However, some schemes cannot be blended, so ask the scheme before you assume.

In short, begin with the grant for your nation if you may qualify. Then look at the routes that apply to everyone, such as the VAT cut and export payments. Because rules change, read the date on each page.

Every nation page

The list below shows each nation page on the site. Choose the one for your home to see every route we have checked.

Pages by nation

  • Solar panel funding in England Every solar funding and support route in England, from the Warm Homes: Local Grant to ECO4, export payments, 0% VAT and loans, and where to start in 2026.
  • Solar panel funding in Scotland What solar funding is and is not available in Scotland in 2026: Home Energy Scotland, Warmer Homes Scotland, export payments, 0% VAT, and where to start.
  • Solar panel funding in Wales Every solar funding and support route in Wales in 2026: the Nest scheme, export payments, 0% VAT, loans and finance, and where to start if you qualify.
  • Solar panel funding in Northern Ireland What solar funding exists in Northern Ireland in 2026: NISEP schemes, Affordable Warmth, the VAT cut, why export payments differ, and where you can start.
FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Why does solar funding differ between UK nations?
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty policy is devolved, so each nation designs its own schemes. Some rules, such as VAT and export payments, are set UK-wide or for Great Britain. That is why a route in one nation may not exist in another.
Which nation page should I read if I rent?
Read the page for the nation where your home is. Tenants usually need the landlord's agreement for any scheme. Our guide for renters and landlords covers the basics.
Does the England grant apply in Wales or Scotland?
No. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is only available in England. Wales has Nest and Scotland has Home Energy Scotland.
What if I live in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland has no general solar grant for homeowners, but some income-tested schemes exist. The Smart Export Guarantee does not apply there. Read the Northern Ireland page for what to check.