The main routes in Wales

Most government help in Wales runs through one scheme, Nest. Two UK-wide routes sit alongside it. As a result, you have a few places to look.

Here are the routes we have checked against official pages. Each has its own page with more detail.

Nest: the Welsh Government scheme

Nest gives free advice and home improvements to help households save energy and money. For example, as of October 2026, the official pages list heat pumps, insulation and solar panels among the improvements. We found no closure or pause notice.

However, Nest is a tailored package. An adviser assesses each home, so solar is not guaranteed. The official pages do not name batteries, so ask the adviser if you want one.

Who can apply to Nest

You need to meet all of the conditions below. The rules can change, so check the official eligibility page before you apply.

  • You own your home or rent privately. Council and housing association tenants are not covered.
  • You get a qualifying benefit, or your household has a low income.
  • Your home has an EPC rating of 54 (E) or less.

If someone in your household has an eligible health condition, the EPC limit is 68 (D) or less. However, homes rated D without a qualifying condition go on a reserve list. The benefits listed include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction linked to income, and Child Tax Credit with an income test.

For the low-income route, the page sets income limits by household type. We do not copy the table here because it is long and can change. Instead, read it on the official page.

How to apply

Apply through the official Nest service, which you can start from the Welsh Government pages. After first contact, an adviser assesses your eligibility. You can also ask for a callback, and Welsh-language contact is available.

If you are unsure which benefits count, our guide to solar funding if you get benefits explains the lists across the nations. For a Wales-specific walk-through, read solar help for low-income homes in Wales.

Help that applies everywhere in Great Britain

The Smart Export Guarantee covers Wales. Suppliers must offer a rate above zero, but each one sets its own. Because of that, compare tariffs, and remember you need an MCS certified installer.

Meanwhile, installing solar panels carries 0% VAT as of October 2026. This runs until 31 March 2027, and then the rate becomes 5%. Check HMRC guidance before you rely on the date.

Borrowing and consumer protection

If you do not qualify for Nest, you may think about a loan. In that case, check that any lender is authorised on the FCA register. If a firm is not authorised, the FCA says you should avoid dealing with it.

You also have a 14-day right to cancel a credit agreement. Our page on solar loans and finance explains this in plain terms. The UK government has announced low-interest solar loans, but as of October 2026 we found no launch date.

Watch out for scams

Funding schemes attract scammers. However, real help comes through official services, not cold calls or doorstep offers. For example, you never have to agree to anything on the doorstep.

If you sign a contract at home, you have 14 days to cancel it. Our guide to solar doorstep and cold-call scams shows the warning signs. Report scams to Citizens Advice and Action Fraud.

How Wales differs from the other nations

Funding is devolved, so routes differ by nation. England’s grant is not open in Wales. By comparison, the solar funding routes in England include council-run grants and ECO4. Likewise, solar funding routes in Scotland run through Home Energy Scotland.

Where to start

Start with the Nest eligibility page and check your EPC rating. Then, because rules differ by home, compare export tariffs and ask any installer for proof of MCS certification. Our funding checker can point you to the right page. If you want prices as a separate, optional step, you can request quotes.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Can I get free solar panels in Wales?
Nest may include solar panels in a package of improvements for eligible low-income homes. The package is assessed home by home, so panels are not guaranteed. Apply through the official Nest service.
Who can apply to Nest?
You must own your home or rent privately, and get a qualifying benefit or have a low household income. Your home also needs an EPC rating of 54 (E) or less, or 68 (D) or less with an eligible health condition. Check the official eligibility page.
Does the England grant apply in Wales?
No. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is only available in England. People in Wales should look at Nest instead.
Can I be paid for exporting solar power in Wales?
Yes. The Smart Export Guarantee covers Great Britain, which includes Wales. Suppliers set their own rates, and you need an MCS certified installation and a meter that records exports.