The short version

As of October 2026, two schemes are ending or have ended. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed on 31 March 2026. The Energy Company Obligation, known as ECO4, runs until 31 December 2026.

For solar panels, ECO4 was always a narrow route. This guide explains what it covers, what is changing and where to look next. It does not promise that any scheme will fund your home.

What ECO4 is

Under ECO4, big energy suppliers fund home upgrades for some households. It covers measures installed from 1 April 2022. The government extended the end date by nine months to 31 December 2026. Ofgem adds that different companies or installers may offer different levels or types of support. So two neighbours can get very different offers.

Ofgem says plainly that ECO is not a grant scheme. Suppliers decide which measures they fund and which installers they use. In some cases, you may be asked to contribute to the cost.

There is no single national application. Instead, you deal with a supplier or an installer working for one. For that reason, be careful about who contacts you, because anyone can claim to act for a supplier.

Does ECO4 pay for solar panels?

Sometimes, but only in limited cases. Ofgem’s guidance treats solar PV as a heating measure. It applies where the home has a heat pump, a high heat retention storage heater or a qualifying electric heating system.

Other rules apply as well. The installer must be accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or an equivalent. Each home has a solar capacity cap of 10 kWp. Ofgem treats only homes rated EPC D to G.

As a result, many households who get ECO4 help receive insulation or heating, not panels. We cannot say how many, because Ofgem leaves those choices to suppliers. Our guide to your EPC rating and solar funding explains the rating rule.

Who may qualify

Ofgem lists several benefits that can open the door. They include Child Benefit, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Income Support. Local councils can also refer households through what is called ECO4 Flex.

However, Ofgem adds that eligibility does not mean a supplier will decide to install anything. ECO funding also cannot be mixed with other government grants. That includes the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

If you rent, you need your landlord’s permission. Our guide to solar panels for renters and landlords covers what each side can do.

What happened to GBIS

GBIS paid for insulation, not solar panels. GOV.UK says the eligibility service has closed and installations had to be complete by 31 March 2026. The government has said there will be no extension.

GOV.UK also notes quality issues with some solid wall insulation that installers fitted under the scheme. The Warm Homes Plan makes a similar point about poor-quality installs under ECO. Therefore, it is worth checking any work done under these schemes.

What replaces ECO4

The government has said ECO will come to an end. The Warm Homes Plan is its answer. The government published it in January 2026. It sets out investment in upgrades for low-income households, with a focus on rooftop solar, insulation and batteries. However, the plan describes aims, and each strand has its own launch timing.

In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is the live scheme today. Your council arranges the work and pays for it if you qualify and it has funding. See solar funding routes in England for the full rules.

The plan also describes low-interest solar loans. As of October 2026, we found no launch date, so check GOV.UK. Meanwhile, our solar panel finance checklist shows what to ask about any loan you are offered today.

Wales and Scotland

Both nations run their own schemes. In Wales, Nest can include solar panels for eligible homes. Read about solar funding routes in Wales and our guide to solar help for low-income homes in Wales.

In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland no longer funds solar for new applicants. Our page on solar funding routes in Scotland shows what remains. If you want a battery, see solar battery funding in the UK.

What to do now

Time matters because ECO4 ends soon. As a result, offers may get more urgent in the coming weeks, but pressure is itself a warning sign. Use these steps in order:

  • Check whether you receive a qualifying benefit.
  • Find your home’s EPC rating.
  • Look at the Warm Homes: Local Grant if you live in England.
  • Ask any caller for written details and check the firm yourself.

Never sign on the spot, because a good offer will still be there after you have read it. Ofgem says you should only agree to ECO measures once you have a contract, and you do not have to sign for work you think is unsuitable. If anyone claims a “free grant” for panels, treat the claim with care.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

When does ECO4 end?
Ofgem says ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026, after a nine-month extension. The government has said ECO is coming to an end and is not being renewed in its current form.
Can ECO4 pay for solar panels?
Only in limited cases. Ofgem's guidance allows solar PV as a heating measure where the home has certain heating, such as a heat pump or some electric heating. Suppliers decide what they fund.
Is the Great British Insulation Scheme still open?
No. GOV.UK says installations had to be complete by 31 March 2026, when the scheme ended. It may help to ask your supplier, because some were still taking applications for a time.
What replaces ECO4 for solar panels?
In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is the main current route. The Warm Homes Plan describes more support to come, but check GOV.UK for what is actually open.