Is ECO4 still open in October 2026?

ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. Ofgem does not say whether suppliers are taking new households before then. Suppliers decide what to fund, so ask them directly.

Can ECO4 pay for solar panels?

Sometimes. Solar PV counts as an eligible heating measure only where the home has a heat pump, high heat retention storage heaters or a similar electric heating system. The installer must be MCS certified or hold an equivalent certificate.

What happened to the Great British Insulation Scheme?

It closed. Installations had to be complete by 31 March 2026. The government said there would be no extension for it.

Is ECO4 a free grant?

No. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme. Different companies may offer different support, and you may be asked to pay part of the cost.

ECO4 and Solar Panels: Who Can Get Help Before It Ends

What ECO4 is

The Energy Company Obligation, or ECO, makes large energy suppliers pay for home upgrades. ECO4 is the current round. It covers work installed from 1 April 2022, and it runs until 31 December 2026.

The government extended ECO4 by nine months in January 2026. The Warm Homes Plan says ECO will then end. As a result, time is short.

This page is independent information. We are not a supplier, installer or government service. Ofgem and the suppliers decide who gets help, because we do not.

Who it is for

Ofgem runs ECO4 for energy suppliers. Ofgem treats only homes rated D to G on their EPC. If you rent privately, you need your landlord’s permission.

Ofgem lists several benefits that can open the door, for example Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit and income-related ESA. Councils can also refer households through a route called ECO4 Flex.

However, Ofgem says being eligible does not mean a supplier will fit anything in your home. Where you live may also change which routes you can use. See our pages on solar funding routes in England, solar funding routes in Scotland and solar funding routes in Wales.

What it can pay for

ECO4 mostly pays for insulation and heating. Solar panels are a narrow case. Ofgem’s guidance counts solar PV as an eligible heating measure only in certain homes.

The home must have one of these heating systems. It can be there already, or the project can fit it.

a hydronic heat pump
a high heat retention electric storage heater
an electric heating system with a responsiveness rating of 0.8 or higher

Each home has a solar cap of 10 kWp. In addition, the installer needs a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate, or an equivalent. We found no sign that ECO4 pays for batteries on their own, so ask your supplier.

Current status

As of 10 October 2026, ECO4 is due to end on 31 December 2026. There is no central application, since Ofgem says suppliers decide which measures they fund and which installers they use.

Ofgem does not say ECO4 is closed to new households before the end date. It does not say it is open either. Therefore, ask the supplier or installer who contacts you what they can do and by when.

The Great British Insulation Scheme has closed. The deadline for finished installations was 31 March 2026. GOV.UK says the checker service has closed, yet some suppliers still accept applications. Check with yours.

How to apply or take the next step

Start with Ofgem’s homeowners and tenants page, because it explains the routes and links to the official guidance. Your own energy supplier is a good first contact.

In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is a separate official route. Meanwhile, ECO funding cannot be mixed with other government schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or Home Upgrade Grant. The Warm Homes Plan explains where help is heading after ECO.

You can also read our guides on ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 and whether free solar panels exist in the UK.

What to check before you agree to anything

ECO is not a grant. Ofgem says different firms offer different support, so you may have to pay part of the cost. A claim of “free solar from the government” should make you stop and check.

Before you sign, work through this list. It takes a few minutes.

Turn down work you do not want. Ofgem says you never have to sign for works you think are unsuitable.
Agree only once you hold a written contract.
Check the installer’s MCS certificate on the MCS website.
If you signed at home, you usually get 14 days to cancel.
Never pay up front to “unlock” a scheme.

Quality matters too. GOV.UK says some solid wall insulation under the insulation scheme had quality issues. Ask who will put problems right, and how.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Is ECO4 still open in October 2026?: ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. Ofgem does not say whether suppliers are taking new households before then. Suppliers decide what to fund, so ask them directly.
Can ECO4 pay for solar panels?: Sometimes. Solar PV counts as an eligible heating measure only where the home has a heat pump, high heat retention storage heaters or a similar electric heating system. The installer must be MCS certified or hold an equivalent certificate.
What happened to the Great British Insulation Scheme?: It closed. Installations had to be complete by 31 March 2026. The government said there would be no extension for it.
Is ECO4 a free grant?: No. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme. Different companies may offer different support, and you may be asked to pay part of the cost.