Some eligible households in England may be offered solar panels as one of several improvements, if the council has funding and the survey recommends them. Public money pays in limited cases only. However, it depends on your income, your home and where you live. For most households, panels are something you pay for yourself.

Be wary of any offer that says “free” with no conditions. The word usually hides a cost somewhere else, such as a loan, a contract or a long tie-in. Real schemes ask about your home and your income first, so a no-questions offer should worry you.

This guide covers the main routes. Each UK nation runs its own schemes, so the rules differ. Nothing here promises that you will qualify.

England: the Warm Homes: Local Grant

In England, the main route is the Warm Homes: Local Grant. GOV.UK says you could get free energy saving improvements if you are on a low income, get certain benefits or live in a certain postcode area. Solar panels are one of the improvements your council might suggest.

However, the offer is local. The council only arranges a survey if it has funding available. If you are eligible, GOV.UK says the council arranges and pays for the agreed work.

You can read the full rules on our page about solar funding routes in England. The home must be in England, belong to you or your landlord, and have an EPC of D to G. If you do not know your rating, you can find it out when you apply.

The Warm Homes Plan and what may come next

The government published its Warm Homes Plan in January 2026. It says low-income households could get support covering the full cost of rooftop solar. The word is “could”, not “will”. Therefore, treat it as an aim.

The plan also describes low-interest solar and battery loans. As of October 2026, we found no launch date. Check GOV.UK before you rely on it.

ECO4 is not a grant

Many “free panel” adverts lean on ECO4. Ofgem is clear that ECO is not a grant scheme. Energy suppliers decide what they fund, and you may be asked to contribute.

ECO4 only covers solar in limited cases, and the type of heating in the home matters. For example, the rules name heat pumps and some electric heating. The scheme runs until 31 December 2026. Our guide to ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 explains what has changed.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

In Wales, Nest lists solar panels among the improvements it may fund. Nest is a tailored package for eligible homes, not a promise of panels. Our page on solar funding routes in Wales has the detail.

In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland stopped funding solar for people who got an application link after 6 June 2024. Look at solar funding routes in Scotland for what is still available. Meanwhile, Warmer Homes Scotland may help some households. Ask Home Energy Scotland whether solar is included.

In Northern Ireland, nidirect says there is no financial support for homeowners who want to generate their own electricity. However, the Utility Regulator lists schemes under NISEP, some of which include solar. See solar funding routes in Northern Ireland and check the official list.

Who tends to qualify

Most schemes look at three things. They check your income, any means-tested benefits and your home’s energy rating. Because each scheme sets its own limits, you may qualify for one and not another. Therefore, check each route in turn.

These guides go deeper on each point:

• Solar panel grants for pensioners
• Solar funding if you get benefits
• Your EPC rating and solar funding

How to spot a false offer

A court case shows how this goes wrong. The Insolvency Service shut down a solar firm after 80 complaints about cold calls and unsolicited visits. The firm promised customers refunds from government grants, and they never got them.

Complainants in that case averaged 76, so older people can be at particular risk. Use these checks before you agree to anything:

• Did you ask for the contact, or did they approach you?
• Is the firm asking for a payment up front?
• Can you get the offer in writing, with the full price?
• Is the installer MCS certified, and can you check that on the MCS site?

You never have to decide on the spot. If you sign a contract at home, you usually have 14 days to cancel it.

If you pay for panels yourself

Without a grant, you can still cut the cost. GOV.UK shows VAT on installing solar panels at 0% until 31 March 2027, then 5%. Since suppliers pay for surplus power under the Smart Export Guarantee, you may also earn a little back. Our guide to choosing a Smart Export Guarantee tariff shows how to compare offers.

If you want prices, you can ask installers for quotes through our quote request page. That is optional and separate from any funding check.

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.

MCS is the UK’s quality mark for renewable energy systems like solar panels and heat pumps. It sets the standards you should expect from an installer and the products they use. An MCS certified installer has met those standards.

This matters for your money, not just your roof, because some funding and export payments depend on it. We are an independent information site. Use this guide as a starting point, and confirm details on the official pages.

Why MCS matters for payments and grants

Several routes ask for MCS. If you miss it, you could lose out on money that you would otherwise get. For example, the main cases are in the list below.

• Smart Export Guarantee: GOV.UK says you must show that your installation and installer are certified through MCS, or a scheme accredited as equivalent.
• Warm Homes: Local Grant in England: solar panels must use an MCS approved product and an MCS certified installer.
• ECO4: Ofgem guidance says solar panels need an installer accredited under MCS or an alternative certification scheme.
• Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan: MCS says your installer must be MCS certified and use MCS certified products.

Read our guides to the Smart Export Guarantee, Home Energy Scotland and the Warm Homes: Local Grant for the full rules. The Smart Export Guarantee covers Great Britain only. In Northern Ireland, MCS still shows an installer has met a recognised standard, although a different export system applies there. See solar funding routes in Northern Ireland.

Step 1: Ask for the certificate number

Ask any installer for their MCS details before you discuss price. A genuine firm will be happy to share them, because it has nothing to hide. If they dodge the question, treat that as a warning.

Write down the business name exactly as they give it. Then ask for the name of the person who will lead the job. You will need both for the next step, since scammers often use names that sound close to real firms.

Step 2: Check the MCS website yourself

MCS offers a tool to find an MCS certified installer and to check whether a business is certified. Use that tool, and do not rely on a logo on a leaflet or van. Logos are easy to copy, whereas the search result comes from the register.

Type the business name into the search. Compare the name and address with your quote. If the business does not appear, ask the installer to explain before you go any further, because a missing entry is a real problem.

Step 3: Look for a consumer code

A consumer code adds a second layer of protection. The Renewable Energy Consumer Code advises you to deal with a company that belongs to the code and holds MCS certification. The code covers high-pressure selling, and it sets a maximum deposit of 25%.

Another body, HIES, says its accredited installers operate under an approved consumer code. It also acts as an MCS approved financial protection provider. However, installers in the redeveloped MCS scheme do not always have to join a consumer code. Therefore, ask each firm directly which code it follows.

Step 4: Check how they sell

Good installers explain, quote in writing and give you time, while poor ones push you to decide on the spot. Compare how the firm behaves with this short list.

• Does the firm give you a written quote with the system size and parts?
• Do they let you take time and compare other quotes?
• Is the deposit 25% or less of the final price?
• Do they explain your right to cancel?

The Renewable Energy Consumer Code recommends at least three quotes before you sign. That gives you a fair view of the market. It also helps you spot an offer that looks too good to be true, since you can see the usual range.

Step 5: Match the paperwork to the funding

Funding schemes have their own checks, so match them up. In England, the council running the grant arranges the work with you. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland gives advice on its grant and loan. See solar funding routes in England and solar funding routes in Scotland for where to start.

Never let an installer apply for funding for you without explaining what they are doing. The official body decides who qualifies, not the installer. Therefore, if someone says they can guarantee a grant, walk away.

Red flags that should stop you

Some signs suggest a firm is not what it claims, although one alone may not prove it. A genuine, certified installer rarely does these things. If you spot more than one, stop and check again.

• They turn up or phone without being asked.
• They say the panels are free, or that a grant covers everything.
• They refuse to share MCS details or give them only as a logo.
• They demand a large payment today.
• They claim to be from the government, your council or your energy supplier.

Our guide on free solar panels explains what public money really covers. Our piece on solar doorstep and cold-call scams lists more tricks. Older homeowners may also want to read about solar panel grants for pensioners and solar funding if you get benefits.

What to do after your checks

Keep a copy of the MCS certificate and your contract. You may need them later to claim export payments or to back up a complaint. If you have already paid and feel unsure, contact your bank or card company straight away, because speed helps.

While you compare installers, remember that you can ask for more quotes. Our optional quote request page lets you ask for installer quotes, which is a separate step from checking funding.

A home battery stores spare electricity from your solar panels. You can then use it in the evening instead of buying it from the grid. It can also charge from the grid at cheaper times, if your tariff offers them.

How much you save depends on your bills, your tariff and how much power you use. We cannot promise any saving. For example, a home that is empty all day may export most of its solar power, while a home with someone in all day may use more of it directly.

Because a battery adds to the upfront cost, it pays to ask what it would do for your own use. An installer should explain this in plain terms, and should not simply quote a headline figure. If they cannot, that is a sign to look elsewhere.

Zero VAT on batteries

The clearest help is a tax cut, not a grant. HMRC guidance says electrical storage batteries installed in homes qualify for a zero rate of VAT from 1 February 2024. That covers a battery added to existing solar panels, a standalone battery, and one that charges from both sources.

As of October 2026, the zero rate runs until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027, the reduced rate of 5% applies. Heat batteries, which store heat rather than electricity, fall outside the relief. Read more on zero VAT on solar, and check GOV.UK in case the date has changed.

England: batteries come with solar

In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund a battery, but only alongside solar panels. Official guidance says batteries can only be installed where they complement existing or new solar panels. It also says the system must use MCS approved products and an MCS certified installer.

The scheme has a short history for batteries. Guidance says they became an eligible measure in June 2025, yet a pause started in November 2025. Councils could restart installing them from 2 February 2026.

However, this is not an entitlement. The grant depends on your income or benefits, your home and your council’s funding. See solar funding routes in England for the full picture, or the Warm Homes: Local Grant page for how to apply.

The Warm Homes Plan and loans

The Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, says government support for fuel-poor households will focus on rooftop solar alongside insulation, clean heat and home batteries. It also announced planned low-interest loans for solar and batteries. Those loans depend on further approval, and we found no launch date as of 10 October 2026.

Therefore, treat any firm that claims you can apply for a government battery loan today with great care. Check GOV.UK for news first. Our guide to solar panel finance lists what to ask before you sign any credit deal.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Each nation has its own rules, since funding is devolved. As of October 2026, here is what the official pages show.

• Scotland: the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan stopped funding solar panels and batteries for people who got an application link after 6 June 2024.
• Wales: Nest lists heat pumps, insulation and solar panels. We could not confirm that it covers batteries, so ask Nest.
• Northern Ireland: a Utility Regulator list for April 2026 to March 2027 names battery storage in one income-tested scheme. Check the list to see if it still has funds.

For the Scottish picture, read about Home Energy Scotland and solar funding routes in Scotland. Home Energy Scotland also runs a Funding Finder tool where you enter your postcode. Warmer Homes Scotland lists a home renewables system among its measures, but we could not confirm whether that includes solar or batteries, so ask before you apply.

Export payments and your battery

If you have solar panels, the Smart Export Guarantee pays you for power you send back to the grid. GOV.UK says a home battery that can import and export could also earn payments. Ask your chosen supplier before you buy, since terms vary.

The Smart Export Guarantee covers Great Britain only. You need a meter that can record half-hourly exports, as well as an MCS certified installation. Rates come from suppliers, so no national rate exists.

Renters and landlords

If you rent, you need your landlord’s agreement before anyone fixes panels or a battery to the building. Landlord contributions may also apply, because some schemes ask owners to pay part of the cost. Our guide to solar panels for renters and landlords explains the main points.

How to avoid false claims

Battery offers attract high-pressure selling. A caller who says the government will pay for your battery, or that it is free, is making a promise that official pages do not back up. Read our guide on free solar panels to see what public money does and does not cover.

Check your installer before you pay anything, because a poor fitting can cost you for years. Our steps on how to check an MCS certified installer take only a few minutes. Also read about solar doorstep and cold-call scams, because batteries are a common hook.

Finally, ask for a written quote that lists the battery size and what it costs. While you compare, keep the funding question apart from the sales pitch. If you want to compare installers, you can request quotes through our optional quote request page. That step is separate from checking any funding, and the official body decides whether you qualify.

A scam often starts when someone you do not know contacts you unexpectedly. It might be a knock at the door, a phone call, a text or an email, so stay alert in every case. Citizens Advice says that if someone pressures you or contacts you out of the blue, it is most likely a scam.

Not every unexpected visit is a scam, yet caution costs you nothing. You never have to agree to anything on the doorstep. Take time, ask for details in writing, and check every claim yourself.

A real case to learn from

In November 2025, GOV.UK reported that the Insolvency Service wound up a solar panel firm. Specifically, it said there were 80 complaints to Trading Standards and Action Fraud about cold calls and unsolicited house visits. Customers were often promised refunds from government grants that they never received.

Sales staff targeted people who already had solar panels fitted by other companies. They persuaded them to buy parts or maintenance plans with advance payments. The average age of those who complained was 76. As a result, older homeowners need to take particular care.

Common warning signs

Scammers use the same tricks again and again, so knowing them makes you harder to fool. Look out for the signs in the list below.

• Someone you do not know contacts you and starts talking about grants.
• You are asked to transfer money quickly or to pay in advance.
• You are asked to give away personal information, such as bank details.
• You get no written confirmation of what has been agreed.
• The caller says the offer ends today, or that only a few places are left.

Citizens Advice lists these as red flags for scams in general, and they fit solar sales well. If you notice two or more, stop and check.

Fake grant claims

A false claim about a grant is a common trick. Callers say the government will pay for your panels, or that you are owed a refund. In reality, real schemes have rules, and funding is never guaranteed.

For example, the English Warm Homes: Local Grant starts with an online check on GOV.UK, not a phone call. GOV.UK tells people to apply only on GOV.UK, and the council then contacts you if funding is available. Our guide to free solar panels explains what public money really covers.

ECO4 works differently again, because suppliers run it. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme, and energy suppliers choose what they fund. It also says you should only agree to measures after you receive a contract, and you do not have to sign for work you think is unsuitable. Our guide to ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 covers what has changed, and the ECO4 scheme page has the basics.

Pressure selling and finance tricks

Some firms push you to sign on the spot. They may offer a “special price” that disappears when they leave. That is pressure, whereas a good firm will give you time to think.

Finance can add another layer of risk. A salesperson may arrange credit for you, yet bury the cost in the small print. Check who the lender is on the FCA Financial Services Register, and compare the total you will repay. Read our guide to solar loans and finance before you sign anything.

Know your cancellation rights

You usually have time to change your mind. Citizens Advice says you get a 14-day cooling-off period for services bought at home when the cost is £42 or more. The period begins the day after you enter the contract.

Therefore, cancel in writing and keep a copy. Credit agreements often have their own 14-day right to cancel too, since the Consumer Credit Act covers many of them. Ask the lender to confirm it.

Protect yourself before you pay

A few simple habits cut your risk a great deal, and none of them takes long. Use them every time someone offers you solar panels.

• Say you will think about it, and close the door or end the call.
• Check the company name, address and MCS details yourself.
• Get at least three written quotes before you decide.
• Pay by a secure method, such as a credit card.
• Ask a trusted friend or family member to read the contract.

Citizens Advice says credit cards offer the most protection, followed by PayPal or a debit card. For help with checking a firm, read how to check an MCS certified installer. The same advice applies in every nation, so see solar funding routes in England, in Wales and in Northern Ireland for the real schemes.

Extra care for older people and those on benefits

Pensioners and people on low incomes are often targeted, so take extra care. Read about solar panel grants for pensioners and solar funding if you get benefits to see which routes are real. If you help a relative, sit with them when a salesperson visits, because a second opinion often stops a rushed decision.

Where to report a scam

Reporting helps stop others being caught, because agencies can then act. Citizens Advice says offline scams, such as telephone, post and doorstep, can go to the Citizens Advice consumer service. You can also report the scam to Action Fraud.

Forward scam texts to 7726, the free spam-text reporting number. If you have handed over money, talk to your bank or card company straight away, since speed gives you the best chance of help.

If you want genuine quotes

Once you are safe, you may still want solar panels. While you decide, you can compare installers through our optional quote request page. That is a separate step, because we do not decide who qualifies for any grant.

Most solar funding in the UK is aimed at low-income households. Schemes use certain means-tested benefits as a quick test of need. If you get one, you may not need to prove your income in detail.

However, each nation runs its own scheme. The benefit lists are not the same, so a benefit that works in one place may not work in another. This guide compares them as of October 2026.

Qualifying is only one step. The home, the scheme’s funding and the local delivery team all matter too. For example, a council with no money left cannot fund your work, even if you meet every test. Therefore, treat a qualifying benefit as a good start rather than a promise.

England: the Warm Homes: Local Grant

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is for homes in England. The official council guidance gives a closed list of qualifying benefits. It says the list “includes and is limited to” these:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit (savings and guarantee)
• Universal Credit

Anyone in the household can be the person who gets the benefit, other than lodgers or adults in full-time education. The list may be updated while the scheme runs. See solar funding routes in England for the full picture.

You do not need a benefit to qualify. GOV.UK says household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less. You can also qualify by living in a certain postcode area.

Wales: Nest

Nest uses a different list. As of October 2026, the Welsh Government names these benefits:

• Child Tax Credit, with individual income below £18,660 a year
• Council Tax Reduction related to income
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

Notice that Child Tax Credit comes with an income limit, so it does not work for everyone who gets it. Nest also has a low-income route and a health-condition route. See our page on solar funding routes in Wales for how they fit together.

Your home matters here as well. It needs a low energy rating, and you must own it or rent privately. Our guide to your EPC rating and solar funding covers this.

Scotland: Warmer Homes Scotland

Scotland works differently. The main Home Energy Scotland grant and loan no longer funds solar for new applicants. However, Warmer Homes Scotland is for households that may be in or at risk of fuel poverty. Check Home Energy Scotland for current availability.

That scheme uses “passport benefits”. Examples on its page include Adult Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and Pension Credit Guarantee. The full list is on the Home Energy Scotland site. Our page on solar funding routes in Scotland explains the wider picture.

As of October 2026, we could not confirm whether it still installs solar. Ask Home Energy Scotland before you assume. Our step-by-step guide to solar funding in Scotland walks through the process.

How the three lists compare

Pension Credit and Universal Credit appear on all three lists. Child Tax Credit appears only in Wales, and with an income test. Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance appear on the English list.

So the same household can qualify in one place and not in another. That is normal because each government sets its own rules. It is not a mistake, and it is not a reason to doubt a scheme.

ECO4 and benefits

ECO4 also uses benefits as a test. Ofgem lists Child Benefit, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and others. However, Ofgem warns that eligibility does not mean a supplier will install anything.

ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. Read ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 before you act on an offer. Ofgem also says ECO funding cannot be mixed with other government grants. Because of that, a supplier may ask which other schemes you have used.

What to have ready

Schemes may ask you to show your circumstances. Your needs will differ, so read each official page. In general, it helps to keep these to hand:

• the name and number of each benefit you get
• a recent award letter or statement
• the names of everyone who lives in your home
• your latest EPC, if you have one
• your landlord’s details, if you rent

For Nest’s health route, the Welsh Government says you may need evidence such as prescriptions or GP or hospital documents. Never send documents to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Instead, use the official page for your nation and start from there.

Batteries and extra costs

Some schemes also cover batteries that work alongside solar panels. Rules vary by nation, so read our guide to solar battery funding in the UK. If a scheme asks you to pay anything, get the figure in writing first. Ofgem says that in some ECO cases you may be asked to contribute. Similarly, landlords in England may need to pay for part of the work.

If you want to borrow instead, use our solar panel finance checklist to compare loans before you sign.

Solar panels cost thousands of pounds, so many people pay over time. However, the finance deal can add a lot to the price. This checklist helps you spot a poor deal before you sign.

We are an independent information site, not a lender or broker. Nothing here counts as financial advice, and we cannot promise any deal or saving. For a wider view of your options, read our guide to solar loans and finance.

Know the main ways to pay

Most people use one of four routes. Each has different costs, and each gives you different protections.

• Cash or savings, which avoids interest but ties up your money.
• A personal loan from a bank or building society, with a fixed monthly payment.
• Credit offered through the installer, often arranged at the point of sale.
• A green mortgage or a larger mortgage, which spreads the cost over many years.

The Warm Homes Plan mentions green mortgages that offer cashback for home improvements. It also says some people may add to their mortgage, while others may take a separate loan. A longer term lowers the monthly bill, but you usually pay more interest in total.

Check the cost, not just the monthly payment

A low monthly figure can hide a high price, so ask for the APR, the term, and the total you will repay. Then compare that total with the cash price of the same system.

For example, a deal sold as “0% interest” may raise the cash price to cover the cost of the credit. Therefore, ask for the cash price and the finance price in writing. If the two differ by a lot, you pay for the credit one way or another.

Also ask about fees for paying early. Some loans charge you if you settle ahead of time, so you cannot always clear the debt when your money improves.

Check who is lending the money

Almost all firms that provide financial services in the UK need authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA says its Firm Checker will tell you whether a firm has permission to sell the product. If a firm lacks that permission, the FCA says you should avoid dealing with it.

Use the FCA Financial Services Register and type in the lender’s name. Do not rely on a logo or a leaflet, because anyone can print those. A firm that is only registered, not authorised, may leave you without the Financial Ombudsman Service or the compensation scheme.

Know your cancellation rights

You may have time to change your mind. Citizens Advice says you can cancel a credit agreement under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 within 14 days of signing. If you already have the money, you must pay it back, although the lender must give you 30 days to do so.

Separately, a contract you sign at home usually has a 14-day cooling-off period. This right covers sales made away from the trader’s premises, and it starts the day after you enter the contract. Keep a copy of every document, because you will need the dates if you cancel.

Think about how you pay

How you pay can protect you if things go wrong. Citizens Advice says credit cards offer the most protection, followed by PayPal or a debit card. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, you can claim from your card provider for items costing over £100 and up to £30,000.

However, Section 75 does not usually apply if you did not buy directly from the trader. A loan from a separate lender may therefore not give you the same cover. Ask your card provider or Citizens Advice before you rely on it.

Watch out for big deposits and pressure

A large upfront payment is a warning sign. The Renewable Energy Consumer Code says you should not need to pay more than 25% of the final price as a deposit. It also recommends getting at least three quotes, since that shows you what a fair price looks like.

Never feel rushed. A firm that says a price is “only valid today” is using pressure, not giving you a deal. Our guide to solar doorstep and cold-call scams explains the tactics to watch for.

Check the installer and the system

Finance does not fix a poor installation, so check your installer before you borrow anything. Our guide on how to check an MCS certified installer shows you how.

Then look at what the quote includes. Ask whether it covers scaffolding and the paperwork for export payments. If you want a battery, read our explainer on funding for solar batteries first, because it changes the price.

Check the tax and the grants

Your quote should reflect the VAT position. As of October 2026, HMRC guidance sets a zero rate of VAT on installing solar panels at home until 31 March 2027, then 5% from 1 April 2027. Read more on zero VAT on solar, and check GOV.UK before you rely on that date.

Grants work differently from loans. The Warm Homes Plan says low-income households could get help with solar panels, and it also announced planned loans. However, we found no launch date for those loans as of 10 October 2026, so read about the Warm Homes Plan for the latest.

Funding rules differ by nation, because each one runs its own schemes. See solar funding routes in England and solar funding routes in Scotland. Readers in Northern Ireland can start with solar support in Northern Ireland.

If you rent, your options differ again. Our guide to solar panels for renters and landlords covers that.

A short checklist to take with you

Print or copy these points before you meet an installer or lender. They take a few minutes to check, yet they can save you a lot of money. If an answer is vague, ask again or walk away.

• Does the FCA register show the lender as authorised?
• What are the APR, the term and the total you repay?
• What is the cash price compared with the finance price?
• Can you cancel, and by when?
• Is the deposit 25% or less of the final price?
• Does the installer hold certification, and do you have a written contract?

We found no official scheme that pays for solar panels because of your age alone. As of October 2026, the official pages we checked offer nothing pensioner-specific. Instead, older people usually qualify through a benefit such as Pension Credit, or through a low income.

That is good news for many retired households. For example, if you get a qualifying benefit, you may already meet the main test. However, funding is limited and the scheme decides, not us.

This guide shows which routes to look at first. It does not promise that you will get help.

Why Pension Credit matters

Pension Credit tops up the weekly income of people at State Pension age. GOV.UK says it covers England, Scotland and Wales, so it is not available in Northern Ireland. Savings under £10,000 do not affect whether you can claim.

Pension Credit appears on three official lists. These are the schemes that name it:

• the Warm Homes: Local Grant in England
• Nest in Wales
• Warmer Homes Scotland

Check GOV.UK for the current weekly amounts, because they change. If you think you might qualify but do not claim, it is worth asking about it. Claiming could open more than one door. It may also raise your weekly income, which is useful in its own right.

England

In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant counts Pension Credit as a qualifying benefit. Any member of the household, other than lodgers or adults in full-time education, can be the person who gets it. You can also qualify by income or by living in a certain postcode area.

Your home must be in England and have an EPC of D to G. Our guide to your EPC rating and solar funding explains how to check yours. Our page on solar funding routes in England lists the other routes.

Solar panels are one possible improvement. Your council only arranges a survey if it has funding available, so there is no guarantee. After you apply online, GOV.UK says the council will usually contact you within 10 working days. The council then decides which improvements suit your home.

Wales

In Wales, Nest lists Pension Credit as a qualifying benefit. You must own your home or rent privately. The home also needs an EPC rating of E or lower, or D or lower if someone in the household has an eligible health condition.

Nest assesses each home and builds a tailored package. Solar panels are one of the improvements it lists, but not every home gets them. As of October 2026, the official Nest pages show no closure notice. Even so, check the eligibility page before you apply, because rules can change. See our page on solar funding routes in Wales for more.

Scotland

In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland is the place to start. Its main grant and loan no longer funds solar for new applicants. However, Warmer Homes Scotland is aimed at people who may be in or at risk of fuel poverty.

That scheme lists Pension Credit Guarantee among its passport benefits. It also has a route for a household that includes someone aged 75 or over with no working heating. Whether it still installs solar is unconfirmed, so ask Home Energy Scotland directly. Our page on solar funding routes in Scotland has the latest.

Benefits beyond Pension Credit

Other benefits can matter too. Each scheme keeps its own list, and the lists differ. For a side-by-side view, read solar funding if you get benefits.

Also look at ECO4 and solar panels in 2026. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026 and suppliers choose what they fund. Qualifying does not mean a supplier will fit anything, because Ofgem says eligibility is not a guarantee of work.

What the Winter Fuel Payment does not do

The Winter Fuel Payment is not solar funding. GOV.UK describes it as between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills this winter. It says nothing about home improvements.

If a caller links it to panels, treat that as a warning sign. Real schemes do not work that way. Most people get the payment automatically, so be wary of anyone who asks for your bank details to release it.

Doorstep pressure and scams

Older people are a target. The Insolvency Service shut down a solar firm after 80 complaints about cold calls and unsolicited visits. The average age of the people who complained was 76, and some were promised refunds from government grants that never came.

Use these steps if someone approaches you:

• You never have to agree on the doorstep, so say you will think about it.
• Ask for the offer in writing, with the full price.
• Do not pay a deposit or hand over bank details on the spot.
• Ask a trusted friend or relative to read it with you.

If you sign a contract at home, Citizens Advice says you usually get a 14-day cooling-off period. Our finance checklist for solar panels lists the questions to ask before you sign.

If you do not qualify

You may still have choices. Some councils run group-buying schemes where residents register and installers bid. These are discounts, not grants, and they come in short rounds. Read about council solar schemes and group buying and check your own council’s website.

Solar panels attach to the roof, and the roof belongs to your landlord. Because of that, a tenant cannot simply order a system. You need written permission first, and most funding routes ask for it too.

This guide covers both sides. Tenants will see what may be open to them, while landlords will see what the rules expect. We are an independent information site, and the official body for each scheme decides who qualifies.

If you rent in England

The Warm Homes: Local Grant can cover privately rented homes. GOV.UK says the home must be privately owned, either by you or your landlord, with an EPC of D, E, F or G. If you do not know your EPC, you can find it out when you apply.

The grant also depends on income, benefits or your postcode area. Your council decides whether it has funding, and it organises any work it agrees with you. Policy guidance says tenants are not expected to contribute, although funding is never guaranteed. Read the Warm Homes: Local Grant page for the main steps, and see solar funding routes in England for the wider picture.

However, your landlord has a role. GOV.UK says that if you have a landlord, they may need to pay for some of the improvements. Ask them early, because the work changes their building.

What landlords may have to pay

Under the English grant, a private landlord may get one home fully funded. Policy guidance says a 50% cost contribution applies for any further homes upgraded after the first. Social housing landlords must pay 50% as well.

So, if you let several homes, plan for that cost. Owner-occupiers do not need to contribute under the same scheme. Still, funding depends on the council, so no landlord can count on a place.

Also note that ECO4 help for a rented home needs the landlord’s consent. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026, and suppliers choose what they fund. Read our guide to ECO4 and solar panels before you assume anything, since the rules are changing.

Energy standards for rented homes

Landlords in England and Wales already face a minimum energy standard. GOV.UK guidance says it applies to homes with an EPC rating of F or G on certain tenancy types. Landlords must take appropriate steps to comply, although they do not need to spend more than £3,500 including VAT.

The Warm Homes Plan says the government plans to go further. It proposes that landlords upgrade homes to EPC band C by October 2030, with a spending cap of £10,000, unless they have an exemption. As of October 2026 these are proposals, not rules. Therefore, check GOV.UK for updates.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Funding is devolved, so the rules differ in each nation. As of October 2026, the official pages show the following for private tenants.

• Wales: Nest covers owner-occupiers and private tenants, not council or housing association tenants. You must meet its benefit or income tests, and your home needs a low EPC rating.
• Scotland: Warmer Homes Scotland covers people who own their home or rent from a private landlord, if they meet its rules. We could not confirm whether it includes solar, so ask Home Energy Scotland.
• Northern Ireland: the Affordable Warmth Scheme covers private tenants under an income limit. It does not list solar among its measures, and private landlords must pay 50%.

For Welsh readers, see the Nest scheme in Wales and solar funding routes in Wales. Every scheme has its own limits, because each government sets its own rules. Read the official page before you apply.

Earning from exported power

If a system is fitted, the Smart Export Guarantee may pay for the power you send to the grid. The rules cover Great Britain only. You need an MCS certified installation and a meter that records exports.

Our explainer on the Smart Export Guarantee sets out the details. In a rented home, ask who holds the export contract before work starts, since the tenant and landlord could each expect the income. Put the answer in writing.

Practical steps for tenants

Take it one step at a time. Each of these steps costs nothing, yet it protects you.

• Ask your landlord in writing, and keep their reply.
• Find your EPC on the GOV.UK service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Check the official scheme page before you share personal details.
• Never pay a deposit to a caller who says the panels are free.

Beware of pressure, because sellers target tenants too. Our guide on free solar panels shows what public money really covers, and our piece on solar doorstep and cold-call scams shows common tricks. Older tenants may also want to read about solar panel grants for pensioners.

Practical steps for landlords

Landlords should check who does the work, because the building stays theirs long after the installers leave. Our steps on how to check an MCS certified installer apply to you as well. Ask for the contract in writing, and keep every certificate with your property records.

Finally, tell your tenants what is happening and when. Disruption is easier to accept while people know the plan. If you want to compare installer quotes, our optional quote request page is one way to start.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient your home is. It gives a band from A, the best, to G, the worst. GOV.UK says an EPC is valid for 10 years.

Solar funding schemes use that band as a test. They aim help at less efficient homes. For that reason, a lower band can help you qualify, while a higher band can rule you out.

This guide explains the rules as of October 2026. It does not promise funding, and each scheme makes its own decision.

England: the Warm Homes: Local Grant

The Warm Homes: Local Grant needs an EPC of D, E, F or G. Homes rated A to C are not eligible. The home must also be in England and privately owned, by you or your landlord.

You do not have to find your rating first. GOV.UK says that if you do not know your home’s EPC, you can find it out when you apply. For the full set of rules, see solar funding routes in England.

The grant is the first step towards the aims in the Warm Homes Plan. Your council still decides what to fund, and funding is local. For example, one council may have money for panels while a neighbouring one does not.

Wales: Nest

Nest uses the band in a stricter way. As of October 2026, the Welsh Government asks for a rating of 54 (E) or less. If someone in the household has an eligible health condition, a rating of 68 (D) or less can count.

Homes rated D without a qualifying condition go on a reserve list. You can read how the other tests work on our page about solar funding routes in Wales. Always check the official eligibility page, because the pages are undated.

ECO4 and other schemes

ECO4 uses the same band test. Ofgem says only homes in bands D to G can be treated. The scheme runs until 31 December 2026, so time is short.

Since each scheme sets its own band, a certificate that works for one may not work for another. Therefore, write down your band and its date before you start. It will save you time on every form.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland keeps EPCs on its own register. The Scottish Government says you can check whether your home has one by searching with your postcode. Not every older certificate is on it.

In Northern Ireland, nidirect says an EPC is valid for 10 years and held on a national register. The GOV.UK finder covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a result, you can search one service for all three.

How to find your EPC

Use the right service for your nation. Try these steps:

• Go to the GOV.UK “Find an energy certificate” service in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Search by postcode, by street name and town, or by certificate number.
• In Scotland, use the Scottish EPC Register instead.
• Look for the date, because an old certificate may be out of date.

If you cannot find one, you may not have one. Scotland also notes that central lodgement was phased in, so an older certificate may be missing from the register.

When to get a new EPC

A new EPC can be worth it if yours has expired or does not exist. GOV.UK says you can find an accredited assessor, and that the cost varies by assessor and the size of the property.

However, do not rush into it. A new certificate reflects your home today, so your band could go up or down. For the English grant, you can learn your band during the application. Therefore, ask the scheme what it needs before you pay.

Landlords and tenants

Rented homes have extra rules. In England and Wales, a property with an EPC of F or G that is let on certain tenancy types must meet a minimum standard. Landlords are not currently required to spend more than £3,500 including VAT on improvements.

The Warm Homes Plan says the government plans to ask landlords to reach EPC band C by October 2030, with a spending cap of £10,000. These are proposals, not rules yet, so check GOV.UK for updates. Our guide to solar panels for renters and landlords covers what each side can do.

What your band does not tell you

Your EPC band does not show whether solar panels will suit your roof, although it may hint at how efficient the home is. It also does not show what panels would cost. For that, you need a proper survey, because roofs and budgets differ.

Before you sign for anything, read how to check an MCS certified installer and how to compare solar quotes. If you plan to add a battery, see solar battery funding in the UK. If you want to borrow, work through our solar panel finance checklist first.