How do I know if a solar grant offer is a scam?

Be wary if the offer came out of the blue, asks for payment, claims a deadline or uses government branding. Check the scheme on GOV.UK or your council's website instead of using the caller's details.

Do I have to pay to apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant?

No. GOV.UK says to apply through its own service, and that your council arranges the work if you qualify. Anyone who asks for an application fee is not offering the official route.

Can I cancel a solar contract I signed at home?

Often you can. Citizens Advice says you usually get a 14-day cooling-off period for a contract made at home. Write to the seller as soon as you change your mind.

Where do I report a solar scam?

Citizens Advice says to report phone, post and doorstep scams through its consumer service, text scams to your mobile provider, and online scams to its Scams Action service. You can also report to Action Fraud. If you paid, tell your bank at once.

Solar Grant Scams: Red Flags and How to Check an Offer

Why solar grants attract scams

Solar panels cost a lot, so many people hope for help with the bill. Scammers use that hope. They copy the names of real schemes and add urgency.

Citizens Advice reported in 2021 that scammers targeted more than 19 million adults with a green scam in one year. Email, phone calls and texts were the most common routes. That research is old, but similar tricks still appear.

A real case

In 2025 the Insolvency Service wound up a solar firm after about 80 complaints. People had received cold calls and unsolicited house visits. Customers were often promised refunds from government grants that they never received.

Sales staff also targeted people who already had panels from other companies. They pushed parts or maintenance plans with advance payments. The average age of those who complained was 76.

Warning signs

The signs below appear again and again. One alone is a reason to pause, while several together are a reason to stop.

An unexpected call, text or visit that uses government branding.
A fee to apply, or money asked for upfront.
Guaranteed eligibility or guaranteed free panels.
A deadline, such as “funding ends today”.
A request for bank login details or a quick transfer.
Pressure to sign finance on the spot.
Nothing in writing about what was agreed.

Citizens Advice says a scam can often start when someone you do not know contacts you unexpectedly. Its advice is that if someone pressures you, it is most likely a scam. Our guide to solar doorstep and cold-call scams covers visits and calls in more detail.

“Free solar panels” claims

Few offers sound better than free panels, so treat them with care. For example, Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme. Energy suppliers decide what to fund, and you may be asked to contribute. Our page on ECO4 and solar panels explains the rules, and our guide to free solar panels in the UK looks at what free can mean.

Ofgem also says you do not have to agree to work you think is unsuitable. Only agree once you have a contract. As a result, you keep control of the decision.

How to verify an offer

Do not use contact details that only the caller gave you. Instead, find the council or programme site yourself and ask whether the approach is real. For England, GOV.UK says to apply through its own service, and the council then contacts you. In Wales, start from the official Nest pages.

However, support and sales are not the same. A free assessment, a funded measure and a paid quote are different things. Ask which one is on offer and what happens to your details. Our questions to ask before you consent give you the exact wording.

Finance traps

Some sellers push a loan in the same visit. Check that the FCA authorises any lender, and read the terms away from the salesperson. Our page on solar loans and finance explains your rights, including cancellation.

Because prices vary, compare at least three quotes before you sign. Our guide to how to compare solar quotes shows what a fair comparison looks like.

If you have been targeted

If you signed a contract at home, you may have 14 days to cancel. Write to the seller and keep a copy. If you paid, talk to your bank or card company at once.

Report the scam as well, because reports help others. Citizens Advice names its consumer service for phone, post and doorstep scams. It names its Scams Action service for online ones. You can also report to Action Fraud. Forward scam texts to your mobile phone provider.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

How do I know if a solar grant offer is a scam?: Be wary if the offer came out of the blue, asks for payment, claims a deadline or uses government branding. Check the scheme on GOV.UK or your council's website instead of using the caller's details.
Do I have to pay to apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant?: No. GOV.UK says to apply through its own service, and that your council arranges the work if you qualify. Anyone who asks for an application fee is not offering the official route.
Can I cancel a solar contract I signed at home?: Often you can. Citizens Advice says you usually get a 14-day cooling-off period for a contract made at home. Write to the seller as soon as you change your mind.
Where do I report a solar scam?: Citizens Advice says to report phone, post and doorstep scams through its consumer service, text scams to your mobile provider, and online scams to its Scams Action service. You can also report to Action Fraud. If you paid, tell your bank at once.

Solar grant scams and red flags