How we choose sources

We rank sources by how close they sit to the decision. Specifically, national government, regulators, councils and scheme administrators come first. Consumer bodies such as Citizens Advice and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code come next, for protection advice.

Commercial lead-generation pages are not evidence of eligibility. Neither are social media posts or forum answers. As a result, we do not use them to state who qualifies.

How we date facts

Each content page shows a “Reviewed” date. That is the day we checked its facts against the sources listed at the foot of the page. Time-sensitive facts also carry their own date, such as “As of October 2026”.

Many official pages show no date. In that case we say so, and we tell you to read the live page. Likewise, if we cannot confirm a fact on an official page, we say it is unconfirmed rather than guess.

England

The main route is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, because you apply for it on GOV.UK. Our page on the Warm Homes: Local Grant explains it. The GOV.UK scheme guidance and the council policy guidance hold the detail.

The wider plan is on GOV.UK too. Our page on the Warm Homes Plan separates what is announced from what is open. Ofgem is the source for the Energy Company Obligation, which ends on 31 December 2026. Read our page on ECO4 and solar panels for that, and our news guide to ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 for the timeline.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Home Energy Scotland runs the grant and loan scheme. Its terms say solar panels and home batteries stopped being funded after 6 June 2024. Our page on Home Energy Scotland explains what remains.

For Wales, the Welsh Government publishes the Nest pages, which we cover on our Nest page. For Northern Ireland, nidirect and the Utility Regulator publish the details. Our guide to funding routes in Northern Ireland sums them up.

Money and tax

In contrast, Ofgem publishes the rules of the Smart Export Guarantee. Our page on the Smart Export Guarantee covers it. HMRC sets the VAT rules. As of October 2026, GOV.UK shows 0% VAT on installed solar panels until 31 March 2027. Our page on zero VAT on solar has the detail.

For loans and credit, we use the Financial Conduct Authority and Citizens Advice. Our page on solar loans and finance shows how.

Consumer protection sources

Meanwhile, MCS publishes the quality mark and an installer search tool. The Renewable Energy Consumer Code publishes its rules on deposits and selling. Our guide to how to check an MCS certified installer explains how to use both.

The Competition and Markets Authority explains unfair sales practices. Citizens Advice explains your cancellation rights and how to report scams.

Key official pages by route

These are the pages we return to most. Each one is the place to confirm the current rules. Open the live page, then compare it with our summary.

  • England: the GOV.UK application page and scheme guidance for the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
  • England: Ofgem’s ECO pages for energy supplier schemes.
  • Scotland: Home Energy Scotland’s grant and loan terms.
  • Wales: the Welsh Government Nest pages and eligibility page.
  • Northern Ireland: nidirect, plus the Utility Regulator’s list of NISEP schemes.
  • Great Britain: Ofgem’s Smart Export Guarantee pages and HMRC’s VAT notice.

When the answer is unknown

Some facts are not clear on any official page. For example, Scottish pages do not say whether Warmer Homes Scotland still fits solar. Where that happens, we say the point is unconfirmed. We then name the body to ask.

This matters because a confident guess could cost you money. A clear “we could not confirm this” is more useful. It also protects you from relying on us when you should rely on the scheme.

What we do not do

We do not set eligibility, and we do not reserve funding. However, requesting installer quotes is a separate, optional step. The funding checker itself stays a private, browser-only tool.

Our editorial policy explains how we write and review. To report an error, use the complaints and corrections page. Include the page and the fact, so we can check it against the official source.

Take our summaries as a start

Even a careful summary can fall behind because budgets run out and rules change. Treat each page here as a start. Then confirm on the official page before you apply.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Where does Solar Funding get its facts?
We use official pages first, such as GOV.UK, Ofgem, the Welsh Government and Home Energy Scotland. We also use regulators and consumer bodies for protection advice. Each page lists its sources.
How often do you check your funding information?
Each page shows the date its facts were last checked. Schemes can change after that date, so always read the live official page before you apply.
Do you use installer or lead-generation websites as sources?
No. Commercial pages are not evidence that you qualify for a scheme. We only use them, if at all, to describe how the market works, never to state eligibility.
How do I report a mistake on this site?
Use our complaints and corrections page and name the page and the fact. We will check it against the official source and fix it if it is wrong.