Solar panel grants in the UK (2026)
The honest answer
There is no universal grant for home solar in England. The main saving is 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, plus means-tested help and export income.
We don't earn commission steering you to a 'grant scheme', so here's what genuinely exists — and what doesn't.
Plenty of sites imply a generous solar grant exists to get your details. The reality is narrower but still useful. 0% VAT applies on residential solar and batteries until 31 March 2027 — the single biggest universal saving. Beyond that, support is targeted:
| Scheme | Who qualifies | What you get | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% VAT on solar & batteries | All GB homeowners | Saves the 5% VAT — until 31 March 2027 | Automatic via installer |
| ECO4 / Warm Homes | Low-income, low-EPC households | Free or subsidised measures | Means-tested eligibility |
| Home Energy Scotland Loan | Scottish homeowners | Interest-free loan (not a grant) | Repayable |
| Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | Anyone exporting solar | Paid per kWh exported (~12–20p) | Ongoing income, varies by supplier |
| Improving Farm Productivity grant | England farm businesses | ~25% of eligible solar cost | Not "FETF 40%" — rate differs by UK nation |
The schemes that matter most
0% VAT is automatic — your MCS installer applies it to a qualifying residential install. ECO4 / Warm Homes can fully fund measures for No general grant low-income, low-EPC homes. The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for exported surplus at ~12–20p/kWh, so it's ongoing income rather than an upfront grant.
Watch the farm-grant myth: England farm solar is funded through the Improving Farm Productivity grant at ~25%, not the widely-repeated "FETF 40%". For comparison, the heat-pump £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant does not cover solar PV at all.
Once you know what help applies, see what a system actually costs on the solar cost page or run your numbers in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a government grant for solar panels in the UK in 2026?
There is no universal grant for home solar in England. The main saving is 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Means-tested schemes (ECO4 / Warm Homes) help low-income, low-EPC households, and Scotland offers interest-free loans.
How much is the VAT saving on solar?
Residential solar panels and battery storage are zero-rated for VAT in Great Britain until 31 March 2027, after which VAT is scheduled to return to 5%. On a £7,000 system that 0% rate is a real saving versus the standard rate.
Are there grants for solar on farms or businesses?
England farm solar is supported by the Improving Farm Productivity grant at roughly 25% of eligible cost — not the often-quoted "FETF 40%". Grant rates and schemes differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and businesses can also claim capital allowances.