--- title: "Great British Insulation Scheme and Solar: What's Covered? | Alliant Energy" description: "The Great British Insulation Scheme explained: what it covers (insulation, not solar), who qualifies, and how GBIS fits alongside solar investment. The right order matters." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "Organization", "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "alternateName": "Alliant Energy", "legalName": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png", "width": 320, "height": 80 }, "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/og-default.jpg", "description": "MCS-registered renewable energy specialists installing solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and air source heat pumps for UK homes and businesses across the North West. ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified. 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Here's what GBIS covers, who qualifies, and how it relates to solar.", "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/assets/grants-D3CQf_ef.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alliant Energy Team", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/about" }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MCS Registered Engineer", "jobTitle": "MCS Registered Engineer" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I get GBIS insulation and then solar separately?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. GBIS insulation and solar panels are separate measures under separate schemes. We recommend coordinating both — installing insulation first reduces your solar system size requirement and can reduce cost." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I already have loft insulation but it's thin?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "GBIS can fund top-up insulation to bring existing thin insulation up to the recommended 270mm depth. This is one of the most commonly funded GBIS measures." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does GBIS overlap with ECO4?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — there is deliberate overlap. GBIS is designed to catch households who don't qualify for ECO4 (e.g. not on qualifying benefits but with a low EPC). An installer will check both schemes and apply whichever is most appropriate — or both if multiple measures are needed." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does GBIS affect my EPC?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Loft insulation typically improves an EPC by around 5–10 SAP points. Combined with solar panels, a D or E-rated property can often reach B or C — important for mortgage access, rental compliance and resale value." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Spoke guide · Grants # Great British Insulation Scheme and Solar: What's Covered? GBIS doesn't directly fund solar — but the right order of energy improvements significantly affects the return on your solar investment. Here's what GBIS covers, who qualifies, and how it relates to solar. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Check your eligibility](/request-callback) [Energy saving advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) On this page - [What is GBIS?](#what) - [What GBIS covers](#covers) - [Who qualifies](#qualifies) - [How it fits with solar](#solar) - [GBIS + solar in practice](#practice) - [How to access](#access) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) GBIS launched in April 2023 with broader eligibility than ECO4. It funds a single insulation measure — most commonly loft or cavity wall insulation — and is the natural first step before a solar installation. ## What is the Great British Insulation Scheme? GBIS was launched in April 2023 as part of the government's energy efficiency programme. It sits alongside ECO4 but with broader eligibility — designed to help a wider range of households access a single insulation measure. GBIS is targeted at properties that would benefit most from insulation — homes rated EPC D or below — and makes funding available to both low-income households on benefits and a broader group of lower-income households even without qualifying benefits. ## What GBIS covers GBIS funds a single primary insulation measure per property. The most commonly installed measures are: - Loft insulation — the most cost-effective home energy improvement in the UK — saves £175–£300/year for a typical semi - Cavity wall insulation — for properties with unfilled cavity walls — saves £145–£170/year - Solid wall insulation (internal) — for pre-1920s solid-brick properties - Underfloor insulation — where accessible floor void exists - Room-in-roof insulation — for properties with converted lofts What GBIS does NOT cover GBIS does not fund solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, or EV chargers. For those measures, the Warm Homes Plan and ECO4 are the relevant schemes. ## Who qualifies for GBIS? GBIS has a two-group eligibility structure, making it more broadly accessible than ECO4: Group A — means-tested (benefits-based) Households receiving qualifying benefits (same list as ECO4), in any property regardless of EPC rating. Group B — broader eligibility Households in EPC band D or below, in council tax bands A–D, without needing to be on qualifying benefits. This is the significant expansion — homeowners with modest incomes who aren't on benefits but live in relatively poorly-insulated homes can qualify. Broader than you'd think GBIS Group B eligibility is broader than most people expect. If you own your home, it's EPC D or below, and your council tax is in bands A–D, you may qualify even if you're not on any qualifying benefits. ## How GBIS fits alongside solar GBIS matters for solar buyers for a reason that's easy to overlook: insulation should come before solar. A solar system is sized to cover a portion of your electricity demand. If you insulate after installing solar, your heating demand falls and your home retains heat better. The solar system you installed may now be slightly oversized for the reduced load — which isn't a disaster, but means you could have installed a smaller, cheaper system. Conversely, insulating before solar means the solar system is sized to your post-insulation demand — the right size, delivering optimal economics from day one. The correct sequence Insulate first, then solar. If GBIS can fund your insulation at no cost, doing it before your solar installation reduces your system size requirement and improves payback. We assess both together. ### Sequence matters We assess GBIS insulation alongside your solar plan — one team, one timeline. [Check eligibility](/request-callback) [Energy saving advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) ## The GBIS + Solar combination in practice For a homeowner with an EPC of D or E: - Step 1: Check GBIS eligibility — if qualified, access free loft or cavity wall insulation. - Step 2: Re-assess electricity demand post-insulation (particularly if you have electric heating). - Step 3: Size and install solar system based on post-insulation demand — likely 1–2 panels fewer than pre-insulation sizing. - Step 4: EPC improves with both insulation and solar — potentially moving from D to B or C, with significant mortgage, resale and rental compliance benefits. For lower-income households qualifying for both GBIS (insulation) and Warm Homes Plan (solar), the two can be coordinated as a single whole-house improvement package — potentially covering insulation, solar and battery storage at no cost. ## How to access GBIS GBIS is delivered through energy suppliers and approved installers. The process: - Contact an approved installer (like Alliant) or your energy supplier's grant team - Eligibility is checked — EPC rating, council tax band, income/benefits status - If eligible, a free survey confirms which measure is most appropriate - The measure is installed at no cost if fully funded, or with a potential contribution for some Group B measures Alliant is approved for energy efficiency installations under GBIS. We check eligibility and manage the process — including coordinating GBIS insulation with any subsequent solar installation. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I get GBIS insulation and then solar separately? Yes. GBIS insulation and solar panels are separate measures under separate schemes. We recommend coordinating both — installing insulation first reduces your solar system size requirement and can reduce cost. ### What if I already have loft insulation but it's thin? GBIS can fund top-up insulation to bring existing thin insulation up to the recommended 270mm depth. This is one of the most commonly funded GBIS measures. ### Does GBIS overlap with ECO4? Yes — there is deliberate overlap. GBIS is designed to catch households who don't qualify for ECO4 (e.g. not on qualifying benefits but with a low EPC). An installer will check both schemes and apply whichever is most appropriate — or both if multiple measures are needed. ### How does GBIS affect my EPC? Loft insulation typically improves an EPC by around 5–10 SAP points. Combined with solar panels, a D or E-rated property can often reach B or C — important for mortgage access, rental compliance and resale value. Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)