Every funding route available to UK homeowners in 2026 — what each scheme offers, who qualifies, how to apply, and how Alliant helps you access the right funding.
Overview: what's available in 2026?
| Scheme | What's available |
|---|---|
| Warm Homes Plan | Up to £12,000+ in grants and 0% interest loans for qualifying households |
| ECO4 | Free solar and battery installs for eligible low-income households |
| 0% VAT on solar | No VAT on solar panels and batteries until March 2027 |
| Smart Export Guarantee | Ongoing payments for surplus electricity exported to the grid |
| Home Energy Scotland | Up to £6,000 interest-free loans for Scottish homeowners |
| Great British Insulation Scheme | Covers insulation alongside solar in some schemes |
Warm Homes Plan
The government's main domestic energy efficiency programme, backed by £13.2bn. It provides:
- Grants of up to £12,000+ for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps
- 0% interest loans for households that don't qualify for outright grants
- Eligibility for owner-occupiers, private renters and social housing tenants
- Focus on properties with EPC ratings of D or below
Eligibility is based on income, property type and existing EPC. Households on means-tested benefits or with a low EPC are most likely to qualify. Alliant handles eligibility checks and applications — no need to approach councils or energy companies.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
ECO4 requires major energy companies to fund energy efficiency for low-income and vulnerable households. For eligible homes, this can mean a fully-funded solar installation with no cost to you.
- Receiving Universal Credit, ESA, JSA or other means-tested benefits
- Property with EPC rating D, E, F or G
- Household income below the scheme threshold
- Referred by your local council under a flexible referral route
Could your household get a free installation?
A two-minute eligibility check covers all current grants — Warm Homes Plan, ECO4 and regional schemes.
0% VAT on solar panels
Solar panels, battery storage and solar installation labour are all charged at 0% VAT in the UK. Introduced in 2022, the relief runs until at least March 2027 — after that, standard 20% VAT may return.
Why this matters
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Not a grant — an ongoing income stream. Large UK suppliers pay you for every unit of solar electricity you export. Rates are currently 4p–15p per kWh; a typical 3.5kWp system earns £50–£200 a year.
To receive SEG, your install needs a valid MCS certificate. Alliant issues this with every install. Suppliers include Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, EDF and others.
Home Energy Scotland loan
Scottish homeowners can access an interest-free loan of up to £6,000 through Home Energy Scotland, covering solar, batteries and heat pumps. Repayable over up to 12 years. May be combined with UK-wide grants for significant funding overall.
Grants for renters and social housing
The Warm Homes Plan extends to private renters and social housing tenants — installation requires landlord cooperation.
Private renters: Landlords may qualify for grants to improve their rental properties. We advise both sides on the conversation.
Social housing tenants: Speak to your housing provider about their energy efficiency programme.
How to check your eligibility
Alliant's free eligibility check takes under three minutes and covers all current schemes. We'll tell you which grants you qualify for, what they cover and what happens next. If you qualify for ECO4 or Warm Homes funding, we handle the full application and installation.
