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Thousands of homes now access grants, interest-free loans, and fully-funded installations.", "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": "How long does a grant application take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "ECO4: 4–8 weeks. Warm Homes Plan: 8–12 weeks depending on local authority. We'll give you a realistic timeline at application." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I get a grant if my EPC is C or above?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most schemes prioritise D or below, but some higher-rated households still qualify on income grounds. The only way to confirm is an eligibility check." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I stack grants from multiple schemes?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In some cases, yes — a Scottish homeowner might access a Home Energy Scotland loan alongside Warm Homes Plan funding. We advise on the best combination for your situation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I don't qualify for grants?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar still makes strong financial sense: and 7–10 year payback. We can also advise on solar finance to spread the cost." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does my installer have to be MCS-registered?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. All government grant schemes require MCS-registered installation. Alliant works with MCS-registered installers — be cautious of any installer offering grant-funded installs without an MCS number." } } ] } ] --- [![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) Pillar guide · Grants # UK Solar Panel Grants 2026: A Complete Guide The UK government has committed £13.2bn to help households go solar. Thousands of homes now access grants, interest-free loans, and fully-funded installations. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Check My Eligibility](/solar-panel-grants) [Request a Callback](/request-callback) £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan £12k+ Per household Free ECO4 installs 0% VAT until 2027 On this page - [Overview of funding](#overview) - [Warm Homes Plan](#warm-homes) - [ECO4 free installs](#eco4) - [](#vat) - [Smart Export Guarantee](#seg) - [Home Energy Scotland](#scotland) - [Renters & landlords](#renters) - [Check eligibility](#check) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) 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 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. [Check My Eligibility](/solar-panel-grants) [Request a Callback](/request-callback) ## solar Solar panels, battery storage and solar installation labour are all charged in the UK. Introduced in 2022, the relief runs until at least March 2027 — after that, standard 2 may return. Why this matters A £9,000 solar and battery install saves you £1,800 vs the post-March 2027 rate. Installing now is materially cheaper than waiting. ## 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does a grant application take? ECO4: 4–8 weeks. Warm Homes Plan: 8–12 weeks depending on local authority. We'll give you a realistic timeline at application. ### Can I get a grant if my EPC is C or above? Most schemes prioritise D or below, but some higher-rated households still qualify on income grounds. The only way to confirm is an eligibility check. ### Can I stack grants from multiple schemes? In some cases, yes — a Scottish homeowner might access a Home Energy Scotland loan alongside Warm Homes Plan funding. We advise on the best combination for your situation. ### What if I don't qualify for grants? Solar still makes strong financial sense: and 7–10 year payback. We can also advise on solar finance to spread the cost. ### Does my installer have to be MCS-registered? Yes. All government grant schemes require MCS-registered installation. Alliant works with MCS-registered installers — be cautious of any installer offering grant-funded installs without an MCS number. 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)