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Government Grants For Solar Panels UK
£10,000 in Free Grants to Install Solar in Your Home
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Up to £40,000 in Funding Available from GOV.UK
How do the grants work?
Free grant funding is available to eligible households for a range of solar panel solutions.
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Up to £40,000 in Funding Available from GOV.UK
IT’S a NO-BRAINER: Get a free £10,000 grant towards a Solar installation
Government funding means you could be eligible for £1000s
Local Authorities have funding grants available to eligible households to help boost the energy efficiency of their homes. Low-income households (under £31,000) are eligible for grants under the scheme which aims to improve the energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings of low energy efficiency properties (those in bands D-G) through home improvements, including Solar PV, loft insulation and underfloor insulation.
What is the Government Solar Panels Program 2023?
Funding is available to households under the government-backed ECO4 Scheme. Grants for solar panels will help households with low energy efficiency homes who are considered likely to face financial difficulties heating their homes.
The changes to the ECO4 Scheme means that funding is available not just to those who are claiming benefits as was previously the case under ECO3. Under ECO4, 50% of measures will be delivered under LA Flex, meaning more help for those not on benefits, but who are still classed as a ‘low income’ household.
Those who install solar panels could benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which came into effect in 2020 and enables households to receive payments for the surplus energy they export back to the grid. All homeowners with standard solar panel systems are eligible for payments under the SEG.
Can I get a solar panel grant?
The Energy Company Obligation scheme transitioned from ECO3 to ECO4 in Summer 2022. The new ECO4 scheme allows people to apply to have solar panels installed with the possibility of them being fully-funded.
The Energy Companies Obligations (ECO) scheme is backed by the UK government and obligates the largest energy suppliers – including npower, E.ON and British Gas, SSE, EDF, Scottish Power and others – to help households improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy bills.
You might not be eligible to get a solar panel grant, or get a grant to cover the full cost of solar installation, but if you opt to pay for it yourself, the solar energy bills savings can very quickly add up to pay for the cost of installation over time.
Up to £40,000 in Funding Available from GOV.UK
Business Grants
Disabled Grants
Scotland Grants
Wales Grants
Pensioner Grants
School Grants
Solar Panel Grant FAQs
So, how do you qualify for free solar panels?
To be eligible ECO4 funding and receive a solar panel grant, you must receive:
- Income-based Jobseekers allowance
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Tax Credits (Child or Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
You may also qualify if your household income is below a certain threshold AND you are in receipt of Child benefits. These thresholds vary depending on how many children you have and whether you are a single or two-parent household.
Single-parent households:
- One child – £19,800
- Two children – £24,600
- Three children – £29,400
- Four or more children – £34,200
Two-parent households:
- One child – £27,300
- Two children – £32,100
- Three children- £36,900
- Four or more children – £41,700
If you think you may be eligible for the ECO scheme, you can apply through your energy supplier directly or click here to find out more.
What is the ECO4 scheme?
The ECO4 scheme is a government initiative that sees funding provided by energy suppliers to households to help them improve the energy efficiency of homes. The scheme is open to all homeowners in the UK regardless of whether they own or rent their property.
Under the scheme, eligible households can receive free or discounted insulation and solar panels. The level of support you receive will depend on your energy supplier and your circumstances.
What is the difference between ECO3 and ECO4?
ECO was first introduced in 2013 and has been updated several times since then. The most recent update, ECO4 differs from ECO3 in a few key areas:
- The maximum amount of funding available to energy suppliers has been increased.
- The types of measures that can be funded have been expanded to include storage heaters, electric vehicle charge points and solar PV systems with a capacity of up to 50kW.
- The income thresholds for eligibility have been increased in line with inflation.
- More funding given to air source heat pump grants (see here) and insulation grants (see here)
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government initiative that provides payments to people who generate their own renewable electricity. It replaced the previous Feed-In Tariff Scheme in 2020.
Under the scheme, eligible households can receive payments for the electricity they generate from renewable sources such as solar panels. The level of payment depends on the type of renewable energy system you have, how much electricity you generate and your energy supplier.
The scheme is open to anyone with solar panels or other eligible renewable energy systems. You will be paid for the surplus electricity you generate and export to the grid.
To be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee, you must have:
- Solar PV panels with a capacity of up to 50kW
- Wind turbines with a capacity of up to 500kW
- Hydro systems with a capacity of up to 500kW
- Anaerobic digestion systems with a capacity of up to 500kW
- Micro CHP systems with a capacity of up to 50kW
To apply for the scheme, you will need to contact your energy supplier directly who will be able to advise you on the application process or click here to find out more.
Enquire today and find out how much in Government funding you could get…
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Future electricity bills reduced -
Earn & Save for years to come! -
100% Green energy that PAYS YOU! -
You own the solar system that has been installed
Fully Funded Grants To Bring The Latest Solar Technology To Your Home
With a grant, you can get a full solar system and insulation including:
1. Solar Panels
2. Home Solar Battery
3. Trade Energy for Cash
Reasons Why You Should Go Solar
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Create your own solar power -
Cut your electricity bills up to 70%¹ -
Get paid for excess energy through the Smart Export Gurantee -
Installation usually within 1-2 days -
Low maintenance -
Reduced reliance on the National Grid -
Cut your carbon footprint and offset over 1,000 trees -
Add value to your property
You don’t need to be receiving benefits!
Check If You Qualify:
How your new solar set up will work for you
Generate Energy
Solar PV panels consist of multiple cells made from semiconducting materials, which when light shines upon them, electricity is created.
Store Energy
The electricity created can be used, stored in a battery, or exported to the grid to receive money from the energy companies as part of the Smart Export Guarantee.
Works even on gloomy days
The electricity created can be used, stored in a battery, or exported to the grid to receive money from the energy companies as part of the Smart Export Guarantee.
Why Are Households Switching To Solar?
Why choose solar over traditional energy?
Fossil fuels are rapidly increasing in cost, making them a more costly option for both your pocket and the environment.
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Require costly electricity, gas, or oil at a time of rapidly rising prices -
Need regular maintenance and repairs can be costly -
Use a non-renewable source of energy that adds to carbon emissions -
Highly dependent on fossil fuels and the National Grid
Solar is a much greener alternative as it is a renewable form of energy and can be used to provide electricity and hot water for the home.
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Helps lower fuel bills when the cost of energy is increasingly markedly -
Last 25+ years and require minimal maintenance -
Clean and sustainable electricity is produced with no emissions -
Reduced dependence on the National Grid
Did you know…
Solar panels are still able generate electricity on gloomy days. They require light not direct sunlight in order to function. The brighter the light is, the higher their electricity output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are solar panels?
You’ll have seen solar panels in many locations, but most notably on the roof space of some of your neighbours. Solar panels capture the energy from daylight and convert it to electricity that can be used to power your home. By installing solar panels you will be generating your own renewable energy and contributing to the drive to cut carbon emissions.
Why should I bother getting solar panels?
With a focus in the UK on moving away from fossil fuel heating and transitioning to more energy efficient systems, low-carbon heating alternatives are becoming commonplace. Solar panels meet this goal perfectly are a great investment for a property if you have the right space on your roof.
How do solar panels work?
Solar PV panels consist of multiple cells made from semi conducting materials, which when light shines upon them, electricity is created.
The electricity created is direct current (DC) so this is converted by an inverter to alternating current (AC) so it can be used in the homes. The electricity created can be used, stored in a battery, or exported to the grid. Solar panels can still generate on gloomy days and don’t need direct sunlight to work as they require light not direct sunlight in order to work. The brighter the light is, the higher the electricity output.
Are solar panels suitable for all properties?
Unfortunately, not all homes are ideal for a solar panel system. To get the most out of solar panels they need to be predominantly south-facing and the roof should be unshaded during the peak period for daylight (roughly 10 am- 4 pm). That said, it is still possible to have east/west facing systems and generate a good 80%+ compared to a south-facing roof. Regardless of the orientation, your roof does need to be in good condition and the space needs to be quite sizeable to accommodate the solar panels, which on average are likely to be around two square metres each. Diagonal roofs are more effective at catching rays than panels on a flat roof.
How eco-friendly are solar panels?
The majority of heating systems in the home rely on burning fossil fuel or converting electricity into heat. Solar panels are ideal because they generate electricity for the home using daylight. The energy produced comes from a renewable source and can be used to heat and power your home, with the excess able to be stored in batteries, or sold back to the grid under SEG.
How much will solar panels save me in the long-term?
The majority of heating systems in the home rely on burning fossil fuel or converting electricity into heat. Solar panels are a great option because they generate electricity for the home using daylight as the source, so are a low-carbon, renewable energy. Not only can the energy produced heat power your home, the excess can be stored in batteries for use later, or can even be sold back to the grid.
Can I get paid for the excess energy my solar panels produce?
Aside from the savings solar households would make by producing their own electricity, it is also possible to get paid for the excess energy you generate. Originally the Feed-in Tariff scheme provided financial incentive by paying for excess electricity from solar. This was closed to new applicants in March 2019, but has been superseded by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The Energy Saving Trust estimates solar homes could get paid up to £125 per year for any excess energy that is generated. It should be noted that SEG tariffs can differ widely between energy suppliers and the amount received for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated from solar panels, but not used. It is therefore recommended that you shop around for the best imported electric rates.
Is planning permission required for solar panels?
Planning permission is not usually required for solar panels. The exceptions are if your property has a flat roof or is a listed building or in a conservation area. In these circumstances, approval might be required from your local authority building control team.
Are solar panels noisy?
Solar panels that are professionally installed should not make any noise as there are no moving parts within the panels themselves. The inverter, which is usually attached to the side of the property or in a cool place such as a garage or utility room, and converts the current from DC to AC, may make some noise but is likely to be a quiet humming noise that is unlikely to be particularly noticeable. Any signs of loud noise would suggest that some maintenance is required. You should take help from an expert solar panel installer in this case.
Does the solar grant have to be repaid?
The scheme aims to help low income households improve their home energy efficiency and any grants are non-repayable. Those eligible for a grant will either get a grant towards the installation of a solar PV system in their home. In some cases a contribution may be required towards the cost of the installation, but this will be made clear from the outset, following a free assessment at your home.
How long does it take to install solar panels?
For residential properties, the installation of solar panels should take 1 day, though slightly larger properties with larger panels might take up to 2 days. Commercial installations can take longer, depending on the site and specific requirements.
What happens when there’s not enough light to generate enough electricity?
It is worth noting that it doesn’t have to be sunny to generate electricity and that electricity will still be produced on dull days, admittedly at a lower rate. When you are not producing enough electricity to meet your demand, your home just draws electricity from the grid in the normal way, as you did prior to solar being installed.
What is the typical life of solar panels?
Solar panels should be expected to last between 20-25 years, but some manufacturers suggest in some instances this could be as much as 40 years. Over time efficiency can fall (reducing by about 15% over their lifetime) and inverters may need to be replaced, but in the main, the life and performance of solar panels is a lengthy one.
Is Green Deal still available?
No, the Green Deal was launched in 2013 but was withdrawn in 2015 after it failed to take off. The government has since reintroduced a similar scheme called the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
Find out how much your home could save with free funding and by going green.
Why Solar Panels Are The Future
Saving Your Pocket & The Planet
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Greener alternative to other forms of heating such as gas, electric and oil -
Avoid escalating energy price rises driving up the cost of heating your home -
Earn by selling your excess electricity produced back to the Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee
Low Maintenance & Servicing Costs
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Last for up to 25-30 years, although newer panels could last up to 40 years -
Year-round operations and low maintenance -
Warranties lasting up to 20 years are normally provided
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Future electricity bills reduced -
Earn & Save for years to come! -
100% Green energy that PAYS YOU! -
You own the solar system that has been installed
See how much you could save
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