Solar grants and eligibility

What funding exists for solar panels, who it is designed for and how eligibility is assessed.

Solar grants in the UK are not open public offers.

Funding exists through official energy efficiency programmes where solar may be included as part of wider home upgrades.

Whether support is available depends on household circumstances, property suitability and local programme availability.

NUVOE explains what exists today and how eligibility works before you make any decision.

See funding routes below

Main solar funding routes in England (current)

1️⃣ Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a government-backed scheme requiring large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for eligible households.

Solar panels can be included, but usually where:

  • the home has a low EPC rating

  • insulation or heating improvements are also required

  • the household meets income or benefit criteria

Solar is not guaranteed under ECO4 and is typically installed as part of a wider upgrade package.

Official scheme guidance:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco

ECO4 is normally available where a household receives qualifying benefits, including:

✅ Universal Credit

✅ Pension Credit

✅ Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

✅ Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

✅ Income Support

✅ Housing Benefit

✅ Child Tax Credit (within income thresholds)

✅ Working Tax Credit (within income thresholds)

Local Authority Flex (LA Flex)

Some households may qualify through Local Authority Flexible Eligibility, even if they do not receive benefits.

This allows councils to refer households that:

  • have low household income

  • are vulnerable to cold homes

  • or have high energy costs relative to income.

Eligibility rules are set locally, so criteria can vary by council.

Property eligibility

ECO4 is targeted at homes that are least energy efficient.

Typically:

✅ EPC rating of D, E, F or G

✅ Owner-occupied or privately rented homes (with landlord permission)

✅ Property suitable for improvement works following assessment

Solar is normally considered after insulation or heating upgrades have been assessed first.

2️⃣ Warm Homes: Local Grant (Local Authority Delivery)

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered through local councils and focuses on improving inefficient homes.

Funding may include:

  • insulation upgrades

  • heating improvements

  • in some cases solar PV where suitable

Availability varies by local authority because councils manage delivery and funding allocation.

Official overview:

https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

What eligibility is based on

Eligibility is normally based on a combination of household income, vulnerability and property efficiency, rather than a single national rule.

Household

Household eligibility typically includes one or more of the following:

✅ Receiving certain means-tested benefits, such as:

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income Support

  • Housing Benefit

  • Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (within income thresholds)

OR

✅ Household income below approximately £31,000–£36,000 per year, depending on local authority criteria

OR

✅ Households identified by councils as vulnerable to cold homes through local eligibility rules.

Property eligibility typically includes:

✅ EPC rating of D, E, F or G

✅ Homes with high energy costs or poor insulation

✅ Property suitable for improvement works following survey

Important to understand

Local authorities administer this funding, so:

  • income thresholds can vary slightly by area

  • not every council offers solar within its programme

  • solar is usually installed alongside insulation or heating upgrades where appropriate.

Do solar grants actually exist?

Yes — but not as a single nationwide solar grant that anyone can apply for.

In England, solar funding normally exists as part of energy efficiency or retrofit programmes, where solar panels may be installed alongside insulation or heating improvements.

This means:

  • funding is targeted

  • eligibility checks are required

  • solar is often one measure within a wider upgrade package

The purpose of these programmes is to reduce energy costs and improve inefficient homes rather than to fund solar installations on their own.

More options

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    Household Support Fund

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    Discretionary Housing Payment

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    Health-linked energy support

  • Energy supplier trust funds