This guide is for UK homeowners looking for grant support towards solar panels. It covers which schemes include solar, how a government-backed loan compares to a grant and how to check your options. We use published sources from GOV.UK, the Energy Saving Trust and MoneySavingExpert. We state plainly where official details are not yet confirmed.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
What support exists for solar panels
Grant support for solar panels is narrower than many homeowners expect. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers heat pumps and biomass boilers in England and Wales. Its published grant categories do not include solar panels. You therefore need to look at other routes for solar.
The Government's £15bn Warm Homes Plan includes separate grant routes. Low-income households, with an income under £36,000 or on certain benefits, may qualify for fully funded upgrades. Each route has its own rules. The Energy Saving Trust gives official advice on which route fits your home.
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme as an alternative
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a loan, not a grant. You repay what you borrow, plus any interest. The Government announced the scheme in January 2026, and launch was confirmed on 26 October 2026. It sets a £15,000 maximum for solar panels and a separate £15,000 maximum for battery storage.
Treasury backing lets lenders offer rates up to 5 percentage points below normal rates. For example, 8% would become 3%, and some borrowers may get 0%. Terms run from 3 years up to 30 years in some cases. Terms over 20 years can carry higher rates and a much higher total cost.
Ten lenders are taking part: HomeServe (with E.ON), HTG Finance, Propensio, Secure Trust Bank, Selina Finance, South Manchester Credit Union, Sunsave, Tandem Bank, The Money Co-op, This Bank. Three details are not yet confirmed. The Government has not published the eligibility rules. It has not confirmed how or when you apply. Each lender has not yet published its rates.
How to check your options
Start with free support, then look at borrowing. This order keeps your total cost as low as possible. Use official sources at every stage. The steps below set out a clear order.
- Check official Energy Saving Trust advice to see if you may qualify for a fully funded upgrade.
- Find MCS-certified installers through the MCS installer search.
- Get two or three written quotes for your system.
- Compare loan options, including the Warm Homes Loan Scheme once details are confirmed.
- Check any lender on the official list of ten and on the FCA register.
- Compare the total cost of credit before you sign.
Checklist
- Official Energy Saving Trust advice checked
- Household income and benefits details to hand
- Two or three MCS-certified quotes received
- Lender confirmed on the official scheme list
- Lender confirmed on the FCA register
- No upfront fee requested by anyone
Frequently asked questions
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cover solar panels?
No. Its published grant categories cover heat pumps and biomass boilers, not solar panels.
Can I get solar panels fully funded?
Low-income households, with an income under £36,000 or on certain benefits, may qualify through separate Warm Homes Plan routes. Check official advice to confirm.
Is the Warm Homes Loan Scheme a grant?
No. It is a government-backed loan that you repay. Treasury backing helps lenders offer lower rates.
What is the loan maximum for solar panels?
The maximum is £15,000. Battery storage has a separate £15,000 maximum.
Who confirms my eligibility?
The scheme provider or lender decides. The Government has not yet published the eligibility rules for the loan.
So you can find the right mix of grant and loan support before you commit to a solar system.
WHLS Editorial Team
Our editorial team writes independent, plain-English guides on home energy finance. We review guides when scheme rules change.
References
- GOV.UK – Notice of approved grant categories and values for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Saving Trust – Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- MoneySavingExpert – Warm Homes Loan Scheme news (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Financial Conduct Authority – Financial Services Register (opens in a new tab)
- MCS – Find an installer (opens in a new tab)
