This guide is for homeowners searching for a solar electricity grant. It explains what support exists, how to combine solar with other funded upgrades and how to apply safely. We use published sources from GOV.UK, the Energy Saving Trust, MCS and MoneySavingExpert. Where official details are still unconfirmed, we say so plainly.
Independent guide. We are not a lender or a government body. Always check current scheme rules with the official provider.
What a solar electricity grant covers
No single national grant is called the solar electricity grant. People use the term for any help with the cost of solar panels. Most current support for solar comes through loans or targeted grant routes. Knowing the difference helps you search in the right place.
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme sets a £15,000 maximum for solar panels. Treasury backing lets lenders offer rates up to 5 percentage points lower than normal. Low-income households, with an income under £36,000 or on certain benefits, may qualify for fully funded upgrades through separate routes.
Combining solar with other funded upgrades
Many homes plan solar panels alongside a heat pump. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant covers heat pumps in England and Wales. You can combine that grant with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme. The grant lowers the amount you need to borrow for the heating side of the work.
The table below shows Boiler Upgrade Scheme values in effect from 21 July 2026. These values apply to heating measures only. Solar panels sit outside the grant categories.
| Measure | Grant value |
|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump | £7,500 (£9,000 if replacing oil or LPG in an off-gas-grid home) |
| Ground source heat pump | £7,500 (£9,000 if replacing oil or LPG in an off-gas-grid home) |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £2,500 |
| Biomass boiler | £5,000 (off-gas-grid homes only) |
The loan maximums differ by measure. An air-to-water heat pump has a £20,000 maximum, and battery storage has a £15,000 maximum. Ask your installer to quote each measure separately.
Applying safely
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. Until then, you can prepare quotes and check your installer. The steps below help you get ready without risk.
- Decide which measures you want, such as solar, a battery or a heat pump.
- Find MCS-certified installers through the MCS installer search.
- Ask for separate, itemised quotes for each measure.
- Check whether a heat pump in your plan qualifies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
- Wait for official loan details before you apply.
- Check any lender on the official list and on the FCA register.
Checklist
- Measures chosen for your home
- Separate, itemised quotes for each measure
- Installer MCS certification checked
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility checked for any heat pump
- Lender on the official list and the FCA register
- Total cost of credit compared
Frequently asked questions
Is there a national solar electricity grant?
No single scheme carries that name. Support for solar mainly comes through loans and targeted grant routes.
Can I combine the Boiler Upgrade Scheme with the Warm Homes Loan Scheme?
Yes. You can combine the grant with the loan for eligible heat pumps and biomass boilers.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pay towards solar panels?
No. Its grant categories cover heat pumps and biomass boilers only.
What is the air-to-water heat pump grant value?
It is £7,500, or £9,000 if you replace oil or LPG heating in an off-gas-grid home.
When can I apply for the loan?
The Government has not yet confirmed how or when you apply.
So you can combine the right grants and loans for solar and heating in one clear plan.
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)
