Powering your property with solar energy is quickly becoming a preferred choice for environmentally-conscious homeowners. Free from polluting emissions and being infinitely renewable, homeowners are harnessing the power of the greatest source of energy the world has to offer and putting it to good use.
In this article, we’ll be looking into the ways you can benefit from finding cost-effective solar panels, and in some cases, how you can find out if you are eligible for a free solar panel grant. We will also be looking into what affects the costs of installing solar panels, ways to save money, and how to find a professional installer.
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Top 7 Things to Know About Free Solar Panel Grants
- You must be on certain benefits and live in a certain type of property to be eligible for free solar PV panels.
- Not everyone eligible will receive free solar panels because each energy company has a limited number of grants.
- Only some energy companies are participating in the free solar panel scheme. You can find a list of the companies here.
- If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can ask any of the participating energy companies for a grant—you don’t need to go through your own provider unless you want to.
- Only homeowners living in a house with electric heating are eligible for a grant. Council tenants and persons living in privately rented homes aren’t eligible.
- Before approving the grant, the energy company may require a home inspection.
- The final round of grants opened on 1 April 2021 and closes on 31 March 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Get Free Solar Panels?
You don’t need to go through your own energy provider – you are free to apply to any energy company.
Who Is Eligible for Free Solar Panels?
In cases where you may not have eligibility for free solar panels, you may be able to apply for the following household benefits depending on your circumstances:
Benefit | Eligible | Additional Requirements |
---|---|---|
Pension Credit (in addition to State Pension) | Yes | None |
Child Tax Credit | Yes, but only if you earn £16,010 a year or less | None |
Child Benefit | Yes, but only if you meet the income requirements based on the size of your family | If you're a single parent, the income requirements are as follows: 1. For one child you must earn £18.500 or less a year 2. For 2 children you must earn £23,000 or less a year 3. For 3 children you must earn £27,500 or less a year 4. For 4 children you must earn £32,000 or less a year If you're part of a two-parent family, the income requirements are as follows: 1. For one child, combiined income must be £25,500 or less a year 2. For 2 children, combined income must be £30,000 or less a year 3. For 3 children, combined income must be £34,500 or less a year 4. For 4 children, combined income must be £39,000 or less a year |
Working Tax Credit | Yes, but only if you earn £16,010 a year or less and you meet at least one additional requirement | In addition to receiving Working Tax Credits and earning £16,010 a year or less, you must also meet one of the following ctiteria: 1. You are over 60 2. You have a child under 16 3. you have a child under 20 in full-time education (but not at university) 4. You have Severe Disability Element 5. You have a Disabled Worker Element |
Income Support or Universal credit | Yes, but only if you meet at least one additional requirement | In addition to receiving Income Support, you must also meet at least one of the following criteria: 1. You have a child under 16 2. You have a child under 20 in full-time education (but not at university) 3. You get Child Tax Credit including a Disability Element 4. You get a disabled child premium 5. You get a pensioner premium |
Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance | Yes, but only if you meet one additional requirement | In addition to receiving Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance, you must also meet one of the following criteria: 1. You have a child under 16 2. You have a child under 20 in full-time education (but not at university) 3. You get Child Tax Credit including a Disability Element 4. You get a Disabled Child Premium 5. You get a Pensioner Premium |
Income-related Employment Support Allowances | Yes, but only if you meet one additional requirement | In addition to receiving Income-related Employmernt Support Allowance, you must also meet one of the criteria: 1. You have a Work Related Activity or Work Related Support component 2. You have a child under 16 3. You have a child under 20 in full-time education (but not at university) 4. You get Child Tax Credit including a Disability Element 5. You get a Disabled Child Premium 6. You get a Pensioner Premium |
You can benefit from Child Tax Credit if you earn below £16,010 a year, while Child Benefits can be obtained if you meet certain criteria based on your status as either a single or two-parent family.
Working Tax Credit is available to those who earn below £16,010 a year, as well as one additional requirement such as being over 60, having a child under 16 or a child under 20 who is not in full-time education, or if you have Severe Disability or Disabled Worker Element.
Income Support or Universal Credit has similar eligibility criteria, with the same child requirements as above but also if you receive Child Tax Credit which includes a Disability Element, or if you have either a disabled child or pensioner premium.
Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance holds the same eligibility criteria, as does Income-related Employment Support Allowances.
I Live in a Council Home or Flat. Can I Get Free Solar Panels?
I’m a Pensioner. Am I Eligible for a Free Solar Panel Grant?
The idea behind the scheme was that – as pensioners stayed at home more during the day – they would benefit the most from solar energy, as they were using electrical equipment at times when the sun was out.
While this scheme no longer exists, there are grants available for pensioners as detailed in the table above which can help with the cost of living. For instance, the Cold Weather Payment is available if you receive Pension Credit and if the average temperature is forecast to be zero degrees celsius or below for over seven consecutive days.
I Think I’m Eligible for a Grant. Will I Definitely Get Free Solar Panels?
Which Energy Companies Participate in the Energy Companies Obligation Scheme?
- British Gas
- Bulb
- E (Gas & Electricity) Ltd
- E.ON Energy including Npower
- Ecotricity
- EDF Energy
- ESB Energy
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO (including SSE Energy Services)
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy (formerly First Utility and formerly Hudson)
- So Energy
- The Co-operative Energy
- The Utility Warehouse
- Utilita Energy Ltd
Do I Need to Apply Through My Own Energy Provider?
What’s the Process for Applying for a Solar Panel Grant?
Moving forwards from this stage, your installation will then be scheduled and taken from there.
How Long Does the Application Process Take?
When Can I Apply for a Solar Panel Grant?
I’m Not Eligible for a Grant. How Can I Save Money on Solar Panels?
- Renewable Heat Incentive
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (DRHI) is another government-led initiative to back the use of renewable heat to help the UK to meet renewable energy targets.
According to Ofgem, the DRHI is open to all households, on and off the gas grid, who have installed a renewable heating system and meet the eligibility criteria. People who join and follow the scheme rules receive quarterly payments over seven years for clean, green, renewable heat their systems are estimated to produce.
For full information on the Renewable Heat Incentive, see this page.
This government-backed initiative was launched at the start of 2020. The scheme is another government-led scheme that requires electricity suppliers to pay small-scale generators for low-carbon electricity which then goes back to the National Grid.
According to Ofgem, SEG Licensees determine the rate at which they will pay SEG Generators, the contract length and other terms. Generators thinking of applying for an SEG tariff should therefore shop around to see which tariff is best for their circumstances.
SEG tariff rates must always be above zero. SEG payments are calculated by using export meter readings.
SEG Generators are paid by their chosen SEG Licensee for the electricity which they export back to the National Grid. This will grant owners savings in the long-term, despite an initial up-front cost.
Are There Other Ways to Reduce My Energy Bills?
- Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment scheme is a government-backed initiative that will give households a payment if the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be zero degrees celsius or lower over seven consecutive days.
This will equate to £25 for every seven days between 1 November and 31 March. You’re eligible for the Cold Weather Payment if you receive:
- Pension credit
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
For full information on the Cold Weather Payment, see this page.
- Winter Fuel Payment
For those born on or before 26 September 1955, you can receive £100 to £300 as a Winter Fuel Payment. You will receive this if you receive:
- State Pension
- Social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Child Benefit or Universal Credit)
For full information on the Winter Fuel Payment, see this page.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme will grant you £140 off your electricity bill as a one-off discount between October and March. You are eligible for this if you:
- Receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (core group)
- You’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria (broader group)
For full information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme, see this page.
- Affordable Warmth Obligation
The Affordable Warmth Obligation can give you access to funds to make energy-saving improvements to your property. You are eligible for this scheme if you:
- Claim certain benefits and live in private housing
- Live in social housing
This grant can help you with works such as insulation for lofts or cavity walls, or replacement boilers. For full information on the Affordable Warmth Obligation, see this page.
Can I Get a Loan to Install Solar Panels?
It is possible to take out a loan to obtain solar panels, but the right precautions must be understood before doing so to avoid any potential drawbacks with interest-added payments.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
A single solar panel can cost between £350 to £500, while the most common solar panel system will come in at between £6,000 to £8,000 for 16 panels for a 4kW panel system.
Are Solar Panels the Right Choice for My Home?
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
-Solar panels take advantage of an infinitely renewable energy source -Your home will become more energy-efficient, which in turn will reduce your energy bill outgoings -Your home value can be increased after the installation of solar panels, owing to the hallmarks of energy efficiency -The climate of the UK is perfect for harnessing the sun's power, as higher temperatures from hotter countries can interfere with the chemical process inside the panels which can end up reducing the output | -Some homeowners and buyers don't like the aesthetic appearance of solar panels, which may deter some from purchasing -If you live in a hot country, the high temperatures can negatively affect your solar panels and reduce their efficiency -If you have a north-facing roof, or if your home is in a shaded area (such as beneath large trees), you may not see the benefits as you won't be receiving the full energy of the sun on your solar panels -Solar panel installation can be expensive if you aren't able to take advantage of grants |
Do I Need Planning Permission to Install Solar Panels?
There are stipulations within this, though, such as if your home is of listed nature or if it is situated within a conservation area. If in doubt, it’s best to check things out with your local planning authority to make sure you’re not installing something that will have to be taken away.
For full information on installing solar panels, take a look at the Planning Portal’s dedicated page.
How Can I Get a Free Boiler?
As with most schemes, you’ll need to be on certain benefits and live in a certain type of property to be eligible, and only some energy companies are participating – a list of which you can find here.
For full information on free boiler grants, take a look at our dedicated page.
Can I Get a Grant for Double Glazing?
Companies have limited resources for double glazing grants, which means that all who are eligible might not receive a grant. You must be on certain benefits and live in a certain type of property to be in the running for a grant, and only certain companies are included in the scheme – a list of which you can find here.
For full information on double glazing grants, take a look at our dedicated page.
Additional Resources
Ofgem Information on the Energy Companies Obligation
The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) is a government-led energy efficiency scheme created to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty in Great Britain.
The ECO3 scheme ended on 31 March 2022, which means suppliers are only able to count ECO3 measures up to that date to go towards their ECO3 obligation.
For full information on the Energy Companies Obligation, see this page.
Ofgem Guidance on the Energy Companies Obligation
If you need to look at specific guidance on the ECO, such as supplier administration or delivery, please follow the link below to access that information.
For full guidance on the Energy Companies Obligation, see this page.
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is another government-led initiative to back the use of renewable heat to help the UK to meet renewable energy targets.
For full information on the Renewable Heat Incentive, see this page.
Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) was first launched on 1 January 2020 and is another government-led scheme that requires electricity suppliers to pay small-scale generators for low-carbon electricity which then goes back to the National Grid.
For full information on the Smart Export Guarantee, see this page.