Government ECO4 grant · England · Scotland · Wales

Free solar panels,
through the ECO4 grant.

The UK government's ECO4 scheme can cover the full cost of solar panels for eligible households. See in about a minute whether yours is one of them - then we arrange everything with MCS-accredited installers.

See if you qualify Call 0330 321 5693

● Free, no obligation ● Supporting households since 2013

207 days until
ECO4 closes
Scheme deadline 31 December 2026

Step 1 of 4 · Free check

Check your eligibility

Start with your postcode. It takes about a minute and we'll be honest about whether ECO4 can help.

A happy family together in the living room of their home
A home with solar panels fitted on the roof
2013
Supporting households since
3
Nations covered - England, Scotland & Wales
16
Qualifying benefits
Free
To check, with no obligation
ECO4 closes 31 December 2026, Solar PV funded only for electrically-heated homes, EPC band D to G, 16 qualifying benefits, England · Scotland · Wales, We refer, we don't install, Checking is free, MCS-accredited installer network
Accredited network

We refer, we don't install

Every household we help is referred to installers certified under the schemes that protect you. We're a referral service - the work is done by accredited professionals.

Accredited and recognised by Microgeneration Certification Scheme, Renewable Energy Consumer Code, Government-endorsed quality scheme, Registered competent person scheme, Electrical contracting assessment

NAPIT · RECC · NICEIC · MCS accredited · LG solar panels

Watch: 2-minute overview

How the ECO4 grant works

A short, plain-English walkthrough of the scheme and how to find out whether your home qualifies for funded solar panels.

See if you qualify Call 0330 321 5693
The scheme, plainly

What ECO4 actually is

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency improvements in lower-income homes. It runs until 31 December 2026. Solar PV is one of the measures it can fund - but only in specific circumstances.

Solar is a minority of ECO4 work - the scheme mostly funds insulation and heating. We focus on the households where solar genuinely fits, and we're upfront when it doesn't.

Read the full ECO4 explainer
Heating

Electric heating only

Solar is funded only where your home is heated by electricity - a heat pump or electric storage heaters. Gas-heated homes don't qualify for solar under ECO4.

Property

EPC band D to G

Your home's energy rating must be D, E, F or G. The scheme aims to lift it to at least band C.

Benefits

A qualifying benefit

Someone in the household must receive one of 16 means-tested benefits - or qualify through LA Flex.

Decision

Suppliers decide funding

Energy suppliers choose which measures they fund. Eligibility is a strong start, not a guarantee.

Four steps

How it works

From postcode to installation, here's exactly what happens - and where we stop and the accredited installer takes over.

  1. 01

    Check your eligibility

    Start with your postcode and answer four short questions about your heating, benefits and tenure. It takes about a minute and tells you honestly whether ECO4 can help.

  2. 02

    We call to confirm

    If you may qualify, we call you on 0330 321 5693 to confirm the details and explain what happens next. No pressure, no obligation - just a clear answer.

  3. 03

    An installer assesses your home

    We refer you to an MCS-accredited installer in your area. They survey your roof, confirm the funding with your energy supplier, and explain whether any contribution is needed.

  4. 04

    Installation is arranged

    If everything checks out, the installer arranges your solar PV system under ECO4. We don't install anything ourselves - we connect you with accredited professionals who do.

Sixteen qualifying benefits

Who qualifies for ECO4 solar

Three things need to line up: a qualifying benefit, electric heating, and an EPC rating of D to G. Here are the benefits that count.

  • 01 Universal Credit
  • 02 Income Support
  • 03 Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
  • 04 Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • 05 Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • 06 Working Tax Credit
  • 07 Child Tax Credit
  • 08 Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • 09 Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • 10 Attendance Allowance
  • 11 Carer's Allowance
  • 12 Severe Disablement Allowance
  • 13 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • 14 War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • 15 Constant Attendance Allowance
  • 16 Armed Forces Independence Payment
The honest caveat

Electric heating is the big one

Most homes that don't qualify for ECO4 solar are turned down because they have a gas boiler. If that's you, it's not the end of the road - privately-paid solar with 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee often makes sense.

If you don't qualify
No benefit? LA Flex

You might still qualify

Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) lets councils refer low-income or vulnerable households that don't claim a listed benefit. We can check whether your area runs it.

See all eligibility routes
Four reasons

Why use the Grants Desk

01

We tell you the truth, including “no”

ECO4 only funds solar for electrically-heated homes on certain benefits. If that isn't you, we say so plainly and point you to a scheme that fits - rather than wasting your time.

02

Accredited installers only

Every referral goes to an MCS-accredited, TrustMark-registered installer working to RECC consumer standards. We don't hand your details to whoever pays the most.

03

Free to check, no obligation

There is no charge to check your eligibility and no commitment to proceed. We're paid by the installer network when an install goes ahead - never by you.

04

Working since 2013

We've helped households navigate government energy schemes through ECO, ECO2, ECO3 and now ECO4. We know how the process works and what energy suppliers need.

Real reviews

What our customers say

Feedback from households we've helped through the scheme.

  • Stress free

    “The process was stress free and the solar PV and battery were fitted by well trained and professional people. I cannot thank you enough.”

    Mr Singh, Birmingham

  • Excellent local installer

    “Almost immediately after completing the online form we were contacted by a very nice lady from the Solar Panels Grants team. She picked an excellent local installer.”

    Mr and Mrs Thompson, Durham

  • Fabulous

    “I now have a fabulous new solar system with battery storage saving me money. Well done Solar Panels Grants!”

    Mrs Stourbridge, Torquay

  • Very simple

    “It was all very simple. I filled out the online form and in just over a week, I am now enjoying reduced energy bills. Fantastic!”

    Mr Walford, Leicester

  • Just what I needed

    “Thank you Solar Panels Grants. My solar PV system is just what I needed and is already saving me a lot of money.”

    Miss Fuller, Manchester

Installers fit panels from established manufacturers

Panels from LG, Canadian Solar, Risen, JA Solar, fitted by MCS-accredited installers.
Looking ahead

After ECO4 closes

ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026. We'll help you act while it's open - and we already know the routes that come next, so you won't be left in the dark.

What happens next

Warm Homes Plan

The government's expected successor scheme for home energy upgrades.

0% VAT on solar

Privately-paid solar carries zero VAT, lowering the upfront cost.

Smart Export Guarantee

Get paid for the surplus electricity your panels export to the grid.

Straight answers

Questions, answered plainly

Is the solar grant really free?
Under ECO4, eligible measures are funded by obligated energy suppliers, so there is often no cost to the household. However, the installer decides - based on your roof and survey - whether the system is fully funded or whether a small contribution is needed. We never charge you to check your eligibility.
Do I definitely qualify if I'm on benefits?
Not automatically. Solar PV under ECO4 is only funded where your home is heated by electricity (for example a heat pump or electric storage heaters), your EPC rating is D to G, and you receive a qualifying benefit. Energy suppliers ultimately decide which measures are funded. We check all of this honestly before referring you.
My home has a gas boiler - can I still get solar?
Not through ECO4, which only funds solar for electrically-heated homes. But you may still benefit from 0% VAT on a privately-paid installation, the Smart Export Guarantee for the electricity you export, or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a heat pump. We'll point you the right way.
Are you part of the government?
No. ECO4 is a UK government scheme administered by Ofgem and funded by energy suppliers. We are a private referral service - we check your eligibility and connect you with accredited local installers. We are not gov.uk and we don't decide who gets funding.
What happens after ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026?
ECO4 is the current scheme and closes at the end of 2026. The government's Warm Homes Plan is expected to follow, and privately-paid solar remains attractive with 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee. We help you act while ECO4 is still open and will guide you on what comes next.
Will you pass my details to lots of companies?
No. If you may qualify and ask us to proceed, we refer you to one MCS-accredited installer for your area. We don't sell your details to a panel of buyers. You can read exactly how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
I rent my home - can I apply?
Possibly. Tenants can apply with the landlord's written permission, since the work is to the property. Start the eligibility check and we'll explain what your landlord needs to agree to.
Talk to a person

Get in touch

Prefer to talk it through? Call us - a real person will answer and give you an honest read on your situation.

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    Registered office27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AXThis is our registered correspondence address. We operate by phone and online across England, Scotland & Wales.
Free check · No obligation

Find out where you stand - honestly

Checking your ECO4 eligibility is free, takes about a minute, and there's no obligation. If solar isn't the right fit, we'll tell you and point you the right way.

Check my eligibility Call 0330 321 5693

ECO4 closes 31 December 2026