Are there free solar panels in the UK?

Let’s outline the current state of solar panel funding in the UK In short, there is largely no such thing as “free solar panels” in terms of government grants that will cover 100% of the installation costs. You can earn money from your solar panels via the Smart Export Guarantee.

Are there free solar panel grants in the UK?

*Available solar panel grants in the UK as of April 2024 While some of the government initiatives are completely free solar panel grants, others are loans or reductions in VAT that count as solar panel government schemes. The application process and eligibility criteria for each of these are different, so let’s go over each policy.

Can you get free solar panels on a roof?

Companies offered to pay to lease your roof from you for 20-25 years and, in exchange, would install and maintain solar PV panels on it. You didn't have to pay upfront for the panels, and would also benefit from the free electricity produced by the system. But there are very few free solar panel schemes available now.

Can you get free solar panels?

If you’re eligible, you could be entitled to up to 100 per cent off the cost of your solar panels. Sarah Blyth lives in Whitstable, Kent, with her two children. Her home had an EPC rating of E, and she receives Universal Credit, which includes Housing Benefit and Child Tax Credit. She talked us through her journey to getting free solar panels.

How do I qualify for free solar panels in the UK?

You may qualify for free solar panels if you're eligible for one of the UK’s four main grants. However, two of these grants are only available in England, one can only be accessed in Wales, and all of them come with stringent qualifying criteria that target the most deprived households.

Should you apply for a solar panel grant?

By applying for a solar panel grant, you could receive heavily discounted or even free solar panels, resulting in annual energy bill savings upwards of £1,040. We recently conducted a survey of over 1,540 Independent readers who own solar panels* to understand how they made the most of the solar panel funding available to them.