UK Government’s Warm Homes Support for Solar: What You Need to Know

The UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan — launched in January 2026 — represents one of the largest initiatives in British history to tackle high energy bills, reduce fuel poverty, and accelerate home decarbonisation. Central to this programme is government-backed support for solar panels and other low-carbon technologies in homes.

This blog post explains what the scheme involves, how solar support works, who can benefit, and what this means for households across the UK.

1. What Is the Warm Homes Plan?

The Warm Homes Plan is a £15 billion package of government investment aimed at upgrading millions of homes by 2030. Its core goals are to:

• Lower household energy bills long-term

• Cut carbon emissions from homes

• Reduce fuel poverty, particularly in low-income households

• Promote clean energy technologies including solar panels and battery storage

  
  

The support framework has two main strands: grants for low-income households and low or zero-interest financing for others.

2. Solar Panels for Low-Income Households: Warm Homes: Local Grant

For eligible low-income households in England, the primary route to free or heavily subsidised solar panels is the Warm Homes: Local Grant. This is a government-funded scheme delivered through local authorities.

What it covers:

• Fully funded solar panel installations where appropriate

• Other energy-saving measures such as insulation, draught-proofing and smart controls

• Low-carbon heating like heat pumps (often in combination packages)

  
  

Eligibility (typical criteria):

• You live in England (equivalent schemes exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but under different names and rules)

• Your home is privately owned or privately rented (landlord agreement required)

• Your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is typically D, E, F or G

• Your household’s annual income is usually £36,000 or less or you claim certain means-tested benefits

  
  

Where eligible, councils may fund up to around £30,000 per home across a combination of measures, including up to about £15,000 (or more depending on local delivery) towards solar, batteries, insulation and other upgrades.

How it works:

1. You complete an initial eligibility check or apply through a local authority.

2. The council arranges a free energy survey of your home.

3. A package of improvements (including solar panels if suitable) is installed at no upfront cost.

   
   

3. Solar Support Beyond Grants: Loans and Finance

Not all households will meet the criteria for free grants. For others, the Warm Homes Plan introduces low-interest and zero-interest loans to help fund solar panel installations, battery storage and other home upgrades. These loans are government-backed to reduce or remove interest costs, lowering the upfront barrier to clean energy adoption.

This aspect of the policy remains in development, and detailed eligibility and product availability are expected to expand later in 2026 as the government works with financial institutions to roll out these products.

4. Why Solar Matters in the Warm Homes Plan

Solar panels help households:

• Generate their own clean electricity — reducing reliance on grid energy and exposure to price volatility

• Lower energy bills over time through self-generated power

• Support UK net-zero goals by shifting away from fossil fuel-based energy sources

  
  

The government has linked solar panel deployment with broader climate policy and fuel poverty reduction, targeting solar for millions of homes as part of reducing emissions and protecting consumers from high energy costs.

5. Looking Ahead: What to Expect

Implementation of the Warm Homes Plan and its solar elements is rolling out progressively over 2026 and beyond. Households interested in support should:

• Check the Warm Homes: Local Grant eligibility via Gov.uk or local authority channels.

• Stay informed about the forthcoming warm homes loan products, which could make solar more affordable even if you don’t qualify for full grants.

• Ask your council or local energy advice service about delivery schedules, as availability can vary by area and funding wave.

  
  

6. Final Considerations

It’s important to understand that:

• The Warm Homes: Local Grant is currently focused on low-income households in England, though Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own initiatives too.

• Not every home will qualify for free solar panels directly; eligibility depends on income, EPC rating and other criteria.

• Loans and broader financing options aim to make solar accessible more widely but are still being set up.

  
  

Whether you are looking for a fully funded solar installation or a government-backed loan to help manage costs, the Warm Homes Plan represents a major shift in how the UK supports clean energy adoption in homes.