Free Solar Panels UK 2026: ECO4, Grants & Zero-Cost Options

Completely free solar panels from the government are no longer available in the UK. The ECO4 scheme, which funded solar panels for eligible low-income households, closed to new applications in March 2026. However, several replacement schemes have launched with substantial funding available — and some households can still access solar panels at zero or minimal upfront cost through the right combination of grants and financing models.

The landscape has changed significantly since ECO4 ended. The Warm Homes Plan, introduced by the Labour government in 2025, now channels funding through three main routes: the Warm Homes: Local Grant in England (replacing the Local Authority Delivery scheme), Warm Homes Nest in Wales (which can fund 100% of installation costs for eligible households), and the continuing Warmer Homes Scotland programme. Separately, Solar Together group-buying schemes and subscription solar models like Sunsave Plus offer ways to access solar without the full upfront cost.

This guide explains what is actually available in 2026, who qualifies, how much each scheme pays, and — critically — how to spot and avoid the “free solar panel” scams that continue to circulate online. For the full installation cost picture, see our guide to how much solar panels cost.

ECO4 Has Ended: What Replaced It?

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) was the UK's largest domestic energy efficiency scheme, funded by energy suppliers. It ran from 2022 to March 2026 and funded insulation and heating upgrades — and in some cases solar panels — for households on low incomes or benefits. The scheme is now closed. New replacement schemes are funded differently, through central government rather than obligated energy suppliers.

If you see a website, cold caller, or social media advertisement still offering “free ECO4 solar panels,” treat it with extreme caution. ECO4 is finished, and no legitimate installer is delivering ECO4 solar work in 2026. These advertisements are typically either:

• Outdated content that has not been updated since the scheme closed
• Lead generation sites collecting your personal data to sell to third parties
• Entry points for rent-a-roof or lease schemes that are not “free” at all (covered below)

The genuine replacements for ECO4 are the three Warm Homes schemes, the Great British Insulation Scheme (for insulation only, not solar), and the various local authority and combined authority grant programmes now operating under devolved funding.

Warm Homes Schemes: England, Wales, and Scotland

The Warm Homes Plan is the government's flagship domestic energy efficiency programme for the current parliament, with £13.2 billion of committed funding over the next five years. It operates differently in each nation, and the available solar funding varies significantly depending on where you live.

England: Warm Homes: Local Grant

In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is administered by local authorities and combined authorities, not central government directly. This means eligibility criteria and available measures vary by area — your council may prioritise certain measures or have additional local criteria. The headline figures are:

• Maximum grant: £15,000 per household
• Income threshold: household income at or below £36,000 per year
• EPC requirement: current rating of D, E, F, or G (properties already at C or above typically do not qualify)
• Tenure: owner-occupiers and private renters (with landlord consent)
• Measures covered: solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, heating controls — package determined by assessor

Solar panels are not guaranteed under this scheme — the assessment determines the most cost-effective package for your property. Homes with poor insulation are typically prioritised for insulation first. However, if insulation is already adequate, solar panels are commonly included in the recommended package. Note that properties in conservation area restrictions may face additional planning requirements before installation can proceed.

To apply, contact your local authority directly or visit the government's energy efficiency scheme finder at gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator.

Wales: Warm Homes Nest

Warm Homes Nest is administered by the Welsh Government via its Nest scheme (delivered by Swalec). It is the most generous scheme in the UK for eligible households and can fund up to 100% of costs for qualifying properties — meaning genuinely free solar panels for those who meet the criteria. The system size you qualify for is determined by an assessor based on your property size, roof orientation, and energy consumption.

• Maximum funding: 100% of improvement costs (no cap stated, but packages are capped by assessor recommendations)
• Income threshold: households receiving income-related benefits or with household income below £25,000
• EPC requirement: E, F, or G rated properties prioritised
• Tenure: owner-occupiers and private renters
• Apply via: nest.gov.wales

Scotland: Warmer Homes Scotland

Warmer Homes Scotland is delivered by Home Energy Scotland and provides grants of up to £10,000 for eligible households. Solar panels can be included as part of a whole-house retrofit package, particularly when combined with a heat pump or other heating upgrade.

• Maximum grant: £10,000
• Additional loan top-up: up to £5,000 at 0% interest
• Eligibility: means-tested; households on low incomes or benefits
• Apply via: homeenergyscotland.org or call 0808 808 2282 (free)

Solar Together: Group-Buying Discounts

Solar Together is a council-supported group-buying programme that pools homeowners to negotiate discounted prices from vetted, MCS-certified installers. It does not offer free panels, but it delivers genuine price reductions of 30–37% compared to going direct to a single installer, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to access solar in the UK.

The scheme is run by iChoosr on behalf of participating local authorities. When enough homeowners register, iChoosr runs a reverse auction where pre-vetted installers bid for the collective contract — the price falls as the number of participants grows. Participants receive a personalised offer (not an average, but a quote based on their specific property details), which they are free to accept or decline.

Solar Together operates in several regions including Greater London, Surrey, Essex, West Sussex, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and others. Registration periods typically open once or twice per year. To find out whether your council is participating, visit sola.iChoosr.com or check your local council's website.

The typical saving is £1,500–£2,500 on a 4kW system compared to going direct to a single installer, and the installer quality tends to be high because iChoosr's vetting process removes poor performers. The scheme is not available nationwide, but if it operates in your area it is worth registering before approaching individual installers.

See our full breakdown of solar panel grants and funding for the complete picture of financial support available.

Sunsave Plus: Solar Subscription Model

Sunsave Plus is not a grant scheme — it is a subscription model that allows homeowners to access solar panels and a battery for a monthly fee with zero upfront payment. At £69 per month on a 10-year term, it is designed for households that want the benefits of solar without the capital outlay of buying a system outright.

The Sunsave Plus subscription includes:

• Solar panel installation (typically 3.6kW–5kW depending on property assessment)
• A home battery (usually 5.2kWh Sunsave Powerstore)
• Full maintenance and monitoring for the subscription term
• Insurance cover for the equipment
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) income retained by the homeowner

The total cost over 10 years at £69/month is £8,280 — comparable to the mid-range installed cost of a 4kW system with battery. The advantage is the removal of upfront risk: if the system underperforms or requires major repairs, Sunsave bears the cost. At end of term, you can extend the subscription, purchase the system outright, or have it removed. To understand how much you’ll save on bills versus the monthly fee, use actual consumption data from your energy account.

Sunsave Plus is worth considering if you have limited savings but own your home (it is not available to renters), have a good credit profile (subscription approval involves a credit check), and want to avoid tying up capital in a home improvement asset. However, if you can access the upfront cost — or qualify for a 0% VAT installation — purchasing outright gives a better long-term return.

Rent-a-Roof Schemes: What to Avoid

The term “free solar panels” was historically associated with rent-a-roof schemes, where a third party installed panels on your roof at no cost in exchange for the electricity and the Feed-in Tariff payments. The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applications in 2019, and with it the commercial model that made rent-a-roof viable. However, variations of these schemes still circulate — and some are genuinely problematic.

In a rent-a-roof or solar lease arrangement, a company installs panels on your roof for free and retains ownership. You may use some or all of the electricity generated, but the company keeps the export income and any government payments. Key problems with these arrangements include:

• Conveyancing complications: A lease on your roof is a legal encumbrance on your property. Many mortgage lenders refuse to lend on properties with roof leases, which can prevent you from remortgaging or selling
• Long lease terms: Arrangements typically run 20–25 years, with restrictive clauses about removal or early termination
• No financial benefit: Without the Feed-in Tariff, you receive electricity from panels on your own roof but generate no income, while the operator retains any export payments
• Maintenance liability ambiguity: If the operator goes bust, you may be left with panels on your roof and no-one to maintain or remove them

If you are approached by a company offering truly free solar panel installation in 2026 — with no monthly fee and no catch — ask for the full legal documentation before agreeing to anything. Any legitimate arrangement that generates value for a third party will come with legally binding obligations on your part. Use our free tool to calculate your savings and establish a baseline for comparing any offer you receive.

For households who do not qualify for grants and want to understand the genuine costs and returns of a purchased system, our guides to are solar panels worth it and solar panel output cover the financial analysis in detail. The best solar panels guide explains which panel specifications give the best value if you are buying.

Laura Bennet

Home Energy & Sustainability Editor

Laura leads coverage on home energy, heating, and sustainable living. With over 12 years in the UK energy sector, she writes about boilers, solar panels, insulation, and eco-friendly upgrades that reduce household costs.

Reviewed by

Tom Reynolds

Business Energy Specialist