{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "name": "kilowatts.uk", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/images/kw-logo-large.png" }, "description": "kilowatts.uk is the UK's renewable energy marketplace — connecting homeowners and businesses with MCS-certified solar, heat pump, battery storage, wind power, and EV charging installers, with free comparison tools and independent guides.", "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+448000096058", "contactType": "customer service", "contactOption": "TollFree", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+447378472152", "contactType": "mobile", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/kilowatts.uk", "https://www.instagram.com/kilowatts.uk", "https://www.tiktok.com/@kilowatts.uk", "https://www.youtube.com/@kilowattsuk", "https://twitter.com/kilowattsuk" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Carey, Northwood Rd", "addressLocality": "Broadstairs", "postalCode": "CT10 2RZ", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "hasPart": [ { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization/local" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-residential-app", "name": "Residential Solar Panel Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/residential/renewable-energy/residential-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "Utility", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-commercial-app", "name": "Commercial Solar Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/commercial/renewable-energy/commercial-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#solar-industrial-app", "name": "Industrial Solar Comparison Tool", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/industrial/renewable-energy/industrial-solar-panel-installation/compare/", "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication", "operatingSystem": "All" }, { "@type": "WebApplication", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#wind-tool", "name": "Wind Turbine Calculator", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/services/wind-power/flower-turbines/", "applicationCategory": "Utility", "operatingSystem": "All" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/#website", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk", "name": "kilowatts.uk", "description": "kilowatts.uk is the UK's renewable energy marketplace — connecting homeowners and businesses with MCS-certified solar, heat pump, battery storage, wind power, and EV charging installers, with free comparison tools and independent guides.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk#organization" }, "about": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/about-us/#webpage" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "name": "Breadcrumb", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/#webpage-breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Government Solar Panel Scheme 2026: A Guide to UK Support Routes", "item": { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/" } } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/#faq", "url": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/#faq", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "isPartOf": [ { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/#webpage" }, { "@id": "https://kilowatts.uk/resources/government-solar-panel-scheme-2026-a-guide-to-uk-support-routes/#content" } ], "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there a UK government solar panel scheme in 2026?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "There is no single UK-wide government scheme in 2026 that gives free solar panels to every household. Support is targeted and usually comes through ECO4 or successor arrangements, local authority routes, devolved nation programmes, social housing retrofit schemes, 0% VAT relief and Smart Export Guarantee export payments." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I get free solar panels from the government?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Some eligible households may receive fully funded or partly funded solar panels, but free solar panels are not available to everyone. Funding is usually aimed at low-income, fuel-poor or vulnerable households, and solar PV is often included only when it forms part of a wider home energy-efficiency package." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who is most likely to qualify for funded solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You are more likely to qualify if you receive qualifying means-tested benefits, live in a home with a poor EPC rating, are on a low income, are vulnerable to fuel poverty, have high electricity use or electric heating, and your roof is technically suitable for solar panels. Local council rules, landlord consent and available scheme funding can also affect eligibility." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does ECO4 pay for solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "ECO4 can include solar PV in some cases, but it is not a dedicated solar panel grant. It is an energy-efficiency obligation for eligible low-income, fuel-poor or vulnerable households, and solar is usually considered as part of a package that may also include insulation, heating improvements and controls." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When does ECO4 end?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "ECO4 has published scheme dates running to March 2026. If you apply around that period, check whether the offer is under ECO4, a transition arrangement or a replacement scheme, as rules and funding may change." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the Great British Insulation Scheme a solar panel grant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. The Great British Insulation Scheme is mainly designed to support insulation measures, not solar panels. It can still be relevant because improving insulation may reduce energy use and may be prioritised before solar PV is considered." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is local authority flexible eligibility?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Local authority flexible eligibility, often called LA Flex, allows councils to refer households for support where they may not meet standard benefit rules but are still at risk of fuel poverty. Councils set their own criteria, which may consider income, energy costs, health conditions, vulnerability and property condition." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can renters apply for solar panel support?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Private renters usually need landlord permission before any solar panels or major retrofit measures can be installed. Social housing tenants normally need to go through their council or housing association, as the landlord usually controls roof works and retrofit programmes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can leasehold flats get solar panels through a scheme?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Leasehold flats can be more complicated because the applicant may not control the roof. Freeholder consent, lease terms, managing agent approval, roof access and how the electricity will be used all matter. In some blocks, solar may be installed for communal areas rather than individual flats." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does 0% VAT apply to solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Under current rules, 0% VAT can reduce the installed cost of qualifying domestic solar panels and eligible battery storage. It is not a grant and is normally applied by the installer on the invoice rather than claimed separately by the homeowner." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Smart Export Guarantee?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Smart Export Guarantee is a Great Britain scheme that pays eligible small-scale generators, including solar PV owners, for surplus electricity exported to the grid. It is not an upfront grant, and you normally apply after the solar system has been installed and commissioned." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use both a grant and the Smart Export Guarantee?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In many cases, a household with an eligible solar installation may be able to receive export payments after installation, but you must check who owns the system and who is entitled to the export income. In funded, leased, landlord-led or social housing installations, the export payment position should be confirmed in writing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What documents might I need when applying for support?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You may need proof of identity, proof of address, benefit award letters, income evidence, Council Tax details, an EPC certificate, recent energy bills, tenancy documents, landlord or freeholder consent, roof photos, meter details and information about your current heating and insulation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does passing an eligibility check guarantee solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. An eligibility check only confirms that you may meet income, benefit or property criteria. A full assessment is still needed to check roof condition, shading, structure, electrical safety, grid connection, permissions, scheme rules and whether solar PV fits the required retrofit package." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What roof conditions can stop solar panels being installed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar panels may not be suitable if the roof is in poor condition, heavily shaded, too small, structurally unsuitable, difficult to access or likely to need replacement soon. Installing panels on a roof that needs major repairs can lead to extra costs later because the panels may need to be removed and refitted." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need planning permission for solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many domestic roof-mounted solar panel installations are permitted development, but rules vary across the UK. Listed buildings, conservation areas, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and unusual roof layouts may require extra checks or consent." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should an installer check before fitting solar panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A good installer should check roof condition, orientation, pitch, shading, structural suitability, electrical safety, consumer unit condition, earthing, cable routes, inverter and battery location, scaffolding needs, planning constraints and grid connection requirements. They should also provide clear handover documents, warranties and certification." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are G98 and G99 grid connection rules?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "G98 and G99 are grid connection processes used for small-scale generation such as solar PV. Smaller systems may be installed under G98 notification rules, while larger systems, higher export capacities or more complex solar-and-battery installations may need G99 approval from the Distribution Network Operator before installation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much do domestic solar panels cost without grant funding?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A typical domestic solar PV system is often around 3kW to 5kW. A 3kW system may cost roughly £5,000 to £7,000, a 4kW system roughly £6,000 to £8,500, and a 5kW system roughly £7,500 to £10,500. Battery storage can commonly add around £3,000 to £8,000 depending on capacity and brand." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much electricity do solar panels generate in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A 1kWp solar PV array in the UK often generates around 750kWh to 1,100kWh per year, depending on location, orientation, pitch, shading and equipment. Southern England is usually toward the higher end of the range, while northern Scotland is usually lower." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are solar batteries included in government solar schemes?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A battery may be included in some installations, but it should not be assumed. Funded schemes decide measures based on eligibility, property need, technical suitability and scheme rules. For self-funded installations, a battery can increase use of solar electricity at home but adds cost and is not automatically worthwhile for every household." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do solar panels or batteries work during a power cut?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most standard solar and battery systems shut down during a power cut for safety. Backup power is only available if specific backup equipment and circuits are designed into the installation, so this should be confirmed before you buy or accept an offer." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are common warning signs of a misleading solar grant offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Be cautious if a company says every household qualifies for free government solar panels, pressures you to sign immediately, asks for a large upfront payment before eligibility is confirmed, gives unrealistic savings figures, cannot explain the funding route, or will not provide installer credentials and scheme details in writing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I ask before accepting a funded solar offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Ask who owns the panels, whether any contribution or finance is required, whether MCS certification will be provided, whether TrustMark registration applies, who handles the grid notification or approval, who receives export payments, what warranties are included, who maintains the system, and whether roof repairs, scaffolding and bird protection are included." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I do first if I want solar panel support in 2026?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Start by checking your EPC rating, Council Tax band, benefit position, tenure and whether you need landlord or freeholder consent. 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