How to Get a Warm Homes Grant for Solar in 2026 UK
In 2026 UK, the Warm Homes Plan (successor to ECO4) channels grant funding for solar PV to homes that are EPC D–G and either income-qualified or in a Local Authority Flex postcode. Grants typically cover £5,000–£9,000 of a 3.6–5kW rooftop system installed by an MCS-certified, TrustMark-registered contractor. Here's the step-by-step.
Warm Homes solar grant at a glance — 2026 UK
- Grant value: typically £5,000–£9,000 toward a 3.6–5kW solar PV system
- Property condition: EPC rating D, E, F or G (check at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk)
- Household route 1 — income-based: claim or live with someone who claims Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, ESA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, JSA or Housing Benefit
- Household route 2 — LA Flex: your local authority decides eligibility based on income, vulnerability or postcode-deprivation — broader than national rules
- Installer: must be MCS-certified for solar PV and TrustMark-registered — non-negotiable for grant payment
2026 timing: Warm Homes Plan delivery contracts run to March 2028. Local Authority Flex windows open quarterly — some have waiting lists. Apply early in the financial year.
How to apply for a Warm Homes solar grant — 6 steps
- Confirm your EPC. Look it up free at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. If you don't have one or it's expired (10-year validity), book a new assessment (£60–£120).
- Check eligibility. Confirm benefits route OR contact your local authority for LA Flex application form.
- Get 3 quotes from MCS + TrustMark installers. Use the MCS installer database or our pre-vetted network. Quotes must itemise system size (kWp), panel + inverter make/model, scaffold and Building Regs Part P notification.
- Submit application via an Ofgem scheme provider (e.g. E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, British Gas, Warmworks). They'll do a desktop survey and confirm grant amount within 4–6 weeks.
- Approval and install. Once approved, the installer schedules within 6–12 weeks. You typically pay only the gap between grant and total cost (often £0–£2,500).
- MCS certificate and DNO notification. Installer must issue an MCS certificate within 10 working days and notify the Distribution Network Operator under G98/G99 within 28 days for SEG export eligibility.
2026 changes: ECO4 → Warm Homes Plan
ECO4 closed to new applications on 31 March 2026. The Warm Homes Plan (announced in the 2024 King's Speech and operational from April 2026) consolidates ECO, the Home Upgrade Grant and the Local Authority Delivery scheme into a single £13.2bn five-year programme. Two practical changes matter for solar:
- Solar is now stand-alone fundable — ECO4 required pairing with primary insulation; Warm Homes funds solar as a single measure if heating/insulation are already adequate.
- Battery storage is co-fundable — up to £2,500 extra toward a 5kWh+ battery system when installed with PV, where it improves SAP score by 3+ points.
Money-saving tip: if you're borderline EPC C/D, do not pre-improve before the energy survey — it could disqualify you. Apply first, assess afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Warm Homes Plan is the £13.2bn five-year programme that replaced ECO4 from April 2026. Unlike ECO4, it funds solar PV as a stand-alone measure (no requirement to bundle with insulation) and adds battery storage co-funding.
EPC D–G households on a qualifying income-related benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA etc.) OR households accepted under their local authority's LA Flex scheme (often deprivation, vulnerability or income-banded).
Typically £5,000–£9,000 toward a 3.6–5kW system. Add up to £2,500 for a co-installed 5kWh+ battery. Some households receive 100% funded systems; others pay a small contribution toward premium spec.
Yes — MCS certification AND TrustMark registration are mandatory under Warm Homes Plan rules. Use a non-MCS installer and the grant is voided and you lose Smart Export Guarantee eligibility.
4–6 weeks from application to grant approval; 6–12 weeks more for installation depending on installer backlog. End-to-end, 10–18 weeks is typical.
Delivery contracts run to March 2028. Funding is allocated quarterly by Ofgem to scheme providers and local authorities. Some LA Flex windows fill within 6–8 weeks of opening — apply early in each financial year.
Sources used in our 2026 grant guide
- gov.uk — Warm Homes Plan policy
- Ofgem — Environmental & social schemes
- MCS — Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- TrustMark
Methodology: Eligibility, grant range and process drawn from Ofgem's Warm Homes Plan delivery guidance (April 2026 v1.2), MCS scheme rules and our vetted MCS-installer network's recent installations. Last fact-checked: .