Free Solar Panel Grants

for homes with oil boilers

Find out in 5 seconds if you are eligible for
100% FREE energy efficiency upgrades

Simply enter your postcode to find out...

This 100% Government backed nationwide scheme delivers free energy efficiency improvements as part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).

FREE solar panel grants available for homes with oil boilers

If you have an existing oil boiler or solid fuel boiler then you may qualify for a Government backed grant to install solar panels for free or substantially discounted.

Apply today if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

  1. NO GAS BOILER installed in the property. Applications will be rejected.
  2. own your own home or privately rent
  3. your property must have an existing oil boiler / solid fuel boiler
  4. you or someone in your household receives government benefits (Housing Benefits, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefits (within income caps), JSA, ESA, UC, Pension Credit - PCGC & PCSC, Income Support)

Free solar panel installation: helps lower energy bills
at a time when energy bills are escalating.

Reasons why you should install solar panels
  • Energy efficient, low-carbon heating alternative.
  • Helps lower energy bills at a time when energy bills are escalating.
  • Quick and professional installation in just 1-2 days.
  • The UK is well adapted to solar power as we have more than 8 hours of sunlight each day all year round and don't frequently encounter high temperatures.
  • Last a long time (up to 40 years +) and require little to no maintenance, adding value to your property.
  • Warranties lasting up to 20 years.
  • Clean, non-polluting and sustainable electricity resulting in no emissions.
  • Solar panels can still generate on gloomy days and don’t need direct sunlight to work.
  • Solar panels are a great option because they generate electricity for the home using daylight as the source, so are a low-carbon, renewable energy. Not only can the energy produced heat power your home, the excess can be stored in batteries for use later, or can even be sold back to the grid.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU HAVE A GAS BOILER

How do solar panels work?

Photovoltaic cells, which are used to create solar panels, transform the energy of the sun into electricity. When sunshine strikes each layer of the solar panel, its unique electronic properties energise and produce an electric field, creating the current needed to produce electricity. Electricity produced by solar panels is in the DC (direct current) form. This is then put through an inverter to turn it into into AC (alternating current) that can be used by the building the solar panels are mounted on fed into the National Grid.

Does the solar panel grant have to be repaid?

The ECO4 energy efficiency scheme aims to help low-income households in raising their homes' energy efficiency - any grant payments awarded are non-repayable. Grant recipients who qualify will receive money for solar PV system installation in their homes. Following a free evaluation at your home, it may be necessary in some circumstances to contribute to the installation costs. However, this will be clearly stated up front.

Is planning permission required for solar panel installation?

Solar panels typically do not require planning approval. The only exceptions are if your property is in a conservation area, has a flat roof, or is a listed building. In some situations, your local authority's building control team's consent may be needed.

Who Pays For The Solar Panels & Installation?

The money to pay for the Solar Panels & Installation comes from energy suppliers as part of a government scheme to reduce carbon emissions, known as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO4). An initial survey is carried out by an approved solar panel installer, the installer completes the work on the approved property and the installer then invoices the utility companies for the grant amount.


If for any reason you don’t qualify for the full grant you could still qualify for a large contribution to the cost of the work, meaning a small amount is to be paid.

Qualifying Benefits

To qualify for funding, someone living in the property needs to be in receipt of at least one of the benefits listed below:

  • Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support (IS)
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC)
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
  • Child Benefit, (within the income caps, see Chapter 5 of the ECO4 Guidance: Delivery)

* Household income limits apply

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