Warm Homes Plan: Solar Panels & Funding Explained
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government’s flagship home-upgrade programme, replacing ECO and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme with a single £13.2bn pot for insulation, heat pumps, and — for some households — solar panels.
Quick Answer
The Warm Homes Plan is a £13.2bn UK government programme launched in 2024 that funds insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels for low-income households and social housing. Solar panels are funded under two streams: the Warm Homes: Local Grant (delivered by local authorities for low-income owner-occupiers and private renters) and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (for housing associations and councils). Eligibility depends on household income, EPC rating (typically D-G), and your local authority's scheme — you cannot apply directly to central government.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is a UK government policy commitment of £13.2 billion over five years (2024–2029) to upgrade the energy efficiency of around five million homes. It was announced as part of Labour’s 2024 manifesto and is now being delivered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Rather than a single scheme, the Warm Homes Plan is an umbrella covering several streams of funding:
- Warm Homes: Local Grant — for low-income owner-occupiers and private renters in lower-EPC homes, delivered through local authorities.
- Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund — for housing associations and councils to upgrade their stock.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (continued)— £7,500 grants for heat pumps and biomass boilers, available to all UK homeowners.
- ECO4 (continuing until March 2026) and its successor — obligations on energy suppliers to fund efficiency upgrades for fuel-poor households.
Solar panels are funded under the Local Grant and Social Housing Fund streams, alongside (and often in combination with) insulation, heat pumps, and ventilation upgrades.
Who is eligible for solar panels under the Warm Homes Plan?
Eligibility varies by funding stream. The most common route for solar panels is the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which targets low-income households living in poorly insulated homes.
Owner-occupiers & private renters
- Annual household income below £36,000 (varies by area)
- Property has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Live in a participating local authority area
- Property is your main residence (not a holiday home)
Social housing tenants
- Eligibility is decided by your housing provider
- Property must be EPC D or below to qualify
- Solar bundled with insulation upgrades
- Tenant consent required, but no income test
Some local authorities also accept means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA) as proof of eligibility regardless of income. Always check your council’s specific rules.
How much funding can I get for solar?
The Warm Homes Plan does not set a fixed grant amount per technology. Instead, your local authority assesses your property and funds a package of measures that delivers the biggest carbon and bill saving for the budget available.
| Measure | Typical funding range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV (3–4kW) | £5,000–£9,000 | Often fully funded for eligible households |
| Solar + battery | £8,000–£14,000 | Battery typically only funded for off-gas-grid homes |
| Loft insulation | £500–£1,500 | Bundled with solar |
| Heat pump (via BUS) | £7,500 | Universal grant, not income-tested |
In most Local Grant projects, eligible households pay £0 contribution. Some authorities may require a small contribution for higher-cost bundles, especially when adding battery storage to solar.
Warm Homes Plan vs ECO4: what’s the difference?
ECO4 is the existing Energy Company Obligation, funded by levies on energy suppliers. The Warm Homes Plan is funded directly from government and is broader in scope. They currently run in parallel, but the Warm Homes Plan is expected to absorb ECO4’s successor when ECO4 ends in March 2026.
| Warm Homes Plan | ECO4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Funded by | HM Treasury (direct gov spending) | Energy supplier levies |
| Delivery | Local authorities & housing providers | Energy suppliers & their installers |
| Solar funded? | Yes — commonly | Yes — less common, prioritises insulation |
| Income test | Local rules (typically < £36,000) | Means-tested benefits required |
| EPC requirement | D, E, F or G | D, E, F or G |
| End date | March 2029 (current funding cycle) | March 2026 |
In practice, you will be assessed against whichever scheme delivers the best outcome — you do not need to choose. Your local authority or installer will route you through the right funding stream.
How to apply
- Check your EPC rating — if it is A, B, or C, you will not qualify under the Warm Homes Plan, but other grants (e.g. Boiler Upgrade Scheme) may still be available. Find your EPC on gov.uk.
- Find your local authority’s scheme — Warm Homes funding is delivered locally. Search “[your council] Warm Homes” or check your council’s housing/energy pages.
- Submit an application — usually an online form covering household income, benefits, EPC, and tenure. You may need to upload proof of income or benefit award letters.
- Property survey — an approved installer or assessor visits to recommend a measures bundle. Solar may be combined with insulation, ventilation, or a heat pump.
- Installation — carried out by an MCS-certified, PAS 2035-compliant installer at no (or minimal) cost to you. Lead times are typically 3–9 months from application to install.
If your council does not currently have a Warm Homes scheme, check back regularly — new local rounds open periodically as central funding is allocated.
Warm Homes Plan Solar: FAQ
Can I get free solar panels under the Warm Homes Plan?
Yes, in most cases. Eligible low-income households (typically annual income under £36,000, EPC D-G, in a participating area) can have solar panels installed at no or minimal cost under the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Social housing tenants may also qualify if their landlord participates in the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
Is the Warm Homes Plan the same as ECO4?
No. ECO4 is funded by energy suppliers and runs until March 2026. The Warm Homes Plan is funded directly by HM Treasury and runs until 2029. They currently overlap, but the Warm Homes Plan is broader and is expected to absorb ECO4's successor.
Who delivers the Warm Homes Plan?
Local authorities deliver the Local Grant element for owner-occupiers and private renters. Housing associations and councils deliver the Social Housing Fund element. Central government (DESNZ) sets the rules and allocates funding, but you cannot apply directly to central government.
What EPC rating do I need to qualify for Warm Homes solar?
Generally D, E, F, or G. The scheme targets the worst-performing homes first. If your home is already EPC C or above, you typically won't qualify under the Warm Homes Plan, though other schemes (Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Smart Export Guarantee) remain available.
Can private landlords apply for Warm Homes funding?
Indirectly. Tenants of private landlords can apply for the Local Grant if they meet the income and EPC criteria. The work is done with the landlord's consent. Landlords cannot apply for funding for their own benefit, only via tenant-led applications.
Does the Warm Homes Plan fund solar batteries?
Sometimes. Battery storage is more commonly funded for off-gas-grid homes or where solar alone wouldn't meaningfully reduce bills (e.g. high daytime occupancy is missing). Most Local Grant solar packages are panels-only, with batteries assessed case-by-case.
When does the Warm Homes Plan end?
The current funding cycle runs until March 2029 (£13.2bn over 5 years). Future Spending Reviews will determine continuation. The plan is intended as a long-term commitment, with subsequent funding rounds expected.
Can I combine the Warm Homes Plan with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (for heat pumps and biomass boilers) sits alongside the Warm Homes Plan and is available to all UK homeowners regardless of income. A single property could receive solar via Warm Homes and a heat pump via BUS.
Related Guides
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Free solar panel schemes: ECO4, GBIS, rent-a-roof history, and scam warnings.
ECO4 Scheme
ECO4 eligibility, free measures, how to apply, and common scams to avoid.
Solar Incentives
0% VAT, Smart Export Guarantee, ECO4, and business capital allowances.
EPC Upgrades
Improve your EPC rating. Costs, grants, and property value impact.
Sources
- DESNZ — Warm Homes Plan policy paper — gov.uk
- gov.uk — Find energy grants — gov.uk
- Ofgem — ECO4 — ofgem.gov.uk
Last updated: May 2026. Funding rules vary by local authority — always check your council’s scheme for the latest criteria.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.
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