Free solar — how it works

Free Solar Panels UK 2026

"Free solar panels" in 2026 means the ECO4 scheme — solar funded by energy suppliers as part of their decarbonisation obligation. It IS genuinely free for eligible households. Here's the truth, the eligibility, and the gotchas.

Funding amount

Solar PV system fully funded if eligible (typical 3–4 kW system, value £5,500–£8,500). No payment from household required in most cases.

Eligible if

Receiving means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, Working/Child Tax Credit)
EPC rating D or below
Owner-occupier OR private tenant with landlord permission
South / east / west facing roof, 50%+ unshaded

Not eligible if

Households not on benefits
Properties with EPC A, B, C
Already-installed solar
Tenants in council/housing association with landlord refusal

Step by step

How the application works

Eligibility check

Quick phone call confirms benefits status, EPC rating, and roof suitability.

Survey

Free remote LiDAR + on-site visit. No obligation if not eligible.

Funding application

We submit to energy supplier on your behalf. 2–4 week approval.

Install

MCS-certified one-day install once approved.

Frequently asked

FAQs

Is "free solar" really free?

Through ECO4: yes, fully funded. Avoid offers that promise "free solar" outside ECO4 — they're typically (a) lease-to-own with you not actually owning the panels, or (b) PPA agreements where the company keeps the SEG income for 25 years.

How long does it take to apply?

Eligibility check is a 10-minute phone call. Application + approval is 2–4 weeks. Install is 4–8 weeks after approval. Total 6–12 weeks.

What's the catch?

No catch if you're genuinely eligible. The energy supplier funds the work as part of their government obligation; you keep all the savings + SEG export income.

Check your eligibility

10-minute phone call to confirm. No obligation if you're not eligible. We handle the application end-to-end.

Check Eligibility Call 0800 099 6606

Where to go next

On the commercial side, commercial solar installation.
Already have panels that are underperforming? solar panel maintenance.
Ready to move from reading to quoting? a new solar panel system.
Adding storage is usually the bigger lever: solar battery installation.

Is your system worth upgrading? Find out free.

Tell us your postcode and what you have. A real engineer reviews it and comes back within one working day with an honest answer — including when the answer is "leave it alone".