Solar Grants & Incentives — 2026 Guide
Everything available to reduce the cost of solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers in the UK right now.
Updated March 2026 · Verified against current DESNZ and Ofgem guidance
What's Available in 2026
There's no single large grant for most homeowners — but several schemes combine to significantly reduce the cost of going solar.
Zero VAT on Solar & Battery
All residential solar panel and battery storage installations qualify for 0% VAT until at least March 2027. On a typical £8,000 system, this saves £1,333.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Get paid for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. Income varies by supplier — the best rates currently around 15p/kWh from Octopus Energy.
OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant
Up to £350 off a home EV charger installation for qualifying customers in flats and rental properties. We handle the application.
0% VAT on Solar Panels — How It Works
From 1 April 2022, the UK government reduced VAT on solar panel and battery storage installations to 0%. This is currently confirmed until at least March 2027.
What's covered at 0% VAT
- Solar panels (all types)
- Hybrid and string inverters
- Battery storage systems
- Mounting systems and scaffolding
- All associated labour
What's NOT covered
- EV chargers (20% VAT applies)
- General electrical works unrelated to the solar installation
- Consumer unit upgrades (20% VAT — though typically a small cost)
What does it actually save?
- £6,500 system → saves £1,083 vs 20% VAT
- £8,500 system → saves £1,417 vs 20% VAT
- £12,000 solar + battery → saves £2,000 vs 20% VAT
The 0% rate applies to the entire installation — panels, inverter, battery, mounting, cabling, and labour — when purchased as a single service from an installer. All our quotes are issued at 0% VAT for qualifying residential installations.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The SEG replaced the old Feed-in Tariff in January 2020. Unlike the FiT, there's no fixed government rate — suppliers compete to offer the best rates.
| Supplier | Tariff Name | Export Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus | Up to 15p/kWh | Variable rate, requires smart meter |
| EDF Energy | SEG Tariff | 3–7p/kWh | Fixed rate options available |
| E.ON Next | Next SEG | 4.1p/kWh | Fixed rate, 12-month term |
| British Gas | Solar Export | 3.4p/kWh | Standard rate, no time-of-use |
Important: To qualify for SEG, your installation must be MCS certified and your property must have a smart meter (or be willing to have one installed — free from your energy supplier). We issue MCS certificates on every installation we complete.
A 4kWp system with no battery exports approximately 2,500 kWh/year. At 7.5p/kWh average, that's around £187/year in export income. This is why battery storage improves economics — it lets you use more of that energy yourself at 28p/kWh rather than selling it for 7.5p.
OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant — Up to £350
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) provides a grant of up to £350 toward the cost of installing a home EV charger for qualifying customers.
Who qualifies?
- Homeowners living in a flat
- Renters with landlord permission
- Must own or have ordered an eligible EV or PHEV
- Must use an OZEV-approved installer (we are)
- Must have dedicated off-street parking
Who does NOT qualify?
- Homeowners in detached, semi or terraced houses (unless renting)
- Those without off-street parking
- Businesses (a separate workplace scheme applies)
How does it work?
- We apply on your behalf at no extra charge
- Grant is deducted from your invoice directly
- You don't handle any money — it's seamless
- Allow a few extra days for grant approval before booking
The grant reduces a standard smart charger installation from £899 to around £549 for qualifying customers. Call us or use the calculator to get a fixed quote — we'll confirm your eligibility during the assessment.
Claim What You're Entitled To
We'll advise on every available incentive during your free survey — and handle all applicable grant applications on your behalf.
MCS certified • OZEV approved • Based in Milton Keynes