Funded solar eligibility checker for 2026
Eligibility for funded solar depends on what you are after and what kind of property you have. Read the plain-English criteria below, then run the check and we will confirm your routes.
0% VAT — almost everyone with a home
The widest route. If you are installing domestic solar PV or battery storage on a residential property in Great Britain before 31 March 2027, you qualify for 0% VAT automatically. No income test, no application — the installer simply quotes the zero-rated price.
Smart Export Guarantee — MCS install + meter
To be paid for exported solar you need an MCS-certified installation and a smart or export meter, and you apply through a licensed supplier offering an SEG tariff. Most new domestic systems qualify; the variable is which supplier pays the best export rate.
Zero-deposit finance and PPAs — credit and roof dependent
Finance eligibility depends on a credit check and the lender's criteria; PPA eligibility depends on your roof being suitable enough for the provider to invest. South-facing or east–west roofs with minimal shading make the strongest case. We will be honest if your roof is unlikely to attract a PPA.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme — England & Wales, fossil replacement
The £7,500 heat-pump grant applies to homes and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales, replacing fossil-fuel heating, with a valid EPC (no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation in most cases). It funds heat, not solar — but it is worth claiming if a heat pump is on your list.
Business capital allowances — profitable companies
AIA and the 50% First-Year Allowance only help if your business pays tax against which to set the deduction. Sole traders, partnerships and companies can all qualify in principle; the value depends on your profits and tax position. Your accountant confirms the exact relief.
Means-tested help — currently limited
With ECO4 closed, grant-funded "free" routes for low-income households are limited in 2026. Some local and supplier schemes persist, and the Warm Homes Plan may expand support. If you are on a qualifying benefit, tell us and we will flag anything genuinely open in your area — without overpromising.