ECO4 officially ended on 31st March 2026, but you can still get free or heavily funded solar panels. Furthermore, through the Warm Homes Plan, Warm Homes Local Grant, Smart Export Guarantee, and 0% VAT, eligible UK homeowners can access £9,000–£30,000 in solar funding. Moreover, KindEnergy’s MCS certification unlocks every scheme on this page.
⚡ ECO4 Has Ended, Here Is What Replaced It
Millions of homeowners are asking the same urgent question right now. Furthermore, after ECO4 closed on 31st March 2026, the landscape changed overnight.
The good news: Multiple replacement schemes are active immediately. Moreover, in some cases, the new funding is more generous than ECO4 ever was.
Complete Solar Funding Comparison Table (April 2026):
| Scheme | Who Qualifies | Max Value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes Plan | All homeowners (income-based tiers) | £30,000 | ✅ Active |
| Warm Homes Local Grant | EPC D or below, income under £36,000 | £15,000 | ✅ Active |
| Green Energy Loan | All homeowners, any income | 0% interest loan | ✅ Active |
| Smart Export Guarantee | MCS-certified installations | £150–£300/year | ✅ Ongoing |
| 0% VAT Relief | All residential solar | £1,000–£1,500 saving | ✅ Until March 2027 |
| Heat Pump Grant | All homeowners | £7,500 | ✅ Active |
Furthermore, KindEnergy helps every customer navigate all applicable schemes simultaneously. Subsequently, you may qualify for multiple funding streams at once.
Can I Still Get Free Solar Panels in the UK After ECO4 Ends?
Yes. Furthermore, eligible low-income households can still receive free solar panels worth £9,000–£12,000 through the Warm Homes Local Grant.
Warm Homes Local Grant Eligibility:
- ✅ EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- ✅ Household income under £36,000
- ✅ Homeowner or private tenant (with landlord consent)
- ✅ Property in England (Scotland and Wales have separate schemes)
Moreover, the Warm Homes Local Grant specifically targets households that ECO4 previously served. Furthermore, it prioritises homes most in need of energy efficiency improvements.
Important: Only MCS-certified installers like KindEnergy can deliver Warm Homes Local Grant installations. Subsequently, choosing the right installer is essential to accessing this funding.
What Is the Warm Homes Plan, and How Does It Help with Solar?
The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government’s flagship replacement for ECO4. Furthermore, it is described as the largest energy efficiency initiative in British history.
Warm Homes Plan Solar Benefits:
| Benefit | Who Gets It | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Fully funded solar package | Low-income households | Up to £30,000 |
| 0% Green Energy Loan | All homeowners | Full installation cost |
| Combined solar + heat pump | Low-income | Solar + £7,500 heat pump |
| Solar + insulation bundle | Low-income | Complete whole-home upgrade |
| SEG registration support | All solar owners | £150–£300/year ongoing |
0% Interest Green Energy Loans
This is the game-changer for households that don’t qualify for free installations. Furthermore, the Green Energy Loan allows any homeowner, regardless of income, to finance solar panels at 0% interest.
Moreover, combined with 0% VAT, a typical 4kW system costs around £5,200 with zero interest repayment options. Subsequently, the monthly cost can be lower than your current electricity bill savings.
How Much Can a KindEnergy Solar Installation Save in 2026?
This is the question that matters most. Furthermore, real numbers from KindEnergy installations tell the complete story.
Kind Energy Savings by System Size (2026):
| System Size | System Cost | Annual Savings | SEG Income | Total Annual | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | £4,200 | £550 | £120 | £670 | 6 years |
| 4 kW | £5,200 | £650 | £150 | £765 | 7 years |
| 6 kW | £7,200 | £800 | £175 | £900 | 8 years |
| 10 kW | £11,000 | £1,000 | £200 | £1,150 | 9 years |
Furthermore, adding Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage pushes bill reductions to 80%, with lifetime savings of £19,000–£30,000 over 25 years.
Why 2026 Costs Are Historically Low:
- Panel prices down 20% from 2024
- 0% VAT saves £1,000–£1,500 per installation
- A competitive market drives installer efficiency
- Manufacturing advances reduce component costs
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee, and How Much Will I Earn?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays homeowners for every unit of surplus solar electricity exported to the National Grid. Furthermore, this is an ongoing annual income for the life of your panels.
Current SEG Rates by Supplier (April 2026):
| Supplier | SEG Rate | Annual Income (4kW) |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 15p/kWh | £280–£320 |
| EDF Energy | 8p/kWh | £150–£175 |
| British Gas | 6p/kWh | £110–£130 |
| E.ON | 5.5p/kWh | £100–£120 |
| Scottish Power | 4p/kWh | £75–£90 |
Furthermore, the SEG is included in KindEnergy’s projected £765/year total saving figure for a 4kW system. Moreover, to qualify for SEG payments, your system must be installed by an MCS-certified installer.
KindEnergy is fully MCS-certified — every installation automatically qualifies for SEG from day one.
Does Solar Installation Qualify for 0% VAT in 2026?
Yes. Furthermore, all residential solar panel and battery storage installations are charged at 0% VAT, confirmed until at least March 2027.
What the 0% VAT Covers:
- ✅ Solar panels and mounting systems
- ✅ Inverters and monitoring equipment
- ✅ Battery storage systems (including Tesla Powerwall 3)
- ✅ Installation labour
- ✅ Electrical connection work
VAT Saving on a Typical 4kW System:
| Cost Component | With 20% VAT | With 0% VAT | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4kW Solar System | £6,240 | £5,200 | £1,040 |
| + Battery Storage | £11,400 | £9,500 | £1,900 |
| Combined System | £17,640 | £14,700 | £2,940 |
Moreover, KindEnergy is MCS-certified, ensuring all installations fully qualify for 0% VAT treatment. Furthermore, this saving is automatic — no application required.
How KindEnergy Unlocks Every Scheme For You
At KindEnergy, we don’t just install solar panels. Furthermore, we act as your dedicated funding navigator for every available scheme.
Our Funding Support Process:
- Free eligibility assessment—we check all four funding streams
- Warm Homes Plan application — handled by our team
- Warm Homes Local Grant—we coordinate with local councils
- Green Energy Loan—we guide you through the application
- SEG registration — included in every installation
- 0% VAT — automatically applied to all quotes
Furthermore, as MCS-certified installers, KindEnergy is required to access ECO4 replacements. Moreover, our expertise across all schemes means you never miss available funding.
KindEnergy Service Areas:
- London and Greater London
- Buckinghamshire — Beaconsfield, Amersham, High Wycombe
- Oxfordshire — Oxford, Bicester, Banbury
- Northamptonshire — Northampton, Towcester, Brackley
- ETC
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get free solar panels in the UK after ECO4 ends in 2026?
Yes. Eligible low-income households (EPC D or below, income under £36,000) can receive free solar worth £9,000–£12,000 through the Warm Homes Local Grant. MCS-certified installers like KindEnergy are required to unlock this funding.
What is the Warm Homes Plan, and how does it help with solar in 2026?
The Warm Homes Plan replaces ECO4 as Britain’s largest energy efficiency programme. It provides 0% interest green energy loans for all homeowners, plus fully funded solar packages worth up to £30,000 for low-income households.
How much can a KindEnergy solar installation save me in 2026?
A 4kW KindEnergy system costs £5,200 and saves £765/year. Adding the Tesla Powerwall 3 pushes savings to an 80% bill reduction with £19,000–£30,000 lifetime savings over 25 years.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee, and how much will I earn?
The SEG pays 4p–15p per kWh for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. A typical 4kW system earns £150–£300/year. MCS-certified installation by KindEnergy is required to qualify.
Does solar installation qualify for 0% VAT in the UK in 2026?
Yes. All residential solar panels and batteries are charged at 0% VAT, confirmed until March 2027. This saves £1,000–£1,500 on a typical 4kW system. KindEnergy installations automatically qualify.
🎯 Conclusion
ECO4 has ended, but solar panel grants in the UK after ECO4 are alive and available right now. Furthermore, through the Warm Homes Plan, Warm Homes Local Grant, Smart Export Guarantee, and 0% VAT, eligible UK homeowners can access unprecedented funding for solar.
The opportunity is clear:
- ✅ Free solar for low-income households (up to £30,000)
- ✅ 0% interest loans for all homeowners
- ✅ £765/year savings on a standard 4kW system
- ✅ £1,000–£1,500 saved through 0% VAT
- ✅ £150–£300/year SEG income for life
- ✅ 80% bill reduction with Tesla Powerwall 3
The urgency is real. Furthermore, Warm Homes Local Grant funding is limited and allocated regionally. Moreover, the homeowners who act now secure the best funding and the shortest installation waiting times.
Check your eligibility for Warm Homes funding with KindEnergy — free assessment, no obligation.
Must Read: Solar Energy Boom 2026
👉 Book Your Free Eligibility Assessment
Sources:
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – “Warm Homes Plan Framework” (April 2026)
- Ofgem – “Warm Homes Local Grant Guidance” (April 2026)
- MCS – “Certified Installer Requirements” (2026)
- Ofgem – “Smart Export Guarantee Rates” (April 2026)
- HMRC – “VAT Relief on Energy-Saving Materials” (2026)