ECO4 Solar Panels: Free Solar for Eligible Households
If your household receives certain benefits and your home has a low energy efficiency rating, you could qualify for free solar panels, insulation, and heating upgrades worth up to £15,000 — at no cost to you.
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ECO4 at a Glance
Answer 6 quick questions to see if you qualify for ECO4 and other UK solar grants.
What Is ECO4?
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) is a legal requirement placed on large UK energy suppliers (those with 150,000+ customers) to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income and vulnerable households. The cost is spread across the supplier's customer base — you don't repay anything if you qualify.
ECO4 replaced the previous ECO3 scheme in April 2022 and is scheduled to run until March 2026, with a total installed value target of £4 billion. It is administered by Ofgem and covers a range of "primary measures" (the main upgrade, such as solar panels or a heat pump) combined with "secondary measures" (insulation and draught-proofing to support the primary measure).
Solar PV panels became a much more prominent measure under ECO4 compared to previous versions of the scheme, reflecting the falling cost of panels and their effectiveness at reducing energy bills long-term.
Who Qualifies for ECO4 Solar Panels?
You must meet both of the following conditions:
Condition 1: Means-Tested Benefit
You or someone in your household currently receives at least one qualifying benefit:
Condition 2: Low EPC Rating
Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. Properties rated A, B, or C are not eligible.
Don't have an EPC? Find your home's certificate (free to view, £35–£120 to obtain a new one). Your ECO4 installer may arrange a survey as part of their process.
What Does ECO4 Cover?
ECO4 works on a "primary + secondary" model. A primary measure (the main energy upgrade) must be installed, and secondary measures (insulation) are often bundled to maximise energy savings and meet Ofgem's scoring targets.
Typically a 3–4kWp system (8–13 panels). Installer provides, supplies, and fits at no charge.
Replaces gas or oil boiler with an electrically-powered heat pump. Often recommended for off-gas homes.
Minimum 270mm mineral wool. One of the highest-impact measures for reducing heat loss.
Injected insulation for cavity-walled properties built after ~1930.
Full heating system for homes that have never had central heating (replacing electric storage heaters).
Internal or external insulation for solid-walled older properties. Higher cost, larger grant value.
How to Apply for ECO4
There is no single central application portal. The process works as follows:
Confirm you receive a qualifying benefit and your home's EPC rating is D or below. Use our checker above for a quick indication.
Call the ECO4 helpline of your current energy supplier (British Gas, Octopus, EDF, E.ON, etc.) or use the ECO4 government referral route. Alternatively, use the Simple Energy Advice (simpleenergyadvice.org.uk) portal.
A qualified surveyor visits your home to assess what measures are suitable and confirm EPC eligibility. This survey is free.
An approved contractor is selected (by the energy supplier, not you). You can request a choice in some cases. The contractor must be MCS-certified for solar.
Solar installation typically takes 1–2 days. Insulation measures take half a day to a full day. You'll receive all warranties and certificates.
The installer submits completion data to Ofgem for verification. You receive documentation confirming the upgrade.
Typical ECO4 Timeline
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Initial enquiry & eligibility check | 1–5 business days |
| Survey appointment | 2–6 weeks |
| Installer assignment & procurement | 4–8 weeks |
| Installation (solar) | 1–2 days on-site |
| Grid connection & DNO notification | 2–4 weeks |
| Total: enquiry to working solar | ~3–6 months |
⚠️ Watch out for scams
Fraudulent "free solar" offers have increased significantly since ECO4 launched. Protect yourself:
- • Never pay upfront for an ECO4 survey, referral, or installation
- • Check MCS certification — solar installers must be registered at mcscertified.com
- • Verify your supplier — contact energy companies directly via their official website, not via unsolicited calls
- • Avoid "solar farm" deals — some companies offer free solar in exchange for keeping export earnings for 20+ years. This is legal but not a grant.
- • Check Trustpilot / TrustMark for any installer before proceeding
💡 After ECO4: Claim your SEG payments
Once your free solar panels are installed, you can earn money by exporting surplus electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Rates range from 7p to 20p per kWh depending on your provider.
Calculate your SEG earnings →Frequently Asked Questions
What is ECO4 and how does it relate to solar panels?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a UK government scheme that legally requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency measures in low-income homes. It runs from 2022 to 2026 and has a total budget of £4 billion. Solar panels are one of the qualifying measures under ECO4, alongside loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, and first-time central heating. If you qualify, the works are installed at no cost to you.
What benefits qualify for ECO4 solar panels?
Qualifying benefits include: Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings), Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit (with income under £31,000), Working Tax Credit (with income under £31,000), Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Child Benefit (with income under specific thresholds). You must be currently receiving the benefit — past receipt does not count. Your installer will ask for proof of entitlement.
Do I need a specific EPC rating for ECO4?
Yes. Under ECO4, your property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (the lower the rating, the higher the priority). Properties rated A, B, or C are not eligible. If you don't have a current EPC, you can apply for one (costs £35–£120 from an accredited assessor) or your ECO4 installer may arrange a survey first. Some "flex" routes allow councils to recommend properties in deprived areas even without a formal EPC.
How long does the ECO4 process take?
From initial enquiry to completed installation typically takes 3–6 months, though timelines vary by installer and demand in your area. The steps are: eligibility check (~1 week), property survey (~2–4 weeks), installer confirmation, equipment procurement, installation (1–2 days for solar, 1 day for insulation), and sign-off. There is a waiting list in many areas given high demand before the 2026 deadline.
Can I get a solar battery through ECO4?
Battery storage is not currently funded under ECO4 as a standalone measure. However, some installers include small batteries within their ECO4 package at their own discretion. The upcoming Warm Homes Plan is expected to have more flexibility around battery storage.
What happens after ECO4 ends in 2026?
ECO4 is scheduled to close in March 2026. The government's replacement is the Warm Homes Plan, announced by the Labour government with a £6.6 billion budget over 5 years (2025–2030). The Warm Homes Plan is expected to continue targeting lower-income households with means-tested grants for solar, heat pumps, and insulation — potentially with higher income thresholds than ECO4.
What if I'm a tenant — can I still get ECO4 solar?
Private renters cannot directly apply for ECO4, but your landlord can apply for their rental property if it meets the eligibility criteria. Social housing tenants (housing association or council) may qualify through the "ECO Flex" route, where your housing provider applies directly. In practice, social landlords have been active ECO4 participants, and many social housing estates have received free solar and insulation upgrades.
Related Guides & Tools
Sources
Ofgem ECO4 Guidance (ofgem.gov.uk/eco4); DESNZ ECO4 Order 2022 (legislation.gov.uk); Simple Energy Advice (simpleenergyadvice.org.uk); MCS Certified Installer Database (mcscertified.com).