The solar panels were installed through a government scheme usually for those on benefits, but wealthier households can qualify too
When a letter landed on the doormat telling my girlfriend and I that we might be eligible for energy upgrades to our home, we couldn’t quite believe it.
So much so, we ignored it, and it took a second piece of paper coming through the letterbox for us to investigate further.
Fast forward a few months and we’re the proud owners of a set of solar panels that are slashing our electricity bills and helping the environment – and we didn’t have to spend a penny.
How did we manage it? Through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
The £500 million scheme launched in April this year and is expected to run until March 2028.
Through the scheme, eligible households can get environmentally-friendly upgrades made to their home that also cut energy bills.
This includes wall, loft and underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels.
To qualify, your home must be in England, privately owned by yourself or a landlord and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G.
Your household income must usually be £36,000 a year or under, however you can still qualify if you earn more than this and you live in a certain postcode area or you or another resident are on benefits including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit. There is an eligibility checker via gov.uk.
Read more: Money Week
