Solar power for UK homes and businesses.
Whether you want fully-funded solar through a government scheme, a private installation with battery storage, or a commercial rooftop system for your business — we'll match you with a vetted MCS-certified installer.
Why solar makes sense right now
Panel prices have fallen more than 80% over the last decade and UK electricity costs remain high. Combined with 0% VAT on installations until March 2027, payback periods are typically 6–10 years.
Cut bills up to 70%
A typical 4kW system generates around 3,400 kWh a year — enough to offset most daytime usage.
Smart Export Guarantee
Get paid by your energy supplier for surplus electricity you export back to the grid.
Lower carbon footprint
A home solar system typically avoids around 1 tonne of CO₂ emissions per year.
25-year panel warranties
Modern panels are guaranteed to still perform at 80%+ output after 25 years.
Store your solar, use it after sunset.
A home battery stores excess solar generated during the day so you can power your home in the evening — the period when most households use the most electricity. Batteries can also charge from the grid on cheap overnight tariffs (like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus) for extra savings.
- Typical capacity: 5–15 kWh (Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, Fox ESS, SolarEdge)
- Increases self-consumption of solar from ~40% up to ~80%
- 0% VAT on batteries — even when retrofitted without solar (since Feb 2024)
- Backup power available on hybrid inverters during grid outages
Typical residential setup
- Solar array
- 4.0 kWp (10 panels)
- Battery
- 5–10 kWh
- Annual generation
- ~3,400 kWh
- Annual bill saving
- £900 – £1,300
- Install cost (private)
- £8,000 – £13,000
- Payback
- 6 – 10 years
Figures are indicative — a site survey confirms exact numbers for your roof.
Solar for warehouses, farms, offices and industrial units.
Commercial rooftops are ideal for solar — large unshaded areas, daytime electricity demand that matches generation, and access to tax incentives that aren't available to households.
50kW – 1MW+ systems
Scaled to your roof space and daytime load, typically covering 40–80% of annual electricity use.
Full expensing (super-deduction era)
Businesses can claim 100% first-year capital allowance on qualifying solar equipment — reducing corporation tax.
PPA & lease options
Power Purchase Agreements let a third party install and own the system while you pay only for the electricity generated.
3 – 6 year payback
Shorter than residential due to higher self-consumption and commercial energy prices.
ESG & Scope 2 reporting
Reduces Scope 2 emissions and supports sustainability reporting for tenders and investors.
Battery + EV charging
Pair with commercial battery storage and workplace EV charging for maximum ROI.
UK solar funding routes
There's no standalone "solar grant" in the UK, but several schemes and tax reliefs can heavily reduce — or fully cover — the cost.
ECO4 (bundled)
Who: Homeowners / private tenants on qualifying benefits, low EPC (D–G).
What: Solar PV can be included as a secondary measure alongside insulation or a heat pump under ECO4.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
Who: Low-income households in eligible council areas (replacing HUG2 from 2025).
What: Council-administered upgrades that can include solar PV where cost-effective.
0% VAT (private)
Who: Any homeowner buying solar and/or battery privately.
What: 0% VAT on installation until 31 March 2027 — saves roughly £1,000 on a typical system.
Smart Export Guarantee
Who: All new solar owners with an MCS-certified install.
What: Suppliers must pay you for every kWh you export. Best rates are currently 15–27p / kWh.
Commercial capital allowances
Who: UK businesses paying corporation tax.
What: Full expensing / AIA on solar equipment — cuts effective system cost by up to 25%.
How to get solar with GrantCheck
Free eligibility check
Answer a few questions about your property and we'll flag every route you qualify for.
Site survey & quote
An MCS-certified installer surveys your roof (or commercial site) and issues a written quote.
Install in 1–2 days
Residential installs typically take a single day. Commercial systems are phased with no downtime.
MCS certificate & SEG setup
You receive an MCS certificate and we help you register for the Smart Export Guarantee.
Solar FAQs
Do UK solar grants really exist?
There's no standalone solar-only grant, but solar can be bundled into ECO4 or Warm Homes: Local Grant for qualifying households. Everyone else benefits from 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee.
Is my roof suitable?
Pitched south / east / west-facing roofs with minimal shade are ideal, but flat roofs and even north-facing pitches (with more panels) can work. A survey confirms it.
Do I need planning permission?
Most domestic solar is permitted development. Listed buildings, conservation areas and some commercial sites may need consent — the installer handles this.
Can I add a battery later?
Yes. Modern hybrid inverters make battery retrofits straightforward, and 0% VAT applies to standalone battery installs too.
How is commercial solar priced?
Typically £700–£1,000 per kWp installed, dropping at scale. A 100kW system on a warehouse would cost around £70–90k with a 4–6 year payback.
Get a personalised solar quote.
Tell us about your property and we'll match you with a vetted MCS-certified installer for a free site assessment and fixed-price quote — usually within 1 working day.
- MCS-certified UK installers only
- Residential, battery-only and commercial rooftop
- We check every grant and funding route you qualify for
- No sales pressure — you're in control
hello@grantcheck.co.uk
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