Homeowners in the North West may qualify for the ECO4 scheme, which supports low‑income households or those living in poorly insulated homes (typically with EPC ratings of D–G). It can cover either partial or full costs of solar systems, potentially up to 100 % if eligible—available until around March 2026 and applicable across England, Scotland, and Wales
If your local council participates in the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) or Warm Homes Plan, you might receive grants worth several thousand pounds—sometimes covering most or all installation costs. In the North West, councils such as Manchester, Liverpool City Region, and Cheshire East are included in the list of eligible authorities.
There’s also a temporary 0 % VAT rate on solar equipment, battery storage, and installation (a 5 % saving) in place up to March 2027—this often saves homeowners up to several hundred pounds on their bills.
Once your system is active, you can earn money by exporting unused electricity back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Typical SEG rates average around 13–14 p/kWh, and some tariffs go as high as 30 p/kWh—much better than the older Feed‑in Tariff scheme, which pays around 5 p/kWh.
Additionally, group‑buying schemes like Solar Together may be open in participating council areas within the North West, giving you access to reduced pricing through collective purchasing programs
| Incentive | What it Offers | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 Grant | Partial or full funding for solar & insulation | For low‑income/EPC D–G households until March 2026 |
| Home Upgrade Grant / Warm Homes | Grants up to many thousands for eligible homes | Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire East, etc. |
| 0 % VAT | Saves ~5 % on installation costs | Applies across UK until March 2027 |
| Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | Revenue from surplus solar energy exported | For all homeowners with smart MCS‑certified systems |
| Solar Together | Discounted group pricing via council schemes | If active in your council region |
