Now that we’ve covered the overview of grants and schemes available for solar panel installation in Flintshire, let’s delve deeper into each option to understand how they can specifically benefit you. By exploring the details of these programs, you can gain a clearer picture of which ones align best with your needs and circumstances, ultimately paving the way towards a more sustainable and cost-effective energy solution for your home or business.
ECO4 Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme is a government initiative that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for low-income households and those living in fuel poverty. The scheme runs from April 2022 to March 2026 and covers England, Scotland, and Wales.
One of the measures that can be funded by ECO4 is solar panels, which can help households save money on their electricity bills and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. However, not everyone is eligible for this scheme. You need to meet certain criteria based on your income, benefits, property type, and energy efficiency rating. You also need to apply through a local authority or an approved installer who can assess your eligibility and provide you with a quote.
If you qualify for ECO4, you could receive free solar panels or a significant discount on the installation cost. However, the availability of funding may vary depending on the demand and the budget allocated by each local authority.
Solar Together Scheme
Solar Together is a group-buying scheme that allows residents in participating areas to get discounted solar panels from vetted installers. The scheme works by organising collective auctions where installers bid for contracts to supply and install solar panels for a large number of households. The lowest bid wins the auction and offers the best price to the customers.
Solar Together is open to homeowners and renters who have permission from their landlords. You don’t need to meet any income or energy efficiency criteria to join the scheme. However, you do need to live in an area where Solar Together is active. The scheme is run by local councils in partnership with iChoosr, a company that specialises in group-buying schemes.
To join Solar Together, you need to register your interest online and provide some details about your property and your energy usage. You will then receive a personalised offer from the winning installer after the auction. You can decide whether to accept the offer or not within six weeks. If you accept, the installer will contact you to arrange a survey and installation.
Solar Together can help you save up to 25% on the cost of solar panels compared to the market average. However, the savings may vary depending on the size and type of system you choose, the location of your property, and the number of participants in each auction.
Home Upgrade Grant
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is a new scheme that will launch in April 2023 and run until March 2025. The scheme aims to help low-income households in England improve their home energy efficiency by providing grants of up to £10,000 for various measures, including solar panels.
The HUG scheme is funded by the government and administered by local authorities. The eligibility criteria and application process may differ depending on where you live. However, generally speaking, you need to have an annual household income of less than £30,000 and live in a property that has an energy efficiency rating of E, F, or G.
If you qualify for HUG, you could get up to 100% of the cost of installing solar panels covered by the grant. However, the availability of funding may be limited by the budget allocated by each local authority and the demand from eligible households.
VAT Discount
One of the easiest ways to save money on solar panels is to take advantage of the VAT discount that applies to all households in the UK. The VAT rate for solar panel installations is 0%, which means you don’t have to pay any tax on top of the price quoted by the installer.
The VAT discount is valid until 31st March 2027 and has no specific eligibility requirements or application process. You just need to make sure that your installer is registered for VAT and charges you accordingly.
The VAT discount can help you save hundreds of pounds on the cost of solar panels depending on the size and type of system you choose. For example, if you install a 4kW system that costs £7,000, you could save £1,400 in VAT.
Other Options
If none of the above grants and schemes apply to you or are not enough to cover the cost of solar panels, you may want to consider other options for funding your installation. These include:
– Smart Export Guarantee: A scheme that pays you for the excess electricity you generate and export to the grid. The payment rate varies depending on the supplier you choose and the time of day you export. You can compare different offers and switch suppliers to get the best deal.
– Green Home Rewards: A cashback scheme offered by some banks and building societies that rewards you for making energy-efficient improvements to your home, such as installing solar panels. The amount of cashback varies depending on the institution and the type of mortgage you have.
– Solar Subscription: A service that allows you to get solar panels installed on your roof for a monthly fee without any upfront cost. You can use the electricity generated by the panels and save money on your bills. The subscription fee covers the installation, maintenance, and insurance of the system. You can cancel at any time or buy out the system after a certain period.
