0% VAT on Solar Panels — Save 20%
For solar panel and battery storage installations
Residential solar panel and battery storage installations qualify for 0% VAT — saving you 20% on the total installation cost. On a typical £7,000 solar and battery system, that is a saving of approximately £1,167 compared to the standard 20% VAT rate.
What Qualifies
- Solar PV panel systems (all sizes)
- Battery storage — installed with new solar or added to an existing system
- All associated wiring, inverters, and mounting equipment
- Labour for installation
- Available to UK homeowners and landlords
How It Works
The 0% VAT is automatically applied to your quote — there is no application process. As a VAT-registered MCS certified installer, we charge you zero VAT on your solar installation. The rate is guaranteed until at least March 2027. Read our solar panel cost guide for a full breakdown of what to expect.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme — £7,500 Grant
For air source heat pump installations
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides a £7,500 grant towards the cost of replacing a gas, oil, or LPG boiler with a heat pump. The grant is applied directly by your installer — you do not fill in a form or wait for approval before the work starts.
How It Works
- Available for air source heat pumps (ASHP)
- Your MCS certified installer submits the voucher application to Ofgem on your behalf
- £7,500 is deducted directly from your installation invoice
- No income threshold — available to all homeowners
- Scheme runs until March 2028
Eligibility
Your property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. Properties with solid walls or off-gas-grid are typically straightforward to qualify. We carry out a free eligibility assessment as part of your heat pump survey.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Earn money from excess solar electricity
The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for every unit of excess electricity your solar panels export to the grid. Current best rates (April 2026): Good Energy at 25p fixed, Octopus Intelligent Flux averaging ~25p (32p peak for battery owners), EDF Empower Export at 18p, and British Gas at 15.1p. All CCS installations are MCS certified, making you automatically eligible from day one.
We register your system with your chosen energy supplier as part of the installation process. Adding a battery storage system lets you store solar electricity for evening use and export strategically when SEG rates are at their highest — maximising your income.
Indicative SEG Income
- A 4kW system in Cornwall exports approximately 1,600–2,000 kWh/year (with no battery)
- At 15p average: £240–£300/year | At 25p: £400–£500/year
- Adding a battery reduces exports but increases self-consumption savings, which are worth more per kWh
ECO4 Scheme
For qualifying low-income households
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme provides fully funded energy efficiency measures — including insulation, heating system upgrades, and in some cases heat pumps — for low-income and vulnerable households. The scheme runs until December 2026.
Eligibility
- Household income qualifies via certain benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc.) or income below £31,000
- Property EPC rating of E, F or G (in most cases)
- Cornwall Council stopped accepting new ECO4 installers in September 2025 — apply through a registered ECO4 installer or contact Cornwall Council directly
For Cornwall-specific information contact warmerhomes@cornwall.gov.uk or call 0300 1234 121.
Warm Homes: Local Grant — Up to £30,000
For owner-occupiers with EPC D–G and income below £36,000
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a £500 million national scheme (April 2025–March 2028) administered locally by councils. Eligible households can receive up to £30,000 — split as £15,000 for fabric improvements (insulation, windows, doors) and £15,000 for low-carbon heating (heat pump, solar panels).
Eligibility
- Owner-occupier (not rental properties)
- EPC rating of D, E, F or G
- Household income below £36,000 per year
- Properties in England only
What It Can Fund
- Air source heat pumps
- Solar panel and battery storage systems
- Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation
- Double or triple glazing
Apply through warmerhomes@cornwall.gov.uk. Eligibility is assessed by Cornwall Council — we can help you gather the documentation needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grants
01 Does 0% VAT apply to battery storage as well as solar panels?
02 How do I register for the Smart Export Guarantee?
03 Which energy suppliers offer the best SEG rates?
04 Do I need an MCS certificate to receive SEG payments?
05 Is the ECO4 scheme still running?
06 What is the Warm Homes Local Grant?
07 How do I claim the BUS heat pump grant?
Related Guides
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Solar Panel Grants in Cornwall 2026: Every Scheme Explained
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