In short
If you own your home, you can borrow up to £15,000 for solar panels (and up to £15,000 for a battery) through a lender in the Warm Homes Loan Scheme. There is no income test in the scheme rules, but the lender runs its own credit and affordability checks and sets the rate. An MCS-certified installer must usually do the work.
Last checked 3 November 2026 against GOV.UK and the scheme rules (v3, September 2026).
What the Warm Homes Loan Scheme is
The scheme launched to consumers in late October 2026. It is run through lenders such as banks and credit unions: the government funds part of the cost of lending so the loans can be cheaper than an ordinary personal loan. It is a loan, not a grant, so you pay it back. You apply to a lender that offers Warm Homes loans, and the loan product will say if it is funded through the scheme.
Who can apply
- You must own the property, with or without a mortgage. Owner-occupiers and private landlords borrowing personally can apply.
- The home must be residential and in the UK.
- There is no income threshold in the scheme rules, but you must pass the lender's credit and affordability checks, and lenders may add rules of their own.
- You cannot do the work yourself. An MCS-certified installer must usually carry it out.
What the loan covers, and the caps
| Improvement | Loan cap | Installer |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV panels | £15,000 | Yes, CCS is MCS-certified for solar PV |
| Battery storage | £15,000 | Ask your lender which certification the battery needs |
| Air-to-water heat pump | £20,000 | Needs an installer MCS-certified for heat pumps |
| Ground source heat pump | £35,000 | Needs an installer MCS-certified for heat pumps |
| EV charger | Add-on only | Only alongside solar panels or a battery |
| Insulation | Not eligible | Not covered by the loan scheme |
Caps from the Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules, sections 4.13 to 4.19. Air-to-air heat pumps are listed but are not yet eligible: see is air conditioning covered by the Warm Homes Loan?
On the MCS register, CCS is certified for solar PV (certificate NAP-76721, through NAPIT). That is what we quote for under this scheme. If you want a battery or a heat pump in the same loan, ask your lender what certification it needs for that part.
How to apply, step by step
- Get an MCS installer's quote. We survey the roof, design the system and give you a written quote with the system size and price.
- Choose a lender from the GOV.UK list of Warm Homes Loan lenders. Compare the rate, term and fees yourself.
- Apply to the lender. It runs its credit and affordability checks and tells you what it will lend.
- Book the installation once the loan is agreed. We install, commission and register the system and give you the MCS certificate.
The full rules are on GOV.UK: Warm Homes Loan Scheme. More lenders are due to join in a second window, with onboarding planned for early 2027.
Sizing the loan to the roof, not the cap
The £15,000 cap is a ceiling, not a target. Most homes need far less: our solar panel costs in Cornwall guide sets out typical prices by system size, and the costs by system size guide shows what changes between 3 kW and 10 kW. Borrow for the system your roof and usage justify; a smaller loan costs less to repay.
Other help you can combine
- 0% VAT on residential solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027, whether you pay cash or borrow.
- Low income? You may qualify for a council grant instead of a loan. Check the Warm Homes: Local Grant on GOV.UK. Our Cornwall grants guide covers the other schemes.
Stay safe
The government and lenders never cold-call to sell Warm Homes Loans or charge a fee to apply. If someone calls, texts or knocks offering one, do not give details. Go to the GOV.UK lender list yourself.