Dorset Warm Homes Grants – Up to 100% Funded Solar Panels

If you live in Dorset and your home has a low energy rating, you may qualify for free solar panels through the Dorset Warm Homes scheme. This local initiative targets homes that are expensive to heat or off the gas grid.

• Funding can cover up to 100% of costs
• Includes solar panels, batteries, and insulation
• Designed for low-income households or homes with high energy bills

Check your eligibility at dorsetCouncil.gov.uk or ask your installer to help you apply.

0% VAT on Domestic Solar Installations

Since 2022, the UK government has offered a 0% VAT rate on residential solar systems. That means:

• No tax on panels, batteries, or installation
• Applies to all homeowners, no income threshold
• Runs until at least 2027, but don’t wait too long—installers are busy

This effectively saves you 5% compared to pre-2022 rates—and makes solar one of the few home upgrades with a guaranteed tax break.

100% Capital Allowances for Businesses (Super Deduction Ends March 2026)

If you run a business—whether it’s a light industrial unit, office, or even a farm—you can claim back 100% of the cost of a solar system as a capital allowance.

• Known as Full Expensing or Super Deduction
• You deduct the full cost in year one, reducing tax liability
• Applies to limited companies investing in new plant and machinery (including solar)

Deadline: March 31, 2026. If you’re planning commercial solar, now’s the time to act.

ECO4 and GBIS – For Landlords and Tenants

The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) and GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme) help fund energy upgrades like solar, especially for:

• Low-income households
• Private landlords with eligible tenants
• Properties with EPC rating D or below

These national schemes often overlap with local ones. Solar panels may be bundled with insulation or heat pumps depending on your situation.

Tip: Speak to an installer who can help you bundle schemes for maximum funding.

PPA Options – Free Solar with Pay-as-You-Go Energy

No budget? No problem.

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) lets you get solar panels installed for free on your roof. You don’t own the system—but you buy the energy it produces at a lower rate than your usual supplier.

• Great for landlords or large rooftops
• No upfront cost
• Lower energy bills from day one

It’s like renting your roof to a solar company in exchange for cheaper electricity.

Final Thought: Most People Don’t Know They’re Eligible

2025 is a golden window for solar.
But many homeowners and landlords in Dorset are missing out—simply because they haven’t checked.

Between local grants, tax breaks, and new funding models, solar has never been more accessible. The key is knowing your options—and acting before schemes close or fill up.

Need help figuring it out?

We offer free eligibility checks and grant support across Dorset. Contact us today and see what you could save.