On 27 October 2026 the government launched the Warm Homes Loan Scheme: no- and low-interest loans that let homeowners install solar panels, battery storage and other clean energy technology without paying anything upfront. Instead, you spread the cost over several years, often while the system is already cutting your bills.
For many Norfolk homeowners, the upfront price has been the one thing standing between them and solar. This scheme is designed to remove that barrier. Here is what it means for you.
The key facts
- Lower interest: lenders have agreed to cut rates by up to 5 percentage points compared with standard bank or high street loans, and some loans are interest free.
- Longer to repay: some lenders offer up to 30 years.
- Real savings: the government gives the example of a £10,000 loan at 8% over seven years, currently around £155 a month. Through the scheme, that borrower could save up to £285 a year on repayments.
-
Lower bills: A solar PV and battery storage system installed together could save a household up to 80% of there usage and further significant savings on time based night tariffs with the correct design and setting up of the system
How much can you borrow?
|
Technology |
Maximum loan |
|---|---|
|
Solar panels |
£15,000 |
|
Battery storage |
£15,000 |
|
Air-to-water heat pump |
£20,000 |
|
Air-to-air heat pump |
£10,000 (once MCS certification is available) |
|
Ground source heat pump |
£35,000 |
|
Biomass boiler |
£20,000 |
|
Micro-renewable system |
£20,000 |
|
Heat network connection |
£7,500 |
Source: Warm Homes Loan Scheme factsheet, GOV.UK
Who can apply, and how it works
The loans are open to households across the whole UK. You apply through a participating lender or installer, and the lender runs its normal affordability, credit and eligibility checks.
Ten lenders are offering loans at launch, with more expected to join:
- HomeServe (partnering with E.ON)
- Hometree Finance
- Propensio
- Secure Trust Bank
- Selina Finance
- South Manchester Credit Union
- Sunsave
- Tandem Bank
- The Money Co-op
- thisbank
Every installation (apart from heat network connections) must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer. That protects you: the work has to meet recognised technical and consumer-protection standards.
The government’s advice for getting the best deal:
- Work out which upgrades suit your home.
- Compare installation quotes and loan offers. Look at the total amount repayable, the term and any monthly fees, not just the rate.
- Apply through a participating lender or installer.
- Keep your quote, finance agreement, invoice, proof of purchase and MCS certificate.
- Check whether a smart or time-of-use tariff could boost your savings.
What it means for solar and battery storage
Up to £15,000 each for solar panels and battery storage covers a typical home system, so most households could install with nothing upfront.
Pairing the two is where the biggest gains are. Panels generate through the day; a battery stores that energy for the evening, and can charge from the grid overnight when time-of-use tariffs are cheapest.
Demand is already high, with almost 150,000 solar installations in the first half of 2026. Cheaper finance is likely to push that higher, so it pays to get a survey booked early.
One note: EV chargers can be added as part of the installation of the solar PV or battery storage but not on it’s own.
How PES Renewables can help
PES Renewables is MCS approved for solar PV and battery storage, so our installations meet the standard the scheme requires. We are also RECC members, backed by IWA deposit and workmanship protection, and our engineers are fully BPEC trained so you can have full piece of mind that your installation is carried out to the highest standards.
We can survey your home, design a solar and battery system that fits it, and give you a clear quote to take to a participating lender. And with our price match guarantee, you can be confident the system you are financing is competitively priced.
Ready to find out what you could save? Call us on 01493 802222, emailinfo@pesrenewables.com