United Kingdom: ECO4, 0% VAT, and the Smart Export Guarantee
The UK doesn't have a universal solar grant for all homeowners, but there are several valuable schemes available:
ECO4 Scheme (Free solar for qualifying households)
The ECO4 scheme funds free solar panels for low-income and fuel-poor households. To qualify, you generally need to be receiving certain benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, etc.) and live in a property with an EPC rating of D or lower. The scheme is funded through energy company obligations — contact your energy supplier or an ECO4-registered installer to check your eligibility.
0% VAT on Solar Installations
Since April 2022, all residential solar panel installations are permanently zero-rated for VAT. This means you pay 0% instead of the standard 20% — saving roughly £1,200–£2,000 on a typical installation. No application needed; your installer simply charges 0% VAT. Battery storage is also included in the zero rating.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The SEG isn't a grant, but it's an important ongoing financial benefit. Licensed energy suppliers are required to pay you for excess solar electricity you export to the grid. Rates vary from 3–15p/kWh depending on the tariff and supplier. A typical household might earn £100–£300 per year. Unlike the old Feed-in Tariff (closed in 2019), SEG rates are market-linked and vary by provider — it's worth comparing offers.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) and Warm Homes Plan
HUG2 provides grants of up to £10,000 for off-gas-grid properties with low household income, with solar as one of the eligible measures. The Labour government's Warm Homes Plan is also rolling out broader support for home energy upgrades including solar — check gov.uk for the latest details.
United States: Federal ITC Gone — State Incentives Remain
⚠️ Major update: The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (Section 25D) for residential solar expired on 31 December 2025. It was eliminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed 4 July 2025) with no phase-out period. Homeowners installing solar in 2026 receive no federal tax credit.
This changes the calculus significantly for US solar buyers. Here's what remains:
State-Level Incentives (Still Active)
- New York: 25% state income tax credit (up to $5,000) + NY-Sun rebate for low-income households ($0.80/W, up to $20,000)
- Massachusetts: SMART 3.0 program paying $0.03/kWh generated (residential); $0.06/kWh (low-income) for 10 years
- New Jersey: SREC-II at $85/MWh + property tax exemption + net metering
- Net metering: Still available in most states at or near retail rates (California NEM 3.0 is the exception at ~$0.08/kWh)
- Various state rebates: Check dsireusa.org for your specific state
USDA REAP (Rural/Agricultural)
Agricultural producers and rural small businesses can still access USDA REAP grants covering up to 50% of solar project costs. Not affected by the ITC expiry.
Third-Party-Owned Systems (Leases/PPAs)
Companies offering solar leases or power purchase agreements may still access the commercial 48E tax credit through 2027. This is leading some installers to pivot towards lease/PPA models — the credit goes to the company, not you, but may be reflected in lower monthly lease rates.
Australia: STCs and State Rebates
Australia's solar incentive system is led by the federal SRES scheme, with state-level additions:
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) — STCs
The SRES provides Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for every solar installation. Certificates are created based on your system's expected generation over remaining deeming years (reducing by one year annually until the scheme ends in 2030). Your installer typically trades these as an upfront discount — typically AU$2,000–AU$4,000 for a standard 6.6 kW system in 2026, depending on location. No action required from you; the discount is embedded in installer quotes.
Victoria Solar Homes Program
Victorian residents can access a rebate of up to AU$1,400 (half the eligible system cost) for households with income below AU$210,000 and property value below AU$3m. Interest-free loans of up to AU$8,800 are also available. Apply at solar.vic.gov.au before signing an installer contract.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme
NSW residents can access additional Energy Savings Certificates for solar installations — typically an extra AU$200–AU$600 discount stacked on top of STCs.
Ireland: €1,800 SEAI Grant + 25c/kWh Export
Ireland has one of the most accessible grant systems in Europe, administered by SEAI:
SEAI Solar PV Grant — €1,800 (2026)
SEAI confirmed the solar PV grant at €1,800 maximum for 2026 (confirmed November 2025). Note this is lower than previous years — earlier rates were €900/kWp with a higher cap. You must apply before signing an installer contract, use an SEAI-registered contractor, and have a home built before 31 December 2020. This rule is strictly enforced.
SEAI Battery Grant — Discontinued
The €600 battery storage grant has been discontinued. However, batteries are now VAT-exempt in Ireland (reducing VAT from 23% to the lower rate), partially offsetting this change.
Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) — up to 25c/kWh
Ireland's MSS export rates have increased significantly. Best rates as of April 2026: Pinergy 25c/kWh, Electric Ireland 19.5c/kWh, Bord Gáis/Energia 18.5c/kWh. A typical 4 kWp system exporting 1,200 kWh/year earns €222–€300 annually depending on your supplier. This is among the best export income in Europe.
Canada: After Greener Homes
Canada's solar incentive landscape changed significantly in 2024:
Canada Greener Homes Grant — Closed
The Canada Greener Homes Grant (which offered up to CA$5,000 for solar) closed to new applications in February 2024. The accompanying interest-free loan also closed in July 2024. There is no direct federal solar grant replacement as of 2026.
Provincial Programs and Net Metering
Despite the end of the federal grant, provincial programs continue. Most provinces have net metering allowing solar owners to receive credits at retail rates for exported electricity. BC's CleanBC Better Homes and Ontario's energy programs offer some solar-related support. Check with your provincial utility for the latest programs.
New Zealand: Honest About the Lack of Grants
New Zealand is the outlier in this guide — there are currently no major government grants specifically for solar panels. The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme focuses on insulation and heating, not solar PV.
That said, solar can still be financially worthwhile in NZ thanks to high electricity prices (NZ$0.28–0.35/kWh) and reasonable retailer buy-back rates (NZ$0.08–0.18/kWh). A well-sized system typically generates NZ$1,000–1,800 in annual savings, with payback periods of 8–12 years.
Summary: Maximum Grant by Country
Here's a quick comparison of the maximum available incentive by country in 2026:
| Country | Top Incentive | Max Value |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 0% VAT + Warm Homes Grant | ~20% saving (VAT); up to £15,000 for low-income |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | SRES STCs + Cheaper Home Batteries | ~AU$1,800 on solar + ~30% off batteries |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | SEAI Solar Grant + MSS export | €1,800 grant + up to 25c/kWh export |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Ontario HRSP / BC Hydro rebate | Up to CA$10,000 (solar + battery) in ON & BC |
| 🇺🇸 United States | State incentives only (federal ITC expired) | Varies — NY up to $5,000 state credit; MA/NJ performance payments |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Retailer buy-back (~40c/kWh) | No upfront grant; bank green loans available |
Use our Solar Cost Calculator to estimate your installation cost, then factor in the relevant grant for your country to see your real net cost and payback period.