Updated 3 November 2026
Warm Homes Loan Scheme: Solar Panels & Batteries in Hertfordshire
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a UK-wide, lender-led loan for home energy upgrades, including solar panels and home batteries. Government funding brings the interest rate down, and some loans are interest-free. Sola UK is an MCS-certified solar and battery installer based in St Albans, covering Hertfordshire and North London, and can give you the installation quote your lender will ask about.
Sola UK does not offer finance, arrange loans or act as a credit broker. Choose a lender from the GOV.UK lender list; Sola provides the MCS installation quote.
Get your MCS installation quote
Tell us where you are and we will arrange a free survey. No obligation.
Thank you, your request has been sent.
What the Warm Homes Loan Scheme is
The scheme was set out in the government's Warm Homes Plan, and DESNZ published the consumer factsheet on 27 October 2026 with a first group of ten lenders. You borrow from the lender, not from the government. The government grant is paid to the lender to lower the interest rate, with the aim of rates up to 5 percentage points below an ordinary loan, and terms of up to 30 years in some cases. Some products are interest-free and some are not, so the rate you get depends on the lender you choose.
The official overview is on GOV.UK. More lenders are due to join, with the next window expected in late 2026 for onboarding in early 2027.
How much you can borrow for solar and batteries
| Measure | Loan cap under the scheme rules |
|---|---|
| Solar PV | £15,000 |
| Battery storage | £15,000 |
| EV charger | Only as an add-on to solar or a battery |
| Insulation | Not eligible |
Source: Warm Homes Loan Scheme rules, version 3, September 2026, sections 4.13 to 4.19. Caps checked 3 November 2026.
Who can apply
- Owner-occupiers of a home in the UK.
- Private landlords borrowing personally.
- There is no income threshold, but the lender runs its own credit and affordability checks, so approval is never guaranteed.
- The work must be done by an MCS-certified installer.
How it works with Sola UK
- Ask Sola UK for a solar or battery survey and a written MCS installation quote, using the form above or by calling 0800 470 0922.
- Choose a lender from the GOV.UK lender list and apply to them directly. Compare rates and terms; they differ between lenders.
- Once the lender confirms your loan, we book the installation and register the system with MCS.
Home solar panels and batteries are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, so the quote you take to a lender is the VAT-free price. You cannot use a Warm Homes loan and other government funding to pay for the same improvement.
If you are on a low income
Some lower-income households can get upgrades through their council's Warm Homes: Local Grant instead of a loan. That route is run by councils and their appointed installers, not by Sola UK; you can check eligibility on GOV.UK.
Stay safe
The government and lenders never cold-call to sell Warm Homes Loans or charge a fee to apply. If anyone asks for a fee to "unlock" a loan, walk away and use the lender list on GOV.UK.
Wondering whether a car charger can go on the loan? See whether an EV charger is covered by the Warm Homes Loan Scheme. For the equipment itself, see our home battery storage service.
Warm Homes Loan Scheme: common questions
Does Sola UK offer the Warm Homes Loan?
No. Sola UK does not offer finance, arrange loans or act as a credit broker. The loans come from lenders on the GOV.UK list, and you apply to the lender yourself. Sola UK provides the MCS installation quote that the lender will ask about.
How much can I borrow for solar panels and a battery?
Under the scheme rules (version 3, September 2026) the caps are £15,000 for solar PV and £15,000 for a battery. An EV charger can be included only as an add-on to solar or a battery. Insulation is not eligible.
Is the Warm Homes Loan interest-free?
Some loans are interest-free, but not all. Government funding is used to cut the interest rate, with the aim of rates up to 5 percentage points lower than a regular loan. Rates and terms vary by lender, so compare the lenders on the GOV.UK list.
Who can apply for a Warm Homes Loan?
Owner-occupiers, and private landlords borrowing personally, for a home in the UK. There is no income threshold. The lender runs its own credit and affordability checks, so approval is not guaranteed.
Do I need an MCS-certified installer?
Yes. The scheme rules require an MCS-certified installer for solar panels and batteries.
Can I combine the loan with other schemes?
Home solar panels and batteries are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, and the loan can pay for the VAT-free price. You cannot use a Warm Homes loan and other government funding to pay for the same improvement.