Leicestershire is one of the best-supported counties in England for residential solar adoption. Between the Solar Together Leicestershire group-buying scheme, the national ECO4 funding programme, Leicester City Council's Warm Homes grant, and the 0% VAT regime on solar installations, many homeowners in the county can reduce the cost of going solar by thousands of pounds — and in some cases, qualify for entirely free installations.
This guide covers every scheme available to Leicestershire homeowners in 2025, with plain-English explanations of eligibility, how to apply, and how Energy Concerns can help you navigate the process.
1. Solar Together Leicestershire
Solar Together Leicestershire is a group-buying scheme operated by Blaby District Council as the lead authority, with all Leicestershire district and borough councils participating. It is administered by iChoosr, a specialist group-buying platform that has run similar schemes across the UK.
The scheme works through a reverse auction process: Leicestershire residents register interest in solar panel installation, and iChoosr runs a competitive tender among pre-vetted, MCS-accredited installers. The winning installer offers the lowest price for the group, and registered residents receive a personalised offer based on their property assessment. This collective purchasing power has delivered discounts of up to 27% compared to typical retail pricing.
Key facts about Solar Together Leicestershire
- → Led by Blaby District Council, with all Leicestershire councils participating
- → Has facilitated 6,948 solar panel installations across Leicestershire
- → Group-purchase discounts of up to 27% on typical 14-panel systems
- → Only MCS-accredited installers are eligible to participate in the tender
- → Covers LE1–LE19, LE67, LE65, LE13, LE14, LE15, LE16, LE17 postcode areas
The scheme opens for registration periodically. Energy Concerns, as an MCS-certified installer, has worked with Solar Together participants and can advise whether the current scheme is open and whether your property qualifies for the group-purchase discount.
2. ECO4 — Free Solar Panels for Eligible Households
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme is a government-mandated programme requiring large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for lower-income and vulnerable households. Solar panels are included as an eligible measure under ECO4.
You may qualify if you receive:
- • Universal Credit
- • Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- • Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- • Child Tax Credit
- • Working Tax Credit
- • Pension Credit (Guarantee)
- • Income Support
Property criteria:
- • Owner-occupied or private rental
- • EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- • Household income under £31,000 (flex route)
- • Property must be in England, Scotland, or Wales
- • First-time improvement (not already ECO-funded)
Energy Concerns can check your eligibility for ECO4 during your free survey. If you qualify, we will guide you through the application process with your energy supplier. ECO4 funding can cover solar panels, battery storage, insulation, and in some cases EV chargers as part of a whole-house improvement package.
In Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council delivered over £1 million in ECO funding in 2022 alone. Corby in Northamptonshire (within our extended service area) has seen particularly high ECO4 uptake given its income deprivation data.
3. Leicester City Warm Homes: Local Grant
Leicester City Council administers the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, which provides free solar panel installations for eligible Leicester city households. This is distinct from the Solar Together scheme and applies specifically to LE1–LE5 postcode areas within Leicester city boundaries.
Warm Homes Local Grant eligibility (Leicester City)
- → Household income of £36,000 or below (higher threshold than ECO4)
- → EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- → Owner-occupied property (homeowners only)
- → Property within Leicester City Council boundaries
Energy Concerns can advise Leicester city homeowners on eligibility and, if you qualify, will support your application. This is one of the most generous local authority solar grants in the Midlands.
4. The Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is available to every homeowner who installs a solar system from an MCS-certified installer. It is not a grant — it is a legal requirement for energy suppliers to pay you for surplus electricity you export to the national grid.
SEG tariffs vary by supplier but typically pay 4–15p per kWh exported. A typical 4kW Leicestershire home system generates around 3,400–3,600 kWh annually. If your household self-consumes 60% (a typical figure), you would export approximately 1,400 kWh and receive £56–£210 per year in SEG payments, depending on your tariff.
Energy Concerns provides all the documentation required to register for the Smart Export Guarantee as part of your installation handover. You then choose your energy supplier's SEG tariff — we provide guidance on which suppliers are currently offering the most competitive rates.
5. 0% VAT on Solar Panels
Since April 2022, all residential solar panel and battery storage installations in England have been zero-rated for VAT. This replaced the previous 5% reduced rate and eliminated VAT entirely from solar installations. The 0% rate is confirmed until at least March 2027.
On a typical £7,000 solar installation, the 0% VAT rate saves you £350 compared to a standard 5% VAT charge, or £1,400 compared to the 20% standard rate. Energy Concerns' quotes are always inclusive of this 0% VAT rate — there is nothing to claim back or apply for.
6. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (for Solar + Heat Pump)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants of up to £7,500 toward the cost of an air source heat pump installation — when combined with solar panels, this creates an integrated renewable energy system that can dramatically reduce or eliminate gas or oil heating costs.
The scheme is administered by Ofgem and applications are made through your heat pump installer. Energy Concerns advises customers on the solar-plus-heat-pump combination and can refer to trusted heat pump partners for BUS-eligible installations. Rural Leicestershire properties — particularly around Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, and Oakham — are the primary candidates, as many lack mains gas connections.
Summary: What You Can Claim in Leicestershire
| Scheme | Benefit | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Together Leicestershire | Up to 27% discount | All Leicestershire homeowners (when scheme open) |
| ECO4 | Free solar panels | Benefits recipients / income under £31k with EPC D–G |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Free solar panels | Leicester city homeowners under £36k with EPC D–G |
| Smart Export Guarantee | 4–15p/kWh for exports | All MCS-certified installations |
| 0% VAT | No VAT on installation | All homeowners until March 2027 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Up to £7,500 grant | Installing air source heat pump |
Get Free Advice from Energy Concerns
Energy Concerns is a Leicester-based, MCS-certified solar installer with 105 five-star Google reviews. We advise every customer on all available grants and funding routes during a free, no-obligation survey of your property. We never recommend a system that doesn't make financial sense for your situation.
To book your free survey or ask a question about any of the schemes above, contact us:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a grant for solar panels in Leicestershire?
Yes. Leicestershire homeowners can access Solar Together Leicestershire (group-purchase discounts of up to 27%), the ECO4 scheme (free solar for eligible households), the Warm Homes: Local Grant in Leicester city (free solar for households earning under £36,000 with EPC D–G), and the Smart Export Guarantee. VAT is 0% on all solar installations until at least March 2027.
What is Solar Together Leicestershire?
Solar Together Leicestershire is a group-buying scheme led by Blaby District Council in partnership with iChoosr. It runs competitive tenders among MCS-accredited installers, delivering discounts of up to 27% to registered Leicestershire homeowners through collective purchasing power. The scheme has facilitated 6,948 solar panel installations across the county.
Who qualifies for free solar panels in Leicestershire?
Free solar panels under ECO4 are available to homeowners receiving certain benefits or with a household income under £31,000 and an EPC rating of D or below. In Leicester city specifically, the Warm Homes: Local Grant extends this to households earning under £36,000.
Do I need to pay VAT on solar panels in Leicestershire?
No. VAT on residential solar panel and battery storage installations has been 0% since April 2022, and this rate is confirmed until at least March 2027. Energy Concerns' quotes always reflect this 0% rate — there is nothing to claim back.
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