Warm Homes Loan Scheme
Government-Backed Finance for Solar Panels, Battery Storage and EV Chargers
Cheaper Finance for Solar Panels and Batteries
The Warm Homes Loan Scheme (WHLS) is a UK government initiative run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). It helps homeowners and private landlords pay for solar panels, battery storage and other energy upgrades through low-interest loans from banks, building societies and credit unions.
The scheme is not a grant paid to you. The government is giving £300 million of grant funding to participating lenders, who use it to cut the interest rate on qualifying loans. You borrow the cost of the work and repay it over the loan term at a lower rate than a standard personal loan.
Generation Green is an MCS certified solar and battery installer with offices in Chester and Shrewsbury. We can survey your property now and prepare a scheme-compliant quote, so you are ready to apply as soon as lenders open their WHLS products.
How the Warm Homes Loan Scheme Works
Expected Interest Rates and Savings
Exact rates will vary by lender, loan product and your credit rating. Specific APRs and repayment tables will be published by participating banks and building societies as products launch from September 2026 onwards.
Eligible Upgrades and Maximum Loan Amounts
You can borrow up to the following capped amounts under the subsidised scheme:
| Upgrade | Maximum Borrowing | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels (PV) | £15,000 | Must be installed by an MCS certified installer. |
| Battery Storage | £15,000 | Can be installed on its own or alongside solar panels. |
| EV Home Charger | Included with solar or battery | Only eligible when added to a solar PV or battery storage installation, within that upgrade’s limit. |
A note on heat pumps: heat pumps are also eligible under the scheme, with borrowing limits of up to £20,000 for air-to-water heat pumps and £35,000 for ground source heat pumps. We specialise in solar panels and battery storage, but we are happy to recommend a trusted local supplier if you want to add a heat pump to your setup.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Get a quote > Apply for your loan > Installation > Loan paid
1. Get an accredited quote: an MCS certified installer such as Generation Green surveys your home and provides an official quote showing the equipment, installation breakdown and technical specification.
2. Apply to a participating lender: you submit your quote to a bank, building society or credit union offering WHLS loans. The lender will check that your quote meets the scheme criteria.
3. Complete the work: once your loan is approved, we install your system and register it on the MCS database.
4. MCS certificate and payout: you receive an official MCS completion certificate. The lender then releases the loan funds, either directly to you or to your installer.
Why Choose Generation Green
When you are upgrading your home energy system, using a fully certified installer is essential for scheme approval and for peace of mind. Generation Green is accredited across the main industry standards:
Warm Homes Loan Scheme FAQs
Is the Warm Homes Loan Scheme a grant?
No. It is a loan that you repay. The government grant goes to the participating lender and is used to lower the interest rate on your loan, which makes the monthly repayments cheaper.
Who can apply for a Warm Homes Loan?
Owner-occupiers and private landlords borrowing in a personal capacity can apply, for homes anywhere in the UK. Companies, SPVs and other corporate structures are not eligible in Phase 1.
Is there an income limit?
No. The scheme has no income threshold, but each lender will carry out its usual credit and affordability checks.
How much can I borrow for solar panels and batteries?
Up to £15,000 for solar panels and up to £15,000 for battery storage under the subsidised scheme. An EV home charger can be included when it is added to a solar or battery installation.
Do I need to use an MCS certified installer?
Yes. Solar panels and batteries must be installed by an MCS certified installer and registered on the MCS database for the loan to qualify. Generation Green is MCS certified.
When can I apply?
Consumer loan products will be available starting any day now, with participating banks and building societies launching products from September 2026 onwards. You can register your interest with us now so your survey and compliant quote are ready when you apply.
Does the scheme cover heat pumps?
Yes. Heat pumps are eligible, with limits of up to £20,000 for air-to-water and £35,000 for ground source heat pumps. We do not install heat pumps, but we can recommend a trusted local supplier.
Register Your Interest with Generation Green
Get ahead of the queue. We will carry out a preliminary site assessment and prepare your compliant quotation, so you are ready to apply as soon as scheme funding opens.
Call our Chester office on 01244 848688 or our Shrewsbury office on 01743 612074, email info@gen-green.co.uk or send us your details below.
