Green Grants Explained: How to Fund Solar, Heat Pumps and Batteries in 2025
If you’re like most of us, the energy crisis of the last few years still feels like a bad dream that never quite ended. Prices went through the roof, everyone suddenly became an “expert” on kilowatt-hours, and the rest of us were left wondering why our bills cost more than our weekly shop.
Now, finally, there’s some good news. The UK government’s clean energy push means homeowners can access more renewable energy funding than ever before…if you know where to look. The problem? Half the country doesn’t understand how any of these “green grants” actually work.
That’s where this guide comes in.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll break down every major funding scheme for 2025, from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to ECO4, LA Flex, and the Warm Homes Local Grant, and show you how they can help you pay for solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage systems.
Whether you’re in Norwich, King’s Lynn, or a windswept Norfolk village where broadband’s still a rumour, this guide will show you what’s out there, how to apply, and how Wise Green Energy can make it all less painful.
Table of Contents
What exactly are green energy grants?
Green energy grants are financial incentives from the UK government (and sometimes local councils) designed to help households reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
In plain English: they’re pots of money to help you make your home greener, either through upfront discounts, cash-back rebates, or partial funding for renewable systems.
Most of these grants target three main areas:
Solar PV (solar panels) for clean electricity
Heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling
Battery storage for smarter energy management
But not all schemes are equal. Some are income-based, some are property-based, and a few are first-come, first-served. The key is knowing which you qualify for. So let’s get into the specifics.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the UK government’s headline grant for low-carbon heating. It offers:
£7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump
£7,500 off a ground source heat pump
It’s open to homeowners and landlords in England and Wales and has been extended with fresh funding for 2025.
At Wise Green Energy, we’ve seen Norfolk homeowners use this scheme to replace oil and gas boilers with efficient heat pumps that cut heating bills by up to 50 percent. It’s one of the simplest grants to claim, but only if your installer is MCS-certified (we are).
The application process is straightforward:
Choose an MCS-accredited installer.
Get a quote and confirm your eligibility.
Your installer applies for the voucher on your behalf.
The grant amount is deducted from your invoice.
In other words, the government pays part of the bill before you do. It’s not often that happens, so grab this one while it lasts!
4 ECO4 and LA Flex: Help for Lower-Income Homes
Next up are the ECO4 and LA Flex schemes. These are designed to help low-income or fuel-poor households access home upgrades that reduce bills and emissions.
They cover insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, and occasionally battery storage. The funding doesn’t come directly from the government but from energy suppliers as part of their carbon-reduction obligations.
If you live in Norfolk, you might qualify through your local authority’s LA Flex programme. Norwich City Council and Breckland District Council both run flexible-eligibility schemes for households not on benefits but still struggling with high bills or older properties.
Typical savings can be substantial:
Up to 100 percent funding for low-income homes
Average energy savings of £400–£700 per year
Warm, comfortable homes that aren’t draughty ice boxes
Wise Green Energy can help assess eligibility and connect you with trusted ECO4 partners if you meet the criteria. If you’re on a pension, income support, or living in a home with poor insulation, it’s worth checking now as these funds often run out mid-year.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and MCS certification
Here’s one people often overlook.
Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still earn money with your system through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
It’s simple: when your solar panels produce more power than you use, the extra electricity goes back to the grid and your supplier pays you for it.
Rates vary, but many households earn between 5p and 15p per kWh exported, depending on the tariff.
However, there’s a catch: you must use an MCS-certified installer (like Wise Green Energy) and have a smart meter. Without those, you can’t register for payments.
Pairing your SEG tariff with a battery storage system can make this even smarter. You can store cheap, off-peak energy overnight, then export it when rates are higher, or use it yourself when the kettle and oven are going full blast.
Regional focus: Norfolk's green push
Norfolk is quietly becoming one of the greenest corners of Britain, and Norwich is leading the charge. The city’s councils have turned national schemes into practical local action, giving homeowners fresh ways to make their houses warmer, cheaper to run, and much cleaner.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant
Norwich City Council recently secured £4.7 million through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, set to upgrade about 330 private homes across the city over the next three years.
Eligible households could receive:
Up to £15,000 for insulation, ventilation, and other energy-efficiency improvements.
Up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating such as air-source heat pumps.
To qualify, a property must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G and meet one of three income pathways:
Pathway 1: live in a postcode ranked 1–2 on the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Pathway 2: receive a means-tested benefit such as Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit.
Pathway 3: have a combined household income below £36,000 per year (before tax).
Applications are handled by Norwich’s trusted contractor E.ON Energy, or residents can email climateaction@norwich.gov.uk for help.
Beyond the cash value, the grant is transforming old, chilly houses into genuinely comfortable homes, cutting carbon emissions and lowering bills by an estimated £300–£400 a year.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Norwich residents can also benefit from national schemes like ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Both provide free or heavily subsidised home-efficiency upgrades.
They target households on lower incomes or with inefficient properties, funding insulation, heating upgrades, and occasionally solar PV. Pairing ECO funding with the Warm Homes Grant can make an older home feel brand-new without touching your savings.
Solar Together Norfolk
For anyone tempted by solar panels but put off by the admin, the Solar Together programme simplifies everything. It’s a group-buying initiative that helps homeowners secure vetted installers at competitive prices.
Participants register, receive a personal quote, and only go ahead if the offer makes sense. No cold calls, no pushy salespeople, just collective bargaining power.
Already got panels? You can also use Solar Together to add battery storage, making better use of every sunny day in Norfolk’s unpredictable weather.
The Big Community Switch
Not ready to install panels or pumps? You can still make a difference through the Big Community Switch. This council-backed scheme helps residents switch to renewable electricity tariffs and save money at the same time.
It works like a reverse auction: energy suppliers compete for your business, and you choose the green tariff that suits you best. For many, it’s the easiest first step into the world of renewables…zero installation, zero faff.
Local Help, Real Impact
Between the Warm Homes Grant, ECO, GBIS, Solar Together and the Big Community Switch, Norfolk households are spoiled for choice. The only tricky bit is figuring out which combination applies to your home.
That’s where Wise Green Energy comes in. We guide homeowners through the maze, checking eligibility, securing MCS-certified installations, and ensuring every grant or tariff is used to full advantage.
Start by checking your EPC rating on the government register. It’s free and tells you which schemes fit your property.
And when you’re ready to act, insist on a TrustMark-registered installer. It’s your guarantee the job’s done properly and your grant funding stays valid.
For more detailed guidance, Energy Saving Trust and Ofgem offer excellent advice on heating, insulation, and day-to-day energy savings.
Combining solar, batteries and heat pumps
Many homeowners don’t realise they can mix and match grants to build a complete renewable system. A typical Norfolk setup might look like this:
Boiler Upgrade Scheme for the heat pump.
Smart Export Guarantee to earn from excess solar.
ECO or Warm Homes funding for insulation.
Solar Together for discounted panels.
Each part funds a different technology, so long as you’re not double-claiming for the same thing. The result? A house that heats itself efficiently, stores excess power, and sells a bit back to the grid.
Common myths about green grants
“They’re only for people on benefits.” Not true. Many are open to middle-income households, particularly through LA Flex and the Warm Homes programme.
“It’s too much paperwork.” Another myth. Most schemes let the installer handle the forms; you just sign off on the quote.
“You have to pay it back.” Nope. These are grants, not loans. Once approved, the funding is deducted from your invoice.
“It won’t make much difference.” Actually, the average solar + heat-pump combo can save around £1,000–£2,000 a year, depending on usage and tariff.
Case study: from oil to opportunity in Norwich
Meet Sarah and Tom, a couple living just outside Eaton. Their old oil boiler was guzzling fuel and their energy bills were bordering on obscene. They’d heard about grants but didn’t know where to start until they contacted Wise Green Energy in early 2025.
After a quick home assessment, we discovered they were eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, plus Warm Homes: Local Grant insulation funding. With both combined, the couple installed a 7kW air source heat pump and new loft insulation.
They now pay roughly 45 percent less for heating and have increased their home’s EPC rating from an E to a C. Their grant funding covered nearly £13,000 of the total cost. Sarah now jokes that she feels “rich in heat,” and that’s probably the first time anyone’s ever said that about Norwich in February.
Wise Green Energy: your partner in the paperwork
Let’s be honest, trying to decipher the fine print on grant applications isn’t most people’s idea of fun. At Wise Green Energy, we take the legwork out of it.
We’re MCS-certified, TrustMark-accredited, and fully versed in every national and local funding stream worth knowing about. Whether you’re applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or navigating Norwich City Council’s Warm Homes funding, we’ll handle the process end to end.
Our installers work across Norwich, Norfolk and East Anglia, offering tailored renewable systems built for local homes and weather. We also provide honest, clear advice with no nonsense and no cold calls.
If you want to find out what funding applies to you, drop us a message to arrange a chat. It’s quick, accurate, and a much better use of five minutes than scrolling property listings and wondering what a “cosy period cottage” really means.
FAQs
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and how do I apply?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards the cost of installing an air or ground source heat pump. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the grant on your behalf, and the discount is deducted from your invoice.
Can I get a grant for solar panels?
Yes. You may qualify through ECO4, the Home Upgrade Grant, or local programmes such as Solar Together. Plus, the Smart Export Guarantee pays you for any power you send back to the grid.
Do I have to repay any grants?
No. These are non-repayable incentives, not loans.
Can I combine multiple grants?
Yes, provided each funds a separate technology. For example, BUS for a heat pump and SEG for your solar panels.
Do I need to be on benefits to qualify?
Not always. Schemes like Warm Homes: Local Grant and LA Flex are open to middle-income households or those in older properties.
What’s MCS and why does it matter?
MCS is the certification standard required for grants and SEG payments. Wise Green Energy is MCS-accredited, meaning you qualify for all available funding.
What’s the Warm Homes: Local Grant in Norwich?
It’s a local funding scheme providing up to £15,000 for insulation or heat-pump upgrades in private homes with EPC ratings of D–G and incomes under £36,000. Applications are via E.ON Energy or Norwich City Council.
What’s the Solar Together programme?
Solar Together is a group-buying scheme helping Norfolk residents get solar panels or battery storage at discounted rates through trusted installers.
Can landlords apply for grants?
Yes, as long as the rental property meets efficiency criteria and the installer is MCS-certified.
Are green grants available in Norfolk and Suffolk?
Yes. Homeowners across East Anglia can access national schemes like BUS, ECO4, and SEG, plus local ones like Warm Homes and Solar Together.
How long does it take to process a grant?
Most grants are approved within four to eight weeks once the installer submits the paperwork.
Do I need planning permission for solar?
Usually not, unless your home is listed or in a conservation area.
What’s the Smart Export Guarantee?
It pays you for surplus solar energy sent to the grid. Rates range between 5p and 15p per kWh.
How much can I save annually with grants and renewables combined?
Homes using solar panels and a heat pump can save between £1,000 and £2,000 each year through lower energy bills and SEG income.
How do I get started?
Contact Wise Green Energy for a free eligibility check. We’ll confirm which grants you qualify for and handle the applications from start to finish.
Let's put those grants to work for you
Your home’s got potential…it just needs a bit of funding to show it. Whether you’re in Norwich, Thetford, or anywhere in between, there’s a grant out there with your name on it.
At Wise Green Energy, we don’t just install solar panels and heat pumps. We help you unlock every bit of funding you’re entitled to. From the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Warm Homes Local Grant to Solar Together, ECO4 and Smart Export Guarantee, we’ll guide you through it all without the usual red tape headache.
We’ll handle the paperwork, check your eligibility, and design a renewable system that actually makes financial sense. You’ll handle the satisfaction of lower bills and a warmer, greener home.
Get in touch today. Let’s make your home the next success story and put those grants to work for you.