Solar Panel funding/help on low wage?

Lord_Percy

Hi, I am on a low wage and struggling (have diabetes too which doesn't help), and was looking at solar panels to help me keep warm in winter as I find I cannot afford the heating & electric bills as they go higher and higher.

I tried the warm homes program, but got nowhere. I get all these adverts on FB etc telling me I can get free or partially funded solar panels for my small bungalow. Are they all a scam? Does anyone know where to go that is actually legit and will give advise or a saving?

As i'm getting old, I feel like life is getting beyond my means financially. It's confusing trying to find where to actually inquire. Not looking forward to winter.

Am on South coast. Sussex.

Thank you for any advice

sheenas

Solar is not a solution for heating your home in winter. There is DIY solar now, which effectively here now and as you don't need expensive an installation may be a solution to help with the electricity bill. This will reduce you electricity bill mostly during the summer. You would need a flat area or roof that the solar panels can sit on and then just plug in and off you go.

Lord_Percy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047224#Comment_82047224

Thanks, but it would be, as the money I would save on electric could be put towards my gas bill.

Keep_pedalling

Solar can only help keep you warm in winter if you save the amount you can earn from exporting then spend that money on energy in the colder months.

Lord_Percy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047234#Comment_82047234

It's not just keeping warm, its cutting the cost of the utility bills i'm paying (electric in particular) which are going up and up.

QrizB

Which energy company are you with? All the big ones are in the ECO4 scheme, which you might qualify for:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco

The scheme is open until the end of the year:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-the-eco4-end-date/outcome/extending-the-eco4-end-date-government-response-html

There's meant to be a follow-on scheme but I don't know if the details have been announced yet.

Edit to add: ECO4 won't just get you solar panels, you'll probably be offered extra insulation and a heat pump too.

Lord_Percy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047302#Comment_82047302

Thank you.

i'm with OVO atm.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047232#Comment_82047232

That's the way to view it. During the Summer you save, or may a make a profit, making it easier to afford Winter bills.

QrizB

Seems that OVO aren't accepting any new applications:

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/home-and-heating-138/the-eco4-scheme-18651

However, there might also be ECO4 funding via your local council. Check their website. (If you have separate district and county councils, check both.)

If all else fails, try one of the many, many ECO4 eligibility websites but beware that they're a bunch of poorly-regulated chancers so you'll need to be very careful. (As you noted in your first post, all these ads on Facebook etc. seem very scammy.)

tfhnota

If you are not on benefits of any kind then the only one is the Local Grant Warm Homes "run" by your local council but usually off-loaded to an energy agent to do the actual work but already too many people for the money available and funds arrive over the next couple of years according to postcode, unless changed by the "new" government. There is a new Warm Homes Agency being formed that may take direct applications, supposed to be able to check eligibility via HMRC if they can get their systems to work together. Eco4 Flex was the other alternative for non-benefits run in a similar way but when I finally got to the assessment (over the phone) they would not move to the next level unless I was adding five grand to the pot so likely a waste of time if still open, which I doubt (local Grant they can not demand extra money). You have to have an EPC of D or worse for both of these as well as household income under 35k. Yes, the adverts are a scam or aimed at the welfare wallahs. I think there are threads on solar installs on this site which will give an idea of costs, probably under 5k for a small system and you may be able to snag an interest free loan from the Warm Homes system or some mortgage providers offer the same. South facing roof makes it easier, as does tile rather than slate, as does bungalow rather than two storey… but the payback savings depend on export payment which are not fixed and trending down, or it you add a battery TOU tariffs that are not fixed long term either, could quite easily end up paying more (electric plus loan repayment) but the enthusiasts will say otherwise. Super-insulating the house may have a better payback.

Lord_Percy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047342#Comment_82047342

Thank you very much. :)