The short answer: there's no general solar panel grant for homes in Northern Ireland in 2026. nidirect says so plainly. But NI homes pay 0% VAT on solar until 31 March 2027, Power NI pays 11.88p for every unit you export, the UK Warm Homes Loan now covers NI (up to £15,000 for solar), and lower-income homeowners replacing old heating can get solar fully funded through NISEP's Toasty Homes scheme.
GB schemes stop at the Irish Sea: ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Smart Export Guarantee and the Warm Homes: Local Grant don't apply here. Everything below was checked on primary sources on 1 November 2026.
Solar panel grants in Northern Ireland: what's open in 2026
Here's every route for an NI home that we could confirm on primary sources on 1 November 2026, including what's closed.
| Route | What you get | Who it's for | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISEP Toasty Homes: Heat Pump and Solar | Air source heat pump, solar PV and battery storage, plus loft or cavity insulation. Fully funded | Owner occupiers under £28,000 gross income (single) or £35,000 (couple or family), replacing old or no heating | Listed for 2026/27 while funds last (to 31 March 2027) |
| Zero VAT on solar | No VAT on panels or batteries fitted in your home | Every NI home | Open to 31 March 2027, then 5% |
| Warm Homes Loan | Low and no-interest loans: solar up to £15,000, battery up to £15,000 | Households across the UK, including NI. MCS-certified installer | Launched: ten lenders to start with (GOV.UK, 27 October 2026) |
| Power NI export tariff | 11.88p per kWh you export | Generators up to 50kW with a Power NI export contract | Open: 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027 |
| NISEP Priority PV Scheme | Solar PV, hybrid inverter and battery: 50% NISEP, the rest paid by the Housing Executive | Housing Executive tenants in single-storey homes outside the gas network. NIHE picks the homes | NIHE selects; you can't apply |
| Affordable Warmth Scheme | Insulation, heating and windows. No solar | Owner occupiers and private tenants under £23,000 gross income | Subject to funding; to be replaced by the Warm Healthy Homes Fund from April 2027 |
Sources: nidirect, the Utility Regulator's NISEP list of schemes 2026/27, HMRC Notice 708/6, GOV.UK, Power NI and the Housing Executive. Full links below.
NISEP Toasty Homes: solar fully funded, if you qualify
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is paid for by every NI electricity customer and run by Energy Saving Trust for the Utility Regulator. One of its 2026/27 schemes, Toasty Homes: Heat Pump and Solar Technologies, fits an air source heat pump, solar PV and a battery, plus insulation, at no cost to you. You need to:
- own and live in the home, anywhere in Northern Ireland;
- have a household income under £28,000 gross (single person) or £35,000 (couple or family), including pensions;
- be replacing or upgrading your heating: no central heating, solid fuel, an oil or LPG boiler over 15 years old or broken beyond repair, or Economy 7 heaters fitted before 2018.
The NISEP year runs to 31 March 2027 or until funds run out, and scheme managers keep waiting lists when a scheme is oversubscribed. You can't get NISEP money for a measure that another grant has already paid for at the same home, or that had a grant in the last 15 years. Apply to the scheme manager, McGaffin Mechanical (028 9099 6747), not to us. For free, impartial advice on NI schemes, call NI Energy Advice on 0800 111 44 55.
Insulation is much easier to get funded in NI than solar. NISEP also fully funds loft and cavity wall insulation on its own for owner occupiers under £33,000 (single) or £40,000 (couple or family), and the Affordable Warmth Scheme pays up to £7,500 for households under £23,000. See insulation grants in Northern Ireland.
Paying for it yourself? Zero VAT and the Warm Homes Loan
Most NI homes pay for solar themselves, and two things help. First, 0% VAT: under the Windsor Framework, the zero rate on energy-saving materials was extended to Northern Ireland from 1 May 2023. It covers solar panels and, from 1 February 2024, batteries, until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 the rate goes back to 5%, so a system fitted this winter or spring avoids VAT. See our VAT relief guide.
Second, the Warm Homes Loan. GOV.UK's factsheet of 27 October 2026 says the loans are open to households across the whole UK, Northern Ireland included, with up to £15,000 for solar panels and up to £15,000 for a battery, fitted by an MCS-certified installer. You apply to a participating lender or installer. See Warm Homes Loan for solar panels for the lenders and how it works. We don't arrange credit.
GB solar schemes that don't cover Northern Ireland
Lots of UK solar advice online is really GB advice. These don't apply in NI:
| Scheme | Covers NI? | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | No | Installations must be located in Great Britain (Ofgem) |
| ECO4 | No | A government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain (Ofgem) |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | No | Only available in England (GOV.UK) |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | No | Open in England and Wales. NI's Boiler Replacement Scheme is closed (GOV.UK) |
| Warm Homes Loan | Yes | Households across the UK, including Northern Ireland (GOV.UK) |
| 0% VAT on solar | Yes | Extended to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework (nidirect) |
So if a page tells you to "apply for ECO4 solar" from a BT postcode, it's wrong for you. Our UK-wide solar panel grants guide covers the GB schemes.
Selling solar power back in Northern Ireland: Power NI pays 11.88p
With no SEG, export works differently. NIE Networks connects your system but says it doesn't buy your electricity: you need a purchase contract with an electricity supplier. Power NI publishes its rate:
| Power NI renewable tariff | Rate | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Export | 11.88p per kWh | 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027 |
| Who | Export generators up to 50kW | Price approved by the Utility Regulator each year |
| ROCs | Not for new systems | Power NI says the government ROC scheme closed in March 2017 |
Since 1 October 2022, NI micro-generators have been credited on actual meter reads of what they export, instead of an assumed 45% (Utility Regulator). Other NI suppliers set their own terms, so ask before you sign.
The bigger win is using your own power. Power NI's standard domestic unit rate is 34.15p per kWh including VAT (checked 1 November 2026), nearly three times the export rate. Every unit you use yourself is worth about 34p; every unit you export earns 11.88p. That's why a solar battery pays more in NI than in most of GB.
Are solar panels worth it in Northern Ireland?
Yes, for most homes with a decent roof, because NI electricity is dear. NI gets less sun than southern England, but the higher unit price does a lot of the work. Here's a 4kW south-facing system in three NI places, on the EU's PVGIS model:
| Place | Output per kW a year | 4kW system a year | Value, no battery | Value, with battery | Payback, no battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | 919 kWh | about 3,680 kWh | £760 | £1,010 | 9–10 years |
| Enniskillen | 853 kWh | about 3,410 kWh | £710 | £940 | 9–11 years |
| Derry/Londonderry | 842 kWh | about 3,370 kWh | £700 | £930 | 9–11 years |
Output: PVGIS 5.3, 35° south-facing, 14% losses, queried 1 November 2026 (London: 1,019 kWh per kW for comparison). Value: 40% (no battery) or 70% (with battery) of the output used at Power NI's standard 34.15p/kWh, the rest exported at 11.88p/kWh. These shares are planning assumptions, not measurements. Payback: the GB 2025/26 price range for 4kW (£6,600–£7,800, DESNZ) divided by the no-battery value; the battery's own cost isn't included.
Belfast panels make about 10% less power than London's, yet a Belfast system is worth about as much a year as one in Cornwall on GB prices: compare the city table in are solar panels worth it in 2026. Derry and Fermanagh get a little less sun than Belfast. Your installer's MCS estimate for your own roof is the number to trust.
How much do solar panels cost in Northern Ireland?
No official dataset covers NI prices: the government's solar cost data, built from the MCS installation database, applies to England, Scotland and Wales only. As a benchmark, its 2025/26 averages put a 4kW home system at about £6,600 to £7,800, with no VAT. Expect NI quotes to be judged against that range, and get more than one.
- Scaffolding, roof type and the inverter move every quote. A battery is a separate line: see solar battery costs.
- No VAT should be added for a home installation until 31 March 2027.
- Ask for the MCS performance estimate in kWh a year. Every saving in the quote should come from it.
For what drives the price, read our solar panel cost guide, and for how a system works and what size you need, our solar panels guide.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels in Northern Ireland?
Usually not. NI has its own permitted development rules: Part 2 of the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015. Roof panels on a house, or on a garage or shed in its grounds, are allowed within these limits:
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Pitched roof facing a road | No more than 20cm beyond the roof slope |
| Ridged roof | Not above the highest part of the roof |
| Flat roof | No more than 1.5m above the roof |
| Any roof | Not beyond the edge of the roof |
| Conservation area or World Heritage Site | Not on a roof slope that faces and is visible from a road; flat-roof panels not visible from a road |
| Listed building | Listed building consent first |
| Ground-mounted | One array, up to 14 square metres and 2m high, no nearer the road than the house |
The panels must mainly power the house, and be removed when no longer used. If you're near a limit, ask your council's planning office before you sign.
Connecting to the grid: NIE Networks G98/NI
In NI the grid operator is NIE Networks, with its own versions of the GB rules. Systems up to 3.68kW on a single-phase supply (or 11.04kW three-phase) go under G98/NI, a "fit and inform" route: your installer fits the system and has 30 days from commissioning to send NIE Networks the paperwork. Most homes fit within that. Anything bigger goes under G99/NI, which needs approval before installation, so build in the wait. Your installer normally applies for you.
Get a solar quote in Northern Ireland
Paying yourself, using the Warm Homes Loan, or just pricing it up? Tell us about your home and, if an MCS-certified installer covers your BT postcode, we pass your enquiry to that one installer for a survey and a written quote. No obligation.
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If an accredited (MCS-certified) installer covers your area, we'll pass your enquiry to them, and only them. They can arrange a roof survey and quote.
Judge the quote
Check it against the figures on this page. If it's out of range, you can say no. No obligation at any stage.
Get your solar quote in Northern Ireland
One MCS-certified installer who covers your postcode. Nothing is shared until you submit.
How your enquiry is handled
- One installer introduction, fulfilling your request. If an accredited (MCS-certified) installer covers your area, we'll pass your enquiry to them, and only them — not a list of companies.
- No obligation, at any stage. You can say no at any point, including after the survey or the quote, and owe nothing.
- It costs you nothing. An installer may pay Great British Energy a referral fee if you go ahead, and that fee does not change your price.
- We are an independent guide, not an installer. Great British Energy Guide doesn't install anything and isn't the government body of a similar name. Your consent is recorded with the enquiry, as set out in our privacy policy.
Running a business, farm or organisation in NI? Business routes are different: NISEP's 20% commercial grant, Invest NI support and the 50kW rates rule. See Northern Ireland business energy grants and Invest NI.
Solar panels in Northern Ireland: common questions
Are there solar panel grants in Northern Ireland?
Not for most homes. nidirect says there is no financial support for homeowners who want to generate their own electricity with solar panels. The exception is NISEP's Toasty Homes scheme, which fully funds an air source heat pump, solar PV and a battery for owner occupiers under its income limits (under £28,000 gross for a single person, £35,000 for a couple or family) who are replacing old or no heating, while its 2026/27 funds last. Every NI home gets 0% VAT on solar until 31 March 2027, and the UK Warm Homes Loan now covers Northern Ireland.
Can I get solar panels fully funded in Northern Ireland?
Only through NISEP's Toasty Homes scheme, and only if you own and live in the home, your household income is under £28,000 gross (single) or £35,000 (couple or family), and you're replacing or upgrading your heating: no central heating, solid fuel, an oil or LPG boiler over 15 years old or broken, or Economy 7 heaters fitted before 2018. It fits a heat pump, solar PV and a battery. Funds are limited, so contact the scheme manager, McGaffin Mechanical, on 028 9099 6747. Housing Executive tenants may be picked for the separate Priority PV Scheme.
How much do solar panels cost in Northern Ireland?
There's no official cost dataset for Northern Ireland: the government's solar cost data covers England, Scotland and Wales only. As a benchmark, the 2025/26 GB averages put a 4kW home system at about £6,600 to £7,800, with no VAT. NI homes also pay 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Get a written MCS quote for your roof to see the real price.
Are solar panels worth it in Northern Ireland?
Often, yes, because NI electricity is expensive. Belfast gets about 919kWh a year per kW of south-facing panels (PVGIS), around 10% less than London. But at Power NI's standard rate of 34.15p per kWh, a 4kW system in Belfast is worth roughly £760 a year without a battery, or about £1,010 with one, using 40% or 70% of the output yourself and exporting the rest at 11.88p. That's a payback of about 9–10 years on GB benchmark prices.
Does the Smart Export Guarantee apply in Northern Ireland?
No. Ofgem says SEG installations must be in Great Britain. In Northern Ireland you need a purchase contract with an electricity supplier to be paid for export. Power NI pays 11.88p per kWh for export from generators up to 50kW, from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, at a price the Utility Regulator approves each year.
How much does Power NI pay for solar export?
11.88p per kWh, for the export tariff year 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, for generators up to 50kW. Power NI sets a fixed price each year and the Utility Regulator approves it. New systems don't get ROC payments: Power NI says the government ROC scheme closed in March 2017. Since 1 October 2022, export in NI has been credited on actual meter reads, not an estimate.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Northern Ireland?
Usually not. Under Part 2 of the NI permitted development order, roof panels on a house are allowed if they don't stick out more than 20cm from a roof slope facing a road, don't go above the ridge (or more than 1.5m above a flat roof) and don't go past the roof edge. Listed buildings need listed building consent first, and in a conservation area or World Heritage Site panels can't go on a road-facing slope. One ground-mounted array of up to 14 square metres and 2m high is allowed if it's no nearer the road than the house.
Is there VAT on solar panels in Northern Ireland?
No, not on installation in a home until 31 March 2027. Under the Windsor Framework the zero rate on energy-saving materials was extended to Northern Ireland from 1 May 2023. Batteries are zero-rated too, from 1 February 2024. From 1 April 2027 the rate goes back to 5%.
Can I get the Warm Homes Loan in Northern Ireland?
Yes. GOV.UK's factsheet (27 October 2026) says the loans are available to households across the UK, including Northern Ireland. They can fund solar panels up to £15,000 and a battery up to £15,000, fitted by an MCS-certified installer. You apply to a participating lender or installer; we don't arrange credit.
Do I need to tell NIE Networks about solar panels?
Your installer does. Systems up to 3.68kW on a single-phase supply (or 11.04kW three-phase) go under G98/NI, a "fit and inform" process: the installer has 30 days from commissioning to send NIE Networks the paperwork. Bigger systems go under G99/NI, which needs approval before installation. NIE Networks doesn't buy your power, so you'll also need an export contract with a supplier.
Sources
- nidirect: Support to generate your own electricity (no financial support for homeowners; zero VAT extended to NI).
- nidirect: Energy saving grants in your area.
- HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: zero rate on energy-saving materials to 31 March 2027, then 5%; batteries from 1 February 2024.
- Utility Regulator: NISEP list of schemes, April 2026 to March 2027 (Toasty Homes p.15; Priority PV p.31), published 1 April 2026.
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive: Affordable Warmth Scheme; Northern Ireland Housing Executive: NI Energy Advice (0800 111 44 55).
- Department for Communities: Warm Healthy Homes Fund from April 2027 (published 19 May 2026).
- GOV.UK: Warm Homes Loan scheme factsheet (27 October 2026): UK-wide including Northern Ireland; solar up to £15,000.
- Power NI: Renewable tariff rates, export 11.88p/kWh, 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027; Power NI: Microgeneration (ROC scheme closed March 2017; tariff approved by the Utility Regulator); Power NI: How much will I be paid for selling my excess electricity? (export generators up to 50kW).
- Power NI: Electricity unit rates (standard 34.15p/kWh incl. VAT, checked 1 November 2026).
- Utility Regulator: micro-generator export settled on actual meter reads from 1 October 2022.
- NIE Networks: G98/NI installations (Fit and Inform; supplier contract needed to export); NIE Networks: G99/NI installations (approval before installation).
- Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015, Schedule Part 2: domestic microgeneration (revised text, checked 1 November 2026).
- European Commission JRC, PVGIS 5.3: 1kWp, 35° south, 14% loss, SARAH3 2005–2023 (queried 1 November 2026).
- DESNZ: Solar PV cost data (England, Scotland and Wales; updated 28 May 2026): 2025/26 domestic mean cost per kW (up to 4kW and 4–10kW bands), used here only as a GB benchmark.
- Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee (installations must be located in Great Britain); Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation, a scheme in Great Britain; GOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales; NI Boiler Replacement Scheme closed); GOV.UK: Warm Homes: Local Grant (England only).
- All checked 1 November 2026. Great British Energy (greatbritishenergy.com) is an independent guide. We are not the government company Great British Energy (gbe.gov.uk), the Northern Ireland Executive, the Housing Executive, the Utility Regulator, NIE Networks or Power NI.