Are free solar panels a good deal?
Free solar panels usually come through a 'rent-a-roof' scheme where a company installs panels at no cost but keeps the export income and most of the financial benefit, leaving you only the daytime electricity you use. For most homeowners, owning your own system is the far better deal because you keep all the savings, all the export income and the home-value benefit.
How rent-a-roof works
The provider funds the installation and signs a long lease (often 20 to 25 years) on your roof space. You get free use of the electricity generated while you are at home, but the provider takes the Smart Export Guarantee income and owns the system. The lease can also complicate selling or re-roofing your home.
Why owning is usually better
- You keep all savings (£400 to £1,150 a year) and all export income.
- 0% VAT and falling hardware prices make buying more affordable than it used to be.
- No lease to disclose to buyers or lenders when you sell.
- Genuine grants (such as ECO4) help eligible low-income households own a system outright.
Frequently asked questions
- Are free solar panel schemes still available?
- Some exist, but they are far less common since the original Feed-in Tariff ended. Most genuine help today comes from 0% VAT and means-tested grants for owned systems.
- Can free solar panels affect selling my house?
- Yes. A roof lease must be disclosed and can complicate a sale or mortgage, so read the terms carefully.
Related questions
Indicative estimates based on UK average data. Last updated 27 May 2026.