A household that had solar panels installed for free through the Warm Homes: Local Grant paid less than £3 a month for electricity from April to September this year, on top of the electricity standing charge.
The panels were installed at the start of October 2025 after the local council told the household it was eligible for the scheme. The home had an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D and was in an eligible postcode.
The household also sold electricity back to the grid using a battery, earning £197 since January. July and August were the best months, at £41 and £32 respectively. Consumption costs were higher in colder months: £32 in January, £25 in February and £12 in March.
The household reported that a smartphone app showed savings of more than 2,700 kilograms of carbon dioxide and more than 337 litres of oil since installation. The battery can produce a low humming noise in summer as its internal fan cools the unit, and the household installed a wooden trellis screen around it.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is open to homes in England. Typically, the home must be privately owned by the occupant or a landlord and have an EPC of D, E, F or G. Household income must normally be £36,000 a year or under, although households may still qualify if they earn more and live in a specific postcode or are on benefits.