Cornwall Among Top UK Councils for Solar Energy Incentives – Is Your Home Eligible?

Cornwall Council has been recognised as one of the most solar-friendly councils in the UK, offering more incentives for homeowners to install solar panels than almost any other local authority. According to research by eco-home technology brand Hive Home, Cornwall and Bristol top the list, each offering four separate incentives on top of national government schemes.

What Makes Cornwall a Solar Leader?

While the UK government provides a range of schemes to encourage solar energy adoption, Hive Home’s research found that only 52 of the 417 councils analysed offer at least one additional incentive beyond nationwide schemes. Cornwall stands out with four separate incentives, making it one of the most proactive councils in supporting homeowners to go solar.

Cornwall Council’s additional support includes:

• Grants through Happy Energy Solutions – helping residents reduce the cost of installation.
• Council-funded loans via Lendology – providing financial assistance for solar panel purchases.
• Local Authority Delivery funding – targeting council homes for energy efficiency upgrades.
• Whole House Retrofits via the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – helping improve energy efficiency in social housing.

Cornwall Leads the Way in Solar Installations

The findings align with a recent analysis by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which revealed that Cornwall has more MCS-certified renewable energy installations than any other UK council. In 2024 alone, more than 1,800 renewable energy systems were installed in the county, bringing the total to 38,000. Over 15% of Cornish households now have an MCS-certified renewable installation, including solar panels.

How Cornwall Compares to Other Councils

While Cornwall and Bristol lead the way, the research found that most UK councils offer little to no additional incentives beyond government schemes. In fact, only nine councils in the UK provide more than two additional incentives, and all of them are in the South West or South East of England.

Other councils with notable incentives include:

• Cotswold District Council – partners with MakeMyHouseGreen for a £500 solar panel discount.
• West Suffolk Council – offers a Retrofit Assessment Voucher Scheme and council-funded loans.
• Suffolk County Council – provides Warm Homes Suffolk Loans and interest-free loans via Lendology.

UK Councils Offering the Most Solar Incentives

Council	County, Region	Incentives
Bristol City Council	Bristol, South West	1. Council-backed loans through Lendology 2. Home Assessment Vouchers 3. Community Group Grants 4. Bright Green Homes funding via Retrofit West
Cornwall Council	Cornwall, South West	1. Grants through Happy Energy Solutions 2. Council-funded loans via Lendology 3. Local Authority Delivery funding for council homes 4. Whole House Retrofits via the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
Cotswold District Council	Gloucestershire, South West	1. £500 discount on solar panels via MakeMyHouseGreen 2. Warm and Well energy efficiency grants through Severn Wye Energy Agency
West Suffolk Council	Suffolk, South East	1. Retrofit Assessment Voucher Scheme 2. Council-funded loans through Lendology
Guildford Borough Council	Surrey, South West	1. Renewable Technology Loans 2. Feed-in Tariff and Green Deal 3. Renewable Heat Incentive
St Edmundsbury Borough Council	Suffolk, South East	1. Retrofit Assessment Voucher Scheme 2. Warm Homes Suffolk Loans
Suffolk Coastal District Council	Suffolk, South East	1. Warm Homes Suffolk Loans 2. Loans through Lendology
Suffolk County Council	Suffolk, South East	1. Warm Homes Suffolk Loans 2. Interest-free loans via Lendology 3. Home Energy Efficiency Assessment Voucher Scheme
Surrey Heath Borough Council	Surrey, South West	1. Home Energy Improvement One-Stop Shop 2. Grants through Action Surrey

Nationwide Solar Incentives Available

Even if your local council doesn’t offer additional support, there are still several government schemes available across the UK, including:

• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) – provides free or subsidised solar panels to eligible households. Ends in March 2026.
• Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) – available until March 2025, supporting low-income, off-grid homes with energy upgrades.
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) – allows homeowners to sell excess solar energy back to the grid for financial returns.
• Solar Together – a group-buying scheme that helps residents access lower-cost solar panel installations.

Is Cornwall the Best Place for Solar Panels?

Interestingly, while Cornwall tops the list for incentives, it does not appear on Hive Home’s separate list of the best UK locations for solar efficiency. This ranking is based on factors like sunshine hours and the number of suitable homes for solar panels. Castle Point in Essex was found to have the best conditions for solar energy, yet it does not offer any additional council incentives, highlighting an untapped opportunity.

What This Means for Cornwall Residents

With rising energy costs and a national push towards net-zero emissions by 2050, Cornwall’s approach to solar incentives provides homeowners with a unique opportunity to cut energy bills and contribute to a greener future.

To see where the best locations for solar energy are in the UK, visit Hive Home’s website..