May 2026 · 6 min read · By Greener Solar Solutions
If you’re considering solar panels in Sussex in 2026, there are several local schemes that can knock 5–15% off the price (or, in some cases, fund the system entirely). They’re not always well advertised, and the eligibility rules change frequently.
Here’s an up-to-date round-up of the solar grants and schemes available to Sussex homeowners in 2026, with who qualifies and how to apply.
1. Solar Together (Chichester District + Horsham District)
What it is: A group-buying scheme run by local councils in partnership with iChoosr. Residents register their interest, the scheme aggregates demand, and an MCS-approved installer wins a competitive bidding round. The bulk pricing typically comes in 5–15% lower than retail.
Who qualifies: Anyone who lives in a participating district. Chichester District Council and Horsham District Council both run Solar Together programmes that residents can register for. Currently no income or property-type restrictions.
What you get: A fixed-price offer from the winning installer. You can accept or decline — no commitment to register.
How to apply: The schemes open in tranches, typically a 3-month registration window followed by offers. Check Chichester District Council and Horsham District Council for current windows.
Worth knowing: the install quality of Solar Together schemes is broadly fine, but you’re locked into the winning installer. If you want to specify a particular battery or premium panels, a direct quote from a local installer like us is often more flexible.
2. ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
What it is: A government-mandated scheme where the big energy companies fund energy efficiency improvements for low-income households. Currently in its fourth iteration (ECO4), running through to March 2026 and likely extended.
Who qualifies: Households on means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit etc.) or those flagged through Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex), which can include residents with chronic illness, low income, or other vulnerabilities.
What you get: ECO4 can fully fund a solar PV system in some cases. Otherwise it can heavily subsidise. Energy efficiency measures including insulation, heat pumps, smart heating controls and solar PV are all eligible.
How to apply: Through your energy supplier or via an ECO4-accredited installer. We can refer you if you think you might qualify.
3. Crawley Borough Council Home Energy
What it is: A council-run signposting and grant programme for Crawley residents covering insulation, heating upgrades, draught-proofing, solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on the specific funding stream within the scheme. ECO4-eligible households get the most coverage; other Crawley residents can access advice and reduced-rate offers.
How to apply: Via Crawley Borough Council or by calling the council’s energy team.
4. Adur & Worthing Councils — Home Energy Efficiency Support
What it is: Joint signposting and grant access run by Adur & Worthing Councils for residents in the Adur and Worthing local authority areas.
Who qualifies: Residents of Worthing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, Southwick, East Preston and the surrounding villages can access support primarily through ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan funding flows the council channels.
How to apply: Through the Adur & Worthing Councils’ Home Energy Efficiency Grants page or by contacting the council’s energy efficiency team.
5. East Sussex County Council schemes
What it is: Various district-level schemes including the LEEN (Local Energy Efficiency Network) and ECO Flex referrals across Lewes, Wealden, Hastings, Eastbourne and Rother districts.
Who qualifies: Varies by district and scheme. Generally aimed at lower-income households or those in fuel poverty.
How to apply: Start with your district council (Lewes, Wealden, Eastbourne, Hastings, or Rother) — they all signpost to relevant schemes.
6. Warm Homes Plan (national, launching in 2026)
What it is: A £13.2bn government scheme announced as part of the 2024–2026 fiscal plans, aimed at upgrading 5 million homes by 2030. Funding flows through local authorities and energy suppliers.
Who qualifies: Initially targeted at lower-income and fuel-poor households, with potential expansion to mid-income homeowners in later phases.
What you get: Solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation upgrades — bundled retrofit packages rather than individual measures.
How to apply: The scheme is still rolling out in 2026. Sign up to council newsletters in your district to be alerted when applications open.
7. Smart Export Guarantee (not a grant, but worth knowing about)
Once your solar panels are installed and registered with MCS, you’re eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee — payments from your energy supplier for surplus electricity exported to the grid.
Current SEG rates (May 2026) range from 4p to 15p per kWh exported, depending on the supplier and tariff. Octopus’s Outgoing Fixed and Outgoing Lite tariffs are typically the most competitive.
See our Smart Export Guarantee 2026 guide for current rates and how to switch SEG suppliers.
Things to watch out for
- “Free solar panels” cold callers — there are scams. Genuine free solar typically requires you to sign over the SEG income to a third party for 20+ years. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
- MCS certification requirement — most grants and the SEG require an MCS-certified installer. We are MCS certified — many cheaper installers aren’t.
- Survey fees — legitimate schemes don’t charge a survey fee. We don’t either.
Bottom line
Several Sussex schemes can materially reduce the cost of a solar install — particularly Solar Together (Chichester and Horsham) and ECO4 (lower-income households across the county). The Warm Homes Plan rolling out in 2026 will expand this further.
We can advise on which schemes you may qualify for as part of a free site survey. If you’re eligible, we’ll help you apply.
Find out which schemes you qualify for
Related guides
- Solar Panels West Sussex — Our West Sussex service hub.
- Solar Panels East Sussex — Our East Sussex service hub.
- Smart Export Guarantee 2026 — How to actually get paid for your solar exports.
