If you have been thinking about installing solar panels or battery storage, it is worth checking what your mortgage lender offers before you go ahead. A growing number of UK high-street banks now run green home incentive schemes - including cashback rewards and interest-free lending - specifically for customers who make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.
This article sets out what is currently available, who each scheme is designed for, and where to go to check whether you are eligible. Eligibility criteria, amounts, and deadlines are set by the banks themselves and can change - always check directly with your lender before booking any work.
| Important: Apollogrid is not affiliated with any of the banks listed below and cannot process or administer these schemes on your behalf. The information below is provided for general guidance only. Always verify current terms, eligibility, and deadlines directly with your bank before committing to an installation.
Why are banks offering cashback for solar?
Several major UK lenders have introduced green home incentive schemes as part of their commitments to support customers in making their homes more energy efficient. These schemes vary in structure - some offer a cashback payment after installation, others offer preferential borrowing terms to fund the work upfront.
For homeowners considering solar panels or battery storage, these schemes can make a meaningful difference to the overall cost - provided you meet the eligibility criteria and follow the correct claim process.
Lloyds Bank - Eco Home Reward
Lloyds Bank offers cashback rewards for eligible mortgage customers who install qualifying energy-efficiency improvements, including solar panels and battery storage.
According to information published on the Lloyds Bank website, eligible customers may be able to claim:
- Up to £1,000 cashback for solar panel installation
- Up to £1,000 cashback for solar battery storage
- Up to £2,000 cashback for heat pump installation
Key eligibility points as published by Lloyds Bank:
- Available to Lloyds mortgage customers applying for a new mortgage, additional borrowing, or switching to a new deal after 31 July 2024
- One claim per mortgage
- The home improvement must be completed within one year of applying for the relevant mortgage product
- Full eligibility criteria are set by Lloyds Bank
→ Check current eligibility and terms directly with Lloyds Bank:
www.lloydsbank.com — Eco Home Offers
Halifax — Green Living Reward
Halifax runs a similar scheme for its mortgage customers, offering cashback for qualifying green home improvements including solar panels and battery storage.
According to information published on the Halifax website, eligible customers may be able to claim:
- Up to £1,000 cashback for solar panel installation
- Up to £1,000 cashback for solar battery storage
- Up to £2,000 cashback for heat pump installation
Key eligibility points as published by Halifax:
- Available to Halifax mortgage customers applying for a new mortgage, additional borrowing, or switching to a new deal after 31 July 2024
- The home improvement must be completed within one year of applying for the relevant mortgage product
- Full eligibility criteria are set by Halifax
→ Check current eligibility and terms directly with Halifax:
www.halifax.co.uk — Green Living
Barclays — Greener Home Reward
Barclays offers a Greener Home Reward for eligible residential mortgage customers who install qualifying energy-efficiency improvements.
According to information published on the Barclays website, eligible customers may be able to claim:
- Up to £500 cashback for solar panel installation
- Up to £500 cashback for solar battery storage
- Up to £1,000 cashback for qualifying low-carbon heating
Key eligibility points as published by Barclays:
- Available to Barclays residential mortgage customers only
- One claim per mortgage
- Must be your permanent residence
- The installation must be carried out by a TrustMark-approved installer
- Cashback is paid 30 days after installation into the account from which mortgage payments are taken
- You must submit your claim within three months of the date on your MCS certificate
→ Check current eligibility and terms directly with Barclays:
www.barclays.co.uk — Greener Home Reward
Nationwide — Green Additional Borrowing
Nationwide offers a different type of support — rather than cashback after installation, Nationwide provides preferential borrowing terms to help fund green home improvements upfront.
According to information published on the Nationwide website, eligible customers may be able to access:
- 0% fixed interest for the first 2 or 5 years on additional borrowing of up to £20,000
- The loan must be used entirely for energy-efficiency improvements to the property
Key eligibility points as published by Nationwide:
- Available to Nationwide mortgage customers only
- One Green Additional Borrowing mortgage per property
- Available on 2 or 5-year fixed-rate terms
- 100% of the loan must be used for energy-efficiency improvements
- The term of the additional borrowing cannot exceed the term of the main mortgage
→ Check current eligibility and terms directly with Nationwide:
www.nationwide.co.uk — Green Additional Borrowing
What to check before booking your installation
If you are considering making a claim under any of these schemes, there are several important points to address before you commit to an installation:
Check eligibility first. Each scheme has specific eligibility requirements relating to your mortgage type, when you applied, and the property in question. Contact your lender directly before booking any work to confirm you qualify.
Understand the timing rules. Most schemes require the installation to be completed within a specific window — typically tied to when you applied for or switched your mortgage product. Installing before confirming your eligibility could result in a failed claim.
Use a qualified installer. Several schemes require installation to be carried out by an MCS-certified installer and, in the case of Barclays, a TrustMark-approved installer. Our installers are MCS-certified, meaning our installations meet the certification requirements referenced by these schemes. However, approval of any cashback claim remains entirely at the discretion of your bank.
Keep your documentation. MCS installation certificates, invoices, and commissioning records are typically required when making a claim. Apollogrid provides all relevant documentation at the point of handover as standard.
Check deadlines for claiming. Most schemes have a specific window after installation within which you must submit your claim - for example, Barclays requires submission within three months of the MCS certificate date. Missing this window may mean your claim is rejected.
What Apollogrid can help with
Apollogrid carries out MCS-certified solar panel and battery storage installations across the UK. If you are considering a solar installation and want to understand whether it is suitable for your property, we offer a free, no-obligation survey and consultation.
We are not in a position to advise on bank cashback eligibility - that is a matter between you and your lender. What we can do is ensure that any installation we carry out meets the certification and documentation standards that these schemes typically require.
If you would like to find out whether solar or battery storage is right for your home, we would be happy to help.
Book your free consultation with Apollogrid →
Last updated: April 2026
Scheme details, eligibility criteria, and cashback amounts are set by the respective banks and are subject to change. Always check directly with your lender for current terms before booking any installation work.