ECO4 & Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) for business solar

DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS ONLY. ECO4 targets low-income and vulnerable households (typically on qualifying benefits) in energy-inefficient homes (EPC D-G). GBIS targeted homes in lower council tax bands (A-D in England/Scotland). Neither scheme is available to businesses, commercial premises, landlords for commercial use, or SMEs. There is no business-eligibility route - if you run a private business and are looking to fund commercial solar, these do not apply to you. This entry exists specifically to correct a common and costly misconception: ECO4 and GBIS are frequently mislabelled online as 'solar grants' but they are DOMESTIC schemes for eligible households and are NOT available to businesses of any size. GBIS has already closed (31 March 2026). If a solar company tells a business it can get an ECO or GBIS grant, that is a red flag. Businesses should look to SEG, tax reliefs, and devolved-nation business schemes instead.

Not applicable to businesses. For context only: ECO4 is a ~£4bn supplier-funded domestic programme delivering measures (insulation, heating, some solar PV) free to eligible households; GBIS was a £1bn domestic insulation programme. No commercial funding amounts exist because businesses are excluded.

Not applicable for a private business - there is no business application route for either scheme. If a homeowner (e.g. a director in a personal capacity, not the business) wants domestic help, ECO4 applications go via obligated energy suppliers until 31 December 2026. GBIS is closed - do not attempt to apply; direct any household enquiries to ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant instead. For a private BUSINESS seeking solar funding, use SEG, tax reliefs (e.g. 50% first-year allowance / capital allowances), or the devolved-nation business schemes instead.