Solar panels and battery storage for landlords: what to know
Solar panels and battery storage for landlords can cut a tenant's electricity bill and add to a home's smart readiness on the new EPC. This page covers which rented homes suit them, what funding exists, why MCS matters and how a typical installation runs.
Last checked: 21 October 2026.
Book a free retrofit assessment
What a solar and battery system includes
A rooftop array turns daylight into electricity that the home can use at once. A battery holds surplus power for the evening. An inverter converts the current, and a meter records what is used and sent to the grid.
You can fit panels without a battery. Many landlords start there and add storage later if the roof and wiring allow.
Solar panels for rental property: which homes suit them?
The roof matters most. Look for these signs:
- A south, east or west facing slope with little shade.
- A roof in sound condition, as panels last for years.
- An electrical supply and consumer unit that can take the extra equipment.
- A tenant who uses electricity during the day, or a battery to store it.
Flats, shaded terraces and roofs near the end of their life need more thought. Our assessor inspects the roof and the supply before recommending anything. Read the roof insulation page if the roof also needs work.
Solar panels and battery storage for landlords: the EPC position
Under confirmed government policy, a rented home first meets a fabric standard on the new EPC. It then meets either a heating system standard or a smart readiness standard. The government response names solar panels and batteries as smart measures that can serve as an alternative to a heat pump.
That status is confirmed policy, not yet law, as at 21 October 2026. Thresholds are not yet published, so we cannot promise a rating. See the EPC C 2030 guide for the full position.
Solar panels grant and funding routes
There is no single national solar grant for landlords. Two routes may apply.
Warm Homes: Local Grant in Greater Manchester
The grant covers solar panels and battery storage among its measures. A landlord's first property can receive 100% of eligible costs. Later properties receive 50%. The property needs an EPC of D or E, the tenant household must qualify and the Good Landlord Charter condition applies.
ECO4 solar for eligible households
ECO4 can fund solar only for eligible households, and the landlord must agree in writing. The scheme ends on 31 December 2026, so there is little time left. Do not count on funding until it is agreed and booked.
Our grants for landlords guide lists amounts, end dates and sources.
Battery storage and the Smart Export Guarantee
Battery storage lets a household use more of its own power. The Smart Export Guarantee pays for electricity sent back to the grid. GOV.UK says the installation and the installer must be certified through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and the home needs a meter that records half-hourly exports.
Suppliers set their own tariffs, so the payment varies. Decide in the tenancy agreement who receives export income.
Why choose an MCS solar installer
MCS certification is the standard for small-scale generation. It matters for Smart Export Guarantee payments and for many grants. Ask any installer for their MCS number and check it on the public register. The installer should also join a consumer code.
Poor installs leak, shade themselves or overload the supply. A certified installer works to a written design and signs off the commissioning.
| Route | Who it suits | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Self-funded solar | Landlords with a sound, unshaded roof | MCS install for export payments |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Greater Manchester rentals rated D or E | Qualifying tenant household |
| ECO4 | Eligible households only | Ends 31 December 2026 |
What does it cost?
Price depends on roof size, panel count and battery capacity. Indicative price from £6,500 for a 4 kW solar system and from £2,500 for a 5 kWh battery (UK market research, 2026). This is not a quote: your written quote after a survey is the confirmed price.
Zero VAT applies to solar panels and batteries installed in a home until 31 March 2027, then 5% from 1 April 2027, according to HMRC.
Finance is available through our partner Ideal4Finance: 0% APR over 3 to 60 months, or 10.9% APR over 120 months. A deposit might be payable, and we will agree this before you begin your application. LAMTANS ENGINEERING LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Ideal Sales Solutions Ltd, t/a Ideal4Finance. Ideal Sales Solutions Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender (FRN 703401). The rate offered is always provisional and will depend upon your personal circumstances, the loan amount and the term.
How the installation works
- Survey: roof, supply and shading are checked.
- Design: panel layout and any battery are agreed in writing.
- Install: scaffold, panels, inverter and wiring go in.
- Commission: the system is tested and registered.
- Handover: the tenant gets plain instructions and you keep the certificates.
Adviser tip from a Retrofit Assessor: check the roof before the quote, not after. A roof that needs repair in three years costs far more once panels are on it, because the array must come off and go back.
Who delivers the work
Compliant Lets is a trading name of LAMTANS Holdings Ltd. The installation is carried out by LAMTANS Engineering Ltd, which holds MCS certification for solar PV and batteries, along with PAS 2030, PAS 2035 and TrustMark.
Check the registers yourself: TrustMark, RECC, ICO, Gas Safe Register and Simply Certification.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Smart Export Guarantee, checked 21 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, government response, checked 21 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Extending the ECO4 end date, checked 21 October 2026
- GMCA: Warm Homes Local Grant, privately rented scheme, checked 21 October 2026
- GOV.UK: VAT on energy-saving materials and heating equipment (Notice 708/6), checked 21 October 2026
Designed & developed by LAMTANS Technologies LLC, USA — part of the LAMTANS Group
Frequently asked questions
Can landlords fit solar panels on a rented home?
Yes, if you own the roof and any lease or mortgage terms allow. Tell the tenant, agree access and decide who benefits from export income.
Is there a grant for solar panels?
Possibly. Greater Manchester's Warm Homes: Local Grant covers solar for qualifying properties. ECO4 can fund solar for eligible households until 31 December 2026.
Does solar help my EPC?
The government treats solar panels and batteries as smart measures on the new EPC. The scoring thresholds are not published, so we do not quote a rating.
Do I need a battery?
No. Panels work alone. A battery stores spare power for evening use and suits households with higher night-time demand.
Why must the installer be MCS certified?
GOV.UK requires MCS certification of the installation and installer for Smart Export Guarantee payments. Many grants ask for it too.
Who gets the Smart Export Guarantee payments?
That depends on who owns the system and what the tenancy says. Agree it in writing before installation.
Who benefits from the lower bill?
The tenant, if they pay the electricity. The landlord gains from a better EPC position and a more attractive home.
How long does installation take?
Time depends on the size of the system and the roof. We confirm it after the survey.
Is ECO4 solar open to all tenants?
No. Only eligible households can receive it, and the scheme ends on 31 December 2026. We check the household before promising anything.
Is solar VAT free?
HMRC zero-rates installation in a home until 31 March 2027. The 5% rate applies from 1 April 2027. Ask your accountant about your own position.