Generating your own low-carbon energy can cut bills and carbon, and there’s
grant support and payment for what you export. As with any big home
improvement, the key is using certified installers and knowing your consumer
protections.
Solar panels and heat pumps
Rooftop solar panels generate electricity you can use or
store, and a heat pump is an efficient, low-carbon way to
heat your home. For heat pumps, the
Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a £7,500 grant in England and
Wales (see our
renewable-energy grants page). For any
of these, get several quotes and a clear estimate of the running costs and
savings — not just the headline price.
Getting paid for what you export
Under the Smart Export Guarantee, larger energy suppliers
must pay small-scale generators for the electricity they send back to the
grid. To qualify you generally need a certified installation and a meter that
can measure your export. Tariffs vary between suppliers, so it’s worth
comparing what they’ll pay.
Protect yourself when you buy
Renewable technology is a magnet for pushy sales tactics, so take care. Use an
installer certified under the
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) — it’s usually
required for grants and the Smart Export Guarantee — and one that belongs to a
consumer code such as RECC or HIES, which gives you extra protection. Never
sign up under pressure, and be sceptical of guaranteed “free” panels or
returns that sound too good.
What to do next
Get MCS-certified quotes, compare Smart Export Guarantee tariffs, and check
the consumer code cover. If a renewable installation has been mis-sold or done
poorly, see our Legal claims pages and the
Complaints Directory.
Sources
Ofgem (Smart Export Guarantee); GOV.UK (Boiler Upgrade Scheme); MCS; RECC.
Reviewed: 3 September 2026.