Is a cold call about government solar panel grants available for my home legitimate?
Almost never. Solar grant cold calls are typically lead generation for pushy salespeople or outright fraud collecting deposits for undelivered installations.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Cold callers claim to represent government-backed solar or insulation grant schemes, visit your home to conduct a fake survey, and then use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign up for an installation requiring a deposit or finance agreement. In some cases, installations are done poorly or not at all, and poor-quality equipment is used. Genuine government energy efficiency schemes — such as the Great British Insulation Scheme or the ECO scheme in the UK — are applied for through your energy supplier or local authority, not through inbound cold calls. If you are interested in solar panels, go directly to your local authority or energy provider's website, or use a vetted installer from a scheme such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Common red flags
- Call claims government funding is available specifically for you right now
- Caller asks to visit your home for a free survey but then sells products on the visit
- Deposit required before any written quote or contract is provided
- Installer is not registered with a recognised installation quality scheme
- Offer is conditional on signing up on the day of the visit
What to do now
- Do not pay a deposit to a cold-call solar company
- Research genuine schemes through your energy provider or local authority
- Verify any installer against the Microgeneration Certification Scheme or equivalent
- Report aggressive or misleading sales practices to your consumer protection authority
Frequently asked questions
Are there legitimate solar panel grant schemes?
Yes, but they are accessed through official channels — your energy provider, local council, or the government website — not through inbound cold calls. Always initiate the contact yourself through official sources.