Is a free government solar panel scheme cold call legitimate?
Usually not. Cold calls about free solar panels through a government scheme are frequently sales calls or scams harvesting your personal data and a deposit.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Government schemes that subsidise renewable energy improvements do exist, but they are administered through registered installers and housing authorities — not through cold calls promising free panels for qualifying homes. Callers who claim you qualify for a grant typically want to book a surveyor visit, collect personal details for 'eligibility checks', or ask for a small deposit or admin fee. Genuine schemes are found on the official government energy efficiency website and do not require you to act on a cold call. Independent tradespeople cold-calling about free government schemes may also upsell costly 'top-up' products or install substandard equipment.
The surveyor visit is where the pressure really starts. Once inside your home, a salesperson can spend hours walking through projected savings, subsidy deadlines, and financing paperwork until signing feels easier than refusing. Deposits taken at the door are difficult to recover, and finance agreements signed in haste can commit you to years of payments for equipment that underperforms the promises.
Genuine schemes do not need to find you by phone. If solar or insulation interests you, start from the official government energy-efficiency site, obtain independent quotes from certified installers, and check each firm's accreditation and complaint history yourself. Any offer that cannot wait for that process was not worth having.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming you qualify for a free government scheme
- Caller asks for personal details including address and income
- Booking fee or survey deposit requested
- Urgency — deadline to apply or scheme ends soon
- Caller cannot name the specific government scheme or provide its registration
What to do now
- Check current government energy efficiency schemes on the official government website
- Do not provide personal details or pay any fee to a cold caller
- Register with your national do-not-call list to reduce cold calls
- Report misleading callers to your consumer protection authority
Frequently asked questions
Is a company with an official-sounding name making this call trustworthy?
Company names are easy to register. Always verify through the official government scheme portal and check the installer's certification on the relevant regulatory body's register.
I already gave a cold caller my details — what should I expect?
Expect follow-up calls, and possibly contact from other firms if your details are sold on as leads. Decline politely, do not confirm further information, and report persistent or misleading callers to your consumer protection authority.