Welsh Homeowners Ahead of England as Energy Bills Set to Rise

Solar panels installed on a Welsh home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Swansea, Wales – 1 June 2026 – Welsh homeowners are already able to access government-backed finance for solar panels and other green home improvements, while households in England are still waiting for the launch of similar support promised under the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan.

The Warm Homes Plan, announced in January 2026, includes proposals for government-backed low-interest and interest-free loans to help households invest in energy-saving technologies such as solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation. However, the new finance scheme has not yet been launched.

In contrast, Welsh homeowners can already access support through Welsh Government-backed initiatives including the Green Homes Wales scheme and the Nest Warm Homes programme.

Green Homes Wales has been designed to help homeowners access finance for a range of low-carbon technologies and home energy improvements, including solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation. Unlike many traditional energy-efficiency support schemes, which are often targeted at households on lower incomes or those receiving benefits, Green Homes Wales is available to a much broader range of homeowners.

The Welsh Government announced in March more than £5 million of additional funding for Green Homes Wales in 2026-27 following strong demand for the scheme. The funding expansion will help more households access interest-free loans and expert retrofit support to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The comparison comes as households prepare for another significant rise in energy costs. According to Ofgem, the energy price cap will increase by 13% from July, adding £221 a year to the bill of a typical household and taking annual energy costs to £1,862.

The increase follows rising wholesale energy costs linked to disruption in global energy markets including the war on Iran. Millions of households on variable tariffs across England, Scotland and Wales will be affected, with analysts warning further increases could be possible if market pressures continue.

Homeowners also currently benefit from a 0% VAT rate on qualifying energy-saving home improvements, including solar panel installations and battery storage systems. The relief is scheduled to remain in place until March 2027, creating a limited window for households considering investing in renewable energy.

Ian Mach, Director of Ulex Energy, said:

"With energy bills set to rise again this summer, now is a good time for homeowners to review whether solar could be right for them.

"Many people assume support for green home improvements is only available to households on benefits or lower incomes. However, schemes such as Green Homes Wales have been designed to help a much wider range of homeowners access finance for technologies such as solar panels and battery storage.

"At the same time, the government-backed loan scheme promised under the Warm Homes Plan has yet to launch, while Welsh homeowners already have options available today."

Based in Swansea, Ulex Energy provides solar PV, battery storage and renewable energy solutions across South Wales, helping homeowners reduce energy bills and take greater control of their energy use. The company was a finalist in the Regional PV Installer and Contractor of the Year category at the Wales Energy Efficiency Awards 2026.

ENDS

For media enquiries:

Ian Mach

Ulex Energy

07356 070048

ian@ulexenergy.co.uk

www.ulexenergy.co.uk