Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any support available for homeowners to help with the installation of solar panels.
Minister for the Economy: Financial support is not currently available for homeowners who wish to install solar panels. The Windsor Framework enables the extension to the North of the VAT relief for energy saving materials that was previously available only in Britain. This means that zero rates of VAT currently apply on installation of energy-saving materials such as solar panels.
Feedback from the low carbon heat consultation in 2025 suggested that combining solar panels with a heat pump could reduce overall operating costs. This option is being considered as we take forward the development of the low carbon heat and energy efficiency support scheme in 2026.
In the meantime, households may still find solar panels or solar with battery storage, a worthwhile investment offering long-term savings, even in the absence of grant support.
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