Expert VerifiedSolar Equity Release Review and What You Should Know
- Last Updated: 23 Oct 2025
-
Fact Checked
Our team recently fact checked this article for accuracy. However, things do change, so please do your own research.
Contributors:
Be aware. Equity release comes with drawbacks which are important to think about. Lifetime mortgages are secured loans. Compound interest means the amount you owe can grow quickly. Equity release reduces your estate's value and may impact means-tested benefits.Key Takeaways
- Consider alternative financing options such as solar loans or government incentives.
- Explore solar leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs) for upfront cost savings.
- Look into home equity loans or lines of credit for solar installations.
- Investigate community solar programs for shared solar benefits.
- Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) and long-term savings of solar energy.
If you are looking at Solar Equity Release in the UK for home reversion plans or lifetime mortgages, you will be disappointed. If you are looking at Solar Equity Release in the UK for home reversion plans or lifetime mortgages, you will be disappointed.
Solar Equity Release used to offer lump sum payments to homeowners who would installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
In this way, clients could generate their own electricity, release cash, and enjoy the benefits of their free electricity.
In This Article, You Will Discover:
Our team at EveryInvestor is constantly on the lookout for new and innovative products in the equity release space to benefit our readers.
Therefore:
NOTE: EveryInvestor is an impartial and unconnected third-party information provider via this website, and the details replicated in this commentary represent the opinions of EveryInvestor only and may not reflect the views or opinions of Solar Equity Release. This article must not be interpreted as advice, nor is it a solicitation to conduct transactions in any financial product provided by Solar Equity Release.
What Is Solar Equity Release?
Solar equity release, also called solar buyback, is a way to benefit from the government's Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme by receiving a lump sum instead of instalments.
A private company could offer to take over your FiT contract in exchange for an upfront lump sum.
However:
The FiT scheme closed to new applicants in 2018, so you will not be able to benefit from this incentive unless the scheme is reopened at some point.1
What Are Solar Equity Release Products?
Equity release offers a financial solution for homeowners aged 55 and older, allowing them to access cash from their home's value through equity release products.
It provides a method to release funds tied up in your property.
The repayment of this loan is uniquely structured; it's settled from the property's sale, typically after the owner's death or when they move into a care facility, ensuring no immediate financial burden.
How Does Solar Energy Buyback Impact Your Financial Benefits in Solar Equity Release?
Solar energy buyback significantly enhances your financial benefits by reducing your energy bills and potentially increasing your home's value.
When you generate surplus solar power, selling it back to the grid provides you with additional income.
This income can offset the costs of your equity release plan, making it a financially savvy choice.
How Does the Solar Equity Release Process Work in the UK?
It begins with a homeowner who owns a solar panel system outright, engaging a solar equity release company.
They would conduct a detailed review of the system, its output efficiency, and the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments it generates.
The company then provides a lump sum payment to the homeowner, in return for the rights to the future FiT payments.
The homeowner continues to benefit from free electricity generated by the solar system and maintains responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the panels.
The solar equity release provides the homeowner with a tax-free, immediate cash lump sum, while the company profits from the future Feed-in Tariff payments.
This process ensures a win-win situation for all parties, enhancing the economic viability of solar energy in the UK.
What Are the Specific Benefits of Regional Solar Equity Release Schemes Like Solar Funding Halifax?
Regional solar equity release schemes, such as Solar Funding Halifax, offer tailored benefits including local grants and incentives.
These schemes are designed to align with regional solar potential and housing market trends, maximizing your financial returns.
They also often come with personalized advice and support, making solar installations and equity release smoother and more beneficial for you.
Why Consider Solar Equity Release?
You may have considered Solar Equity Release if you had installed a solar PV system before April 2019, when the FiT scheme closed to new applicants.3
This kind of solar buyback arrangement may have enabled you to receive a portion of your FiT payments as a lump sum instead of instalments.
What Services Were Offered by Solar Equity Release?
Solar Equity Release provided clients with a payout in the form of an upfront lump sum.
In return, clients signed over the rights to their Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments, but would still own their solar panels.
Solar Equity Release also offered to maintain and monitor clients' solar PV systems for free during their FiT period.
No lease would have been registered over a client's property or the airspace above their home.
Which Solar Equity Release Provider Offers the Best Value: A Comparative Analysis
Identifying the best solar equity release provider requires examining their interest rates, fees, and customer service.
Providers who offer competitive rates, transparent fee structures, and robust customer support stand out as the most valuable.
It's essential to compare these factors alongside the provider's experience with solar installations to ensure you choose the one that best suits your financial and energy goals.
Did Solar Equity Offer Both Equity Release and Lifetime Mortgages?
Solar Equity Release offered a form of equity release; however, this arrangement applied to clients' solar PV systems and not to their homes.
What Were the Scheme Features of Solar Equity Release?
Solar Equity Release's scheme features are moot now, as the company is no longer trading.
However, if you would like to know what the company offered, here is the information:
- You retained ownership of your system.
- You received a lump sum in exchange for your FiT payouts.
- Solar Equity Release maintained and monitored your system for free, reducing your long-term costs.
- You could benefit from cheap electricity while still owning your installed system.
- No lease was registered on your property or airspace.
What Were Solar Equity Release’s Interest Rates?
Solar Equity Release was not an equity release provider, and so did not charge interest on loans.
Was There a Solar Equity Release Calculator Available?
Solar Equity Release did have a calculator to value your system on its website; however, as the company is no longer trading, this tool is not available anymore.
If you are looking for an equity release mortgage calculator, why not try our calculator below and see approximately how much you could borrow against your home as opposed to your PV system!
How Can You Maximize Benefits Using Solar Equity Release Calculators?
By using solar equity release calculators, you can precisely estimate the financial outcomes of your plan.
Inputting details about your solar installation size, anticipated energy production, and current energy costs allows the calculator to project potential savings and earnings.
This tool helps you to tailor your solar equity release plan for maximum financial benefit.
What Were the Advantages of Using Solar Equity Release?
The advantages of using Solar Equity Release include retaining ownership of your PV system.
This plan is not available now, but here is more detail on the benefits that were involved:
- You sold the value of your FiT rights in exchange for a lump sum.
- You retained ownership of your solar PV system.
- Monitoring and maintenance were free for the duration of your FiT contract.
- The contract was easy to understand and did not require a lease agreement.
- You kept the free electricity your system generated.
What Were the Disadvantages of Solar Equity Release?
The disadvantages of using Solar Equity Release included the fact that you were locked into a contract for the duration of your FiT period.
Even though this option is not available anymore, here is more on the drawbacks:
- You sold your rights to your FiT, meaning you could not benefit from future payments.
- The lump sum you received would almost certainly be less than the cumulative payments you could have received instead.
- You would be locked into a contract for the duration of your FiT period.
- Solar Equity Release was not regulated.
How Was the Information on Solar Equity Release Reviewed?
We reviewed the information on Solar Equity Release by gathering facts about its services and offers, researching what it stands for, and combining it all in this article.
What Do Customer Reviews Say About Solar Equity?
Solar Equity Release has been discussed by consumers online.
Look here:
What Are the Regulatory Details of Solar Equity Release?
Solar Equity Release was not authorised and regulated in the UK by the FCA, as the company was not a financial institution.
What Is the Company Registration Number for Solar Equity Release?
- Companies House Number: 10006098
Where Is the Companies House Link for Solar Equity Release?
- Companies House Link: Companies House Link
Solar Equity Release Contact Details
Solar Equity Release's contact details are no longer active as the company has ceased trading.
These details were:
- +44 203 367 1681
- info@solarequityrelease.co.uk
- Albert House, 256-260, Old Street, London, EC1V 9DD.
What Recent Regulatory Changes Affect Solar Equity Release and Solar Installations?
Recent regulatory changes have made solar equity release and installations more appealing.
Updated government incentives for solar installations and changes in equity release guidelines now favor homeowners looking to invest in solar energy.
Staying informed on these changes ensures you can make the most of your solar equity release plan, benefiting from the latest incentives and regulations.
Common Questions
Solar equity release is a financial product that allows homeowners over 65 to unlock the equity tied up in their property by installing solar panels.
The panels generate energy, which is sold back to the grid, providing the homeowner with a steady income stream.
The income received from the solar panels helps to offset the cost of the equity release loan, allowing homeowners to access the value of their home without having to sell it.
Solar equity release can be a good idea for homeowners over 65 who are looking to supplement their retirement income and want to benefit from renewable energy sources.
It allows them to generate income from their property without having to sell it, providing financial stability and supporting their retirement finances.
However, it’s important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of the equity release product and seek independent advice to ensure it aligns with your specific needs and circumstances.
Solar equity release can benefit your retirement finances by providing a regular income stream from the energy generated by the solar panels.
This income can help supplement your pension or savings, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable retirement.
Additionally, by generating renewable energy, you can reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources, potentially lowering your energy bills and saving money in the long run.
The pros of solar equity release include accessing the value of your property without selling it, generating a steady income stream, and contributing to a greener future.
However, there are cons to consider too. These include the potential impact on inheritance, the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of the solar panels, and the restrictions and conditions that come with the equity release product.
It’s important to weigh these factors and seek professional advice to make an informed decision.
To apply for solar equity release in the UK, you can start by researching and comparing different equity release providers who offer solar equity release products.
Once you’ve identified a suitable provider, you will typically need to go through a financial assessment to determine your eligibility and the amount you can release.
It’s advisable to seek independent advice from a qualified equity release specialist to guide you through the application process and ensure you make the right choice for your retirement finances.
No, Solar Equity Release was not a member of the Equity Release Council as the company did not provide equity release mortgages.
Solar Equity Release was a private company.
Solar Equity Release is not trading anymore and thus cannot offer employment.
Solar Equity Release did not do equity release in the form of lifetime mortgages or home reversion plans. It did, however, allow you to take your solar PV systems FiT incentives as a lump sum.
Yes, equity release is possible with solar panels, but lenders may review ownership and impact on property value. Consulting a financial advisor is advised.
Concluding Thoughts on Solar Equity Release
Solar Equity Release could have been an option for homeowners who had installed solar PV systems before April 2019.
As the government's FiT scheme is not open anymore, Solar Equity Release cannot be used to benefit from solar incentives now.
The features mentioned and the amounts raised, are subject to the lender’s criteria, terms and conditions. These may take into account the age, health and lifestyle factors in order to provide an enhanced amount. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.
- Personalised Guidance: Speak with a friendly UK expert.Friendly Support: Speak with a UK expert.
- No Pressure: Ask anything, with zero obligation.
- Save Time: Get clear answers, skip the confusion.
- Peace of Mind: Know if equity release is right for you.Peace of Mind: Know if it's right.
100% private. No pressure. Just friendly guidance.
Trusted by Over 5,000 UK Homeowners- Free & No ObligationNo Obligations
- Clear, Honest AdviceHonest Advice
- UK-Based Experts
