Since April 2022, qualifying home solar and battery installs have carried 0% VAT in Great Britain. Northern Ireland followed in May 2023. From 1 April 2027, that's set to revert to the 5% rate it had before, so the 0% window is a real, dated saving.
What's covered today?
The 0% rate applies to qualifying energy-saving materials fitted in homes. That means solar panels, and since 1 February 2024, standalone batteries too. It covers both the kit and the labour, as long as one firm supplies and fits it. Buying the equipment alone and fitting it yourself doesn't qualify.
Why does the deadline matter?
Unless the government extends it, installs finished from 1 April 2027 carry the 5% reduced rate again, not 0%. On a typical £7,000 (ex-VAT) system, that's about £350 more, and on a £12,000 solar-plus-battery job, it's about £600 more. That's not a fortune, but it's real money. Installer diaries tend to fill up before deadlines like this, so plan, quote, and install well before the date.
The quick version
- 0% VAT on qualifying solar and batteries is set to end 31 March 2027.
- From 1 April 2027 it returns to the 5% reduced rate, not 20%.
- That's roughly £350 more on a typical £7,000 system, so plan early.