Yes, solar panels do improve your EPC rating. How many points they add depends on the property, and for a D-rated rental near the top of its band they can help lift it into Band C. Band D is currently legal to let (the minimum standard is E, in force since 1 April 2020). The government has proposed a Band C requirement from 1 October 2030, which is not yet law.
How Solar Panels Improve Your EPC Rating
EPC ratings are calculated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), a scoring system that translates into bands A to G. Solar PV panels improve your SAP score in two ways: they reduce the property's reliance on grid electricity (lowering carbon emissions) and the electricity they generate on site lowers the property's modelled energy cost, which is what the current rating is built on.
SAP points explained
A higher SAP score = a better EPC band. Here are the band thresholds:
| EPC Band | SAP Score Range |
|---|---|
| A | 92 and above |
| B | 81–91 |
| C | 69–80 |
| D | 55–68 |
| E | 39–54 |
| F | 21–38 |
| G | 1–20 |
To let a property today you need band E, a SAP score of at least 39. To reach band C, whether because you want to or because the proposed 2030 standard eventually lands, you need at least 69.
How many points does solar add?
No primary source publishes a typical SAP gain for solar PV, so we do not quote one. The assessor models the gain when they issue the new certificate, and it varies with:
- System size (kW capacity)
- Roof orientation and shading
- Property size and baseline energy consumption
- Whether a battery storage system is included
A south-facing roof with minimal shading is the optimal scenario. East/west-facing installations still add points, but generally fewer.
Generic figures only get you so far, though. You can model the points a solar array would add to your rating alongside the measures the property already has, rather than working from an average.
Can Solar Get You from EPC D to C?
Sometimes, for a home near the top of band D. Band D runs from SAP 55 to 68 and band C starts at 69, so a D-rated home at SAP 65 needs 4 more points. For some D-rated properties, solar may be enough to close that gap. E, F and G-rated homes usually need insulation and heating work first.
Band D runs from SAP 55 to 68. Band C starts at 69. A D-rated property sitting at SAP 65 needs just 4 more points to cross into C territory. Whether an array delivers them depends on the property, so have the assessor model it before you commit.
D-rated properties are where solar is most worth modelling. Band D covers 39.1% of the 3.5 million privately rented homes in England and Wales (EPCGuide's analysis of the domestic EPC register for England and Wales, 30.4 million certificates covering 20.4 million homes), and for some of those properties solar may be the finishing move.
For properties with a lower SAP score (E, F, or G), solar alone is unlikely to be sufficient. You'll need to address insulation and heating systems first, then layer solar on top. See our EPC D to C upgrade guide for a full step-by-step approach.
How Solar Compares to Other EPC Improvements
Solar PV is one of several measures landlords use to raise a property's SAP score. The table below shows where it sits relative to the most common alternatives. Costs are from the sample EPC in GOV.UK's landlord guidance (indicative); that guidance has no figure for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation or smart heating controls.
| EPC improvement | Indicative cost (GOV.UK sample EPC) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Cavity wall insulation | No GOV.UK figure | Properties with unfilled cavities |
| Loft insulation (to 270mm) | No GOV.UK figure | Properties with thin existing loft insulation |
| Solar PV | £5,000 to £8,000 | D-rated properties close to the Band C threshold |
| Smart heating controls | No GOV.UK figure | Gas-heated homes without a room thermostat or programmer |
| Low energy lighting throughout | £20 | Any property |
Solar PV is one of the dearer measures on that sample, so it makes most sense once the fabric of the building is already in reasonable shape, which is why D-rated properties with modern insulation already fitted are the solar sweet spot.
For most E and F-rated properties, the right sequence is: insulation first, heating controls second, solar third. Running it in reverse order risks spending on a system before the cheaper measures have been tried.
SAP gains vary by property size, specification, and assessor methodology, and no primary source publishes a generic gain per measure. For indicative costs on other measures, use our cost calculator, which shows the GOV.UK sample EPC figure where one exists and labels every other figure as our own assumption.
Solar Panels and the Future EPC System (HEM)
This is where solar becomes even more strategically important, and where most landlords are unaware of what's coming.
The government plans to replace the current RdSAP 10 methodology with the Home Energy Model (HEM), a new scoring framework that places much greater weight on renewable energy and low-carbon heating. Following the March 2026 outcome update, the launch of reformed EPCs has been delayed to H2 2027. 1 October 2029 matters for a different reason, covered below: it is the cut-off for the proposed rule on existing certificates.
Under the government's decided design (policy, not yet law), a landlord first meets a fabric performance standard, then a second standard set against either the smart readiness metric or the heating system metric, at the landlord's choice. Solar panels are an example of a smart measure; a heat pump is the heating-system route. The new methodology prioritises:
- Low-carbon heating (heat pumps)
- Renewable electricity generation (solar panels)
- Smart readiness (battery storage, smart meters)
Existing certificates are treated more kindly. Under the government's decided policy (not yet law), a rental graded C or above on the current Energy Efficiency Rating on an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 would count as compliant with the higher standard until that EPC expires or is replaced. A rental without that by 1 October 2029 would need to meet the standard on the new metrics.
Solar panels are one of the few improvements that deliver EPC points under both the current system (RdSAP) and the new one (HEM). Installing solar now is a reasonable hedge. No band C rule is in force today, but if the proposed rules arrive as described, spend from 1 October 2025 on measures recommended on your EPC would count towards the proposed £10,000 cost cap, and solar aligns with where the system is heading. For more on whether to act now or wait, see our HEM delay decision guide.
What Does Solar Cost, and What Grants Are Available?
Cost depends on system size and the property. The main incentives are 0% VAT on home solar installations until 31 March 2027, Smart Export Guarantee payments for electricity exported to the grid, and ECO4 in narrow cases for qualifying tenants until it ends on 31 December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not cover solar panels.
Installation costs
The sample EPC in GOV.UK's landlord guidance lists solar photovoltaic panels at £5,000 to £8,000 (indicative). It does not state a system size. For indicative costs, use our cost calculator, which shows the GOV.UK sample EPC figure where one exists and labels every other figure as our own assumption. These figures are before any incentives.
Available incentives
0% VAT, Solar panel installations in homes carry 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, and HMRC's VAT Notice 708/6 says the rate reverts to 5% from 1 April 2027. On a system priced like the GOV.UK sample EPC's £5,000 to £8,000 (indicative), that is a significant saving.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), Any electricity your panels generate but your tenant doesn't use gets exported to the grid. You (or your tenant, depending on lease terms) receive export payments from an Ofgem-licensed SEG tariff. Rates vary by provider.
ECO4, If your rental property is rated E, F or G and has a tenant claiming qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, income-based JSA, ESA, Pension Credit, child benefits in low-income households), ECO4 can fund solar PV only in narrow cases: the home needs a heat pump, high heat retention storage heaters or efficient electric heating, and the package must include at least one qualifying measure such as solid wall insulation, first-time central heating or renewable heating. A gas-heated, D-rated rental will not qualify. ECO4 is currently scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, if your property and tenants qualify, this window is closing. See our ECO4 landlord guide for eligibility details.
Note: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) does not cover solar panels. It funds heat pumps and biomass boilers: £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump and £5,000 towards a biomass boiler, with an extra £1,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump in oil or LPG heated homes with no mains gas connection, until March 2027. Some landlords pair a heat pump with solar panels, but only the heat pump attracts the grant.
Is Solar the Right EPC Measure for Your Property?
Solar works best on a D-rated property with a south or southwest-facing, unshaded roof, where loft insulation and double glazing are already in place. It is a poor first move for E, F or G-rated homes, where insulation must come first. In leasehold flats, roof access and freeholder consent can be significant barriers, and shaded or north-facing roofs gain less.
Solar is not the right first move for every property. Here's a quick assessment framework:
Solar works best when:
- The property is D-rated (small gap to close)
- The roof is south- or southwest-facing with minimal shading
- The landlord intends to hold the property beyond 2030
- Other basic measures (loft insulation, double glazing) are already in place
Solar alone may not be enough when:
- The property is E, F, or G-rated (insulation must come first)
- It's a leasehold flat, roof access and freeholder consent can be significant barriers
- The roof is significantly shaded or north-facing
Stacking measures for maximum SAP impact
For properties close to the D/C boundary, solar combined with other measures is a sensible path:
- LED lighting throughout, a low-cost measure (the sample EPC lists low energy lighting at £20)
- Smart heating controls
- Solar PV, which the sample EPC lists at £5,000 to £8,000 (indicative)
The cheaper measures first, then solar, is the sensible path for D-rated homes near the top of the band. Have the assessor model the combined result before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels automatically update my EPC?
No. Installing solar panels does not update your EPC certificate automatically. You need to commission a new EPC assessment from an accredited energy assessor after the installation is complete. The assessor will input the solar system specifications into the SAP calculation and issue an updated certificate. Assessor fees vary, so get quotes.
Can I get solar panels on a leasehold flat?
This is complex. Most leasehold flats do not give individual lessees the right to install solar panels on the roof, that typically requires freeholder consent, which may involve a service charge process or an application to all leaseholders. If you own a leasehold flat and want to explore solar, your first step is reviewing your lease and contacting the freeholder or managing agent. In some purpose-built blocks, communal solar installations are being considered as a collective measure. See our EPC leasehold flat guide for more on the challenges facing flat landlords.
Does solar installation cost count toward the MEES cost cap?
Be careful here, because two different figures get mixed up. The cost cap in force today is £3,500 including VAT per property, and it applies to reaching the band E minimum. Solar PV is a qualifying improvement, but the sample EPC in GOV.UK's landlord guidance lists solar photovoltaic panels at £5,000 to £8,000 (indicative), which exceeds the whole of the current cap on its own.
The £10,000 cap, and the rule that landlord spend counts from 1 October 2025, belong to the government's proposed band C reforms. Neither has been legislated, so do not plan on the basis that spending today is already banked against a £10,000 allowance. Keep your invoices regardless: if the reforms arrive in the form proposed, that record is what you would rely on.
Is solar thermal the same as solar PV for EPC purposes?
No. Solar thermal panels heat water using sunlight; solar PV panels generate electricity. Under the SAP methodology, they are assessed differently. Solar thermal only affects the domestic hot water calculation, while solar PV offsets the property's electricity consumption. The sample EPC in GOV.UK's landlord guidance lists solar water heating at £4,000 to £6,000 and solar photovoltaic panels at £5,000 to £8,000 (indicative). Check which your EPC recommends. Make sure your installer and assessor are clear on which system you have.
Will my EPC C still be valid after the Home Energy Model launches?
Yes, certificates remain valid for 10 years under current rules. Under the government's decided policy (not yet law), if the band C standard is legislated, a certificate showing C or higher on today's rating and issued before 1 October 2029 would count as compliant until it expires or is replaced. Reformed EPCs are now planned for the second half of 2027, and a C earned after 1 October 2029 would be judged on the new metrics. Solar is one of the measures HEM rewards most, which makes it a low-regret choice either way.
Next Steps
If your rental property is D-rated, solar panels can be a direct route to band C for a home near the top of the band, and one of the few measures that pays off under both the current methodology and the one replacing it. To get quotes from MCS-accredited installers:
Get solar panel quotes for your rental property →
You can also use our EPC cost estimator to model the full upgrade cost for your property type and current rating before committing to any single measure.