Private landlords in England and Wales must meet a higher energy standard by 1 October 2030. Solar panels are named by the government as one route to part of it.
In January 2026 the government (DESNZ) published its response to the consultation “Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes” on gov.uk. It confirmed that private landlords of all tenancies in England and Wales must meet a higher minimum standard, equivalent to EPC C, by 1 October 2030.
There will be no earlier date for new tenancies. Until 2030, the existing minimum of EPC E continues to apply. The government aims to lay the regulations so they come into force in 2027.
The standard is measured against new metrics on reformed EPCs, not just the single A to G energy rating used today. A rented home must meet a primary standard on fabric performance, which covers things like insulation, and a secondary standard.
For the secondary standard the landlord can choose: meet the smart readiness metric, or meet the heating system metric. The government response names solar panels as an example of a smart measure, and a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme as the heating route. It says landlords will not be required to replace a working heating system with a heat pump.
Landlords are required to invest up to £10,000 per property over a 10-year period. The cost of the EPCs needed to show compliance counts towards the cap. The government's impact assessment estimates average spend per property at £5,400, taking the cap into account.
If a property still does not meet the standard after £10,000 has been spent on relevant improvements, the landlord can register an exemption valid for 10 years and keep letting the property.
Rented homes that score C or higher on the energy efficiency rating of an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 will be treated as compliant until that EPC expires or is replaced. A landlord whose property is close to C may want to act, and get a new certificate, before that date.
Solar panels count towards the smart readiness route, not the fabric standard. So for most rented homes, solar is part of the answer alongside insulation work, not a replacement for it.
Who benefits from the electricity also matters. In most lets the tenant pays the electricity bill, so the tenant gets the bill saving from panels. Agree in writing who will receive any Smart Export Guarantee payments before the panels go in.
Use our calculator to see a fitted price for the property, then weigh that against the £10,000 cap and the insulation work the fabric standard may need.
These rules are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own standards for rented homes.