The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme provides cash to eligible households looking to create more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.

Scots were able to apply for loans and grants worth thousands of pounds to help instal solar panel systems.

But that part of the scheme has been limited and now funding for solar panels will only be given out as part of a package including other energy systems.

A post on Home Energy Scotland’s website reads: “From Tuesday, June 27 funding for solar PV and energy storage systems will only be available as part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.

“As a result, applications for solar PV and/or energy storage systems only will no longer be eligible.

“This change is necessary to ensure that the scheme stays within its allocated budget and that available funding is targeted at installations which will maximise decarbonisation of heat or reduce heat demand.”

Zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie told The Herald there had been a “substantial increase in the number of applications received” for solar PV and batteries, “the majority of which are not installed alongside a zero emissions heating system and therefore do not contribute directly to decarbonisation of heat in homes”.

Mr Harvie said: “A solar PV system and battery storage system would not support a household reducing demand for gas if it is installed in a home heated by a gas boiler.

“Solar PV and energy storage can reduce overall energy bills for consumers with other forms of heating such as oil and gas, but they do not specifically contribute to reducing the energy required to heat homes.”

He added: “Recently, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of applications received to the scheme.

“Much of this rise has been driven by a surge in applications for solar PV and energy storage systems, the majority of which are not installed alongside a zero emissions heating system and therefore do not contribute directly to decarbonisation of heat in homes.

“So we have reviewed funding to ensure that we are focusing finite public funding in the ways which best support the heat in buildings strategy aims.

“Solar PV and energy storage systems will continue to be funded through the scheme, but only where installed alongside a certified renewable heating measure, such as a heat pump, or where there is already one in place.

“As such, funding is being targeted at measures which will have the biggest impact on reducing emissions from heating homes.”

Scottish Conservative MSP, Liam Kerr, said: “Cutting funding for solar power flies in the face of Patrick Harvie’s rhetoric on increasing the use of renewable sources of energy in Scotland

“Serious questions must be answered by the Green minister as to why such a crucial change to this scheme was carried out without any consultation and announced without any fanfare.”

He added: “It is little wonder that Patrick Harvie failed to be upfront about this.

“At a time when he’s about to stop people from selling their homes for failing to replace their gas boilers, he’s swinging the axe on solar power schemes.

“Yet again, his rhetoric simply doesn’t meet the reality and homeowners are paying the price for his failing policies.”