Grants particular to photo voltaic panel use are few and much between.
Nonetheless, as a part of the Authorities’s pledge to achieve net-zero by 2050, virtually £5bn has been put apart to assist UK companies grow to be greener.
There are grants and subsidies to assist companies make their present vitality utilization extra environment friendly, in addition to for warmth pump set up, the elimination of greenhouse gases and rather more.
Out there grants are always up to date, so preserve a watch out for one which applies to what you are promoting wants on the gov.uk web page, here. It’s additionally price contacting your vitality provider to see what they’ll give you.
In the event you’re in Scotland, you possibly can utilise the Energy Saving Trust to see if there may be monetary assist for set up, however one present scheme out there throughout Nice Britain is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
>See additionally: The place to search out inexperienced small enterprise grants
What’s the Sensible Export Assure?
The Sensible Export Assure allows companies to receives a commission to generate inexperienced vitality. If what you are promoting makes use of photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) panels, you possibly can generate money from Nationwide Grid suppliers for the vitality you produce and don’t use.
How does it work?
These suppliers (SEG licensees) pay you (the vitality generator) a price. Each giant licensee should supply a SEG tariff, and plenty of smaller ones do, too. These charges differ and could be mounted or variable however will all the time be above zero. They in flip export this to the Nationwide Grid.
Because the generator, what you are promoting should have a sensible meter fitted to calculate how a lot your vitality is price.
If what you are promoting has the potential to grow to be a generator, it’s price procuring round to search out essentially the most beneficial deal from licensees. You could find this 12 months’s record of licensees here.
As a aspect be aware, all installations should be in Nice Britain – there are not any tariffs for Northern Eire – and generate not more than 5MW.
Do additionally take note installers should be licensed beneath the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and licensees could request to see this earlier than providing you any money.
Regional photo voltaic panel grants
It’s additionally price keeping track of what could be out there from native councils on the subject of photo voltaic panel grants as these can come and go.
One instance was the Sustainability Enterprise Grant, by which Lincolnshire companies may get grants for the becoming of photo voltaic panels up till February 2023.
>See additionally: Methods to get a enterprise grant from the council
What are the benefits and downsides of photo voltaic panels?
Benefits
- Low vitality prices
- Capacity to receives a commission for PV era with SEG
- Much less reliance on the Nationwide Grid
- Reduces what you are promoting’s carbon footprint which could be good PR
Disadvantages
- Dependence on climate
- The preliminary set ups prices could be comparatively excessive
- You must area to accommodate the panels
What are the options to photo voltaic panels?
Companies that set up different inexperienced vitality applied sciences comparable to warmth pumps and biomass boilers can make the most of the Clear Warmth Grant, which gives up £7,000 upfront to assist with set up prices.
In the event you select to go down this route, like SEG, make sure the installer is MCS certified.
There may be additionally the Inexperienced Fuel Help Scheme, which helps with the prices of manufacturing biomethane – a greener different to fuel.
Profitable candidates obtain quarterly funds based mostly on the quantity of inexperienced vitality they supply to the Nationwide Grid (like SEG) over a interval of 15 years.
The scheme is open for purposes by companies in England, Scotland and Wales till November 2025. You possibly can apply here.
Different kinds of inexperienced vitality what you are promoting can leverage embrace offshore wind vitality and biofuels. The SEG grant additionally applies to wind generators and hydropower.
You could find extra basic inexperienced vitality schemes and grants for companies through the Ofgem website.
Extra on grants
Enterprise grants for ladies – Feminine entrepreneurs face distinctive challenges in accessing funding, which is why we’ve listed these enterprise grants for ladies
Enterprise grants in Wales – If you’re seeking to begin your individual enterprise in Wales or already run one, you may be eligible for a variety of Welsh enterprise grants
