Solar Panel Grant

Are You Eligible for a Solar Panel Grant?

The Government has set some ambitious targets for increasing the number of homes using some form of solar electricity or solar water heating by 2020. In order to help boost the numbers, until the middle of 2010, there are solar panel grants available to help to offset the cost of solar panel installation.

The Low Carbon Buildings Scheme

The Low Carbon Buildings scheme provides solar panel grants to private home owners and to the public sector as well.

Homeowners

Home owners can apply for a solar panel grant for:-

• Photovoltaic solar panels - homeowners can apply for up to £2500 or 50% of the total cost of the installation (whichever amount is the lowest).
• Solar thermal systems - homeowners can apply for up to £400 or 30% of the total costs of the installation (whichever is the lowest).

Public Sector

• The public sector grant for solar panels through the Low Carbon Buildings scheme is 50% of the total cost of the solar panel installation, up to a maximum grant of £200000.

With the introduction of the feed in tariff in April 2010, the grants are soon to be stopped. This means that the maximum return on investment of any home solar panel installation will come from those purchased before April 2010.

Our fully trained staff can advise you on the application and eligibility criteria for various solar panel grants.

Grant for Improving Your Resource Efficiency

The Northwest Regional Development Agency offers the Grant for Improving Your Resource Efficiency. This grant is offered to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the North West of England. This solar panel grant is for up to 50% of the total cost of your solar panel installation. Owing to European funding rules, SMEs operating in the following sectors will be ineligible:

• Those covered by EC sector restrictions: These include the production of synthetic fibres, textiles and clothing, shipbuilding, coal and steel, agriculture and Annex 1 food processing.
• Banks and insurance companies.
• Establishments providing generalised (school age) education.
• Provision of local social welfare facilities, for example hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations, day nurseries, child-minding facilities, sports facilities, parks, public libraries.

Any other SMEs can apply for funding online and will receive a decision within 30 days. Anyone who is successful in their application will be able to use this solar panel grant to contribute to the cost of solar panel equipment and the costs of the installation.

National Lottery Solar Panel Grant for Non-Profit Organisations

The National Lottery offers a 50% grant to non-profit organisations for solar panel installation. The grants are offered through the Big Lottery Fund, the body charged with awarding grants on behalf of the National Lottery.

Salix Financial Solar Panel Installation Grants

Salix Financial offer grants of up to 50% of the cost of solar panel equipment and installation to the public sector. The grants are designed to make non-renewable energy generation more attainable for the public sector and have already helped housing associations and higher education institutions nationwide.

Solar Panel Grant Information

The Solar Choice staff are well informed about various solar panel grants available to individuals and businesses and will be able to advise you of any financial assistance you may be eligible for.