Grants particular to photo voltaic panel use are few and much between. Nonetheless, as a part of the Authorities’s pledge to achieve web zero by 2050, nearly £5bn has been put apart to assist UK companies grow to be greener.
There are grants and subsidies to assist companies make their present power utilization extra environment friendly, in addition to for warmth pump set up, the elimination of greenhouse gases and far more.
Out there grants are always up to date, so hold a watch out for one which applies to what you are promoting wants on the gov.uk web page right here. It’s additionally price contacting your power provider to see what they will give you.
In the event you’re in Scotland, you may utilise the Power Saving Belief to see if there’s monetary assist for set up, however one present scheme out there throughout Nice Britain is the Sensible Export Assure (SEG).
>See additionally: The place to seek out inexperienced small enterprise grants
What’s the Sensible Export Assure?
The Sensible Export Assure allows companies to receives a commission to generate inexperienced power. If what you are promoting makes use of photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) panels, you may generate money from Nationwide Grid suppliers for the power you produce and don’t use.
How does it work?
These suppliers (SEG licensees) pay you (the power generator) a charge. Each giant licensee should supply a SEG tariff, and plenty of smaller ones do, too. These charges range and will be fastened 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 wise meter fitted to calculate how a lot your power is price.
If what you are promoting has the potential to grow to be a generator, it’s price buying round to seek out essentially the most beneficial deal from licensees. You will discover this yr’s record of licensees right here.
As a facet be aware, all installations have to be in Nice Britain – there aren’t any tariffs for Northern Eire – and generate not more than 5MW.
Do additionally be mindful installers have to be licensed underneath the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and licensees might request to see this earlier than providing you any money.
Regional photo voltaic panel grants
It’s additionally price maintaining a tally of what will 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, through which Lincolnshire companies might get grants for the becoming of photo voltaic panels up till February 2023.
>See additionally: Find out how to get a enterprise grant from the council
What are the benefits and downsides of photo voltaic panels?
Benefits
- Low power 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 will be good PR
Disadvantages
- Dependence on climate
- The preliminary setup prices will be comparatively excessive
- It’s essential area to deal with the panels
What are the alternate options to photo voltaic panels?
Companies that set up different inexperienced power applied sciences equivalent to warmth pumps and biomass boilers can reap the benefits of the Clear Warmth Grant, which supplies as much as £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-qualified.
There’s additionally the Inexperienced Gasoline Assist Scheme, which helps with the prices of manufacturing biomethane – a greener different to fuel.
Profitable candidates obtain quarterly funds primarily based on the quantity of inexperienced power 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 may apply right here.
Different sorts of inexperienced power what you are promoting can leverage embrace offshore wind power and biofuels. The SEG grant additionally applies to wind generators and hydropower.
You will discover extra common inexperienced power schemes and grants for companies by way of the Ofgem web site.
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 trying to begin your individual enterprise in Wales or already run one, you would be eligible for a spread of Welsh enterprise grants
