Grants particular to photo voltaic panel use are few and much between.
Nevertheless, as a part of the Authorities’s pledge to achieve net-zero by 2050, virtually £5bn has been put apart to assist UK companies change into 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 far more.
Accessible grants are continuously up to date, so preserve an eye fixed out for one which applies to your small business wants on the gov.uk web page, right 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 Power Saving Belief to see if there may be 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 permits companies to receives a commission to generate inexperienced vitality. If your small business 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 charge. Each massive licensee should provide a SEG tariff, and plenty of smaller ones do, too. These charges range and could be fastened or variable however will at all times be above zero. They in flip export this to the Nationwide Grid.
Because the generator, your small business will need to have a sensible meter fitted to calculate how a lot your vitality is price.
If your small business has the potential to change into a generator, it’s price purchasing round to seek out essentially the most beneficial deal from licensees. You will discover this 12 months’s checklist of licensees right here.
As a facet notice, all installations have to be in Nice Britain – there are not any tariffs for Northern Eire – and generate not more than 5MW.
Do additionally consider installers have to 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, during which Lincolnshire companies may get grants for the becoming of photo voltaic panels up till February 2023.
>See additionally: The best way to get a enterprise grant from the council
What are the benefits and drawbacks of photo voltaic panels?
Benefits
- Low vitality prices
- Capability to receives a commission for PV era with SEG
- Much less reliance on the Nationwide Grid
- Reduces your small business’s carbon footprint which could be good PR
Disadvantages
- Dependence on climate
- The preliminary set ups prices could be comparatively excessive
- It is advisable to house to accommodate the panels
What are the alternate options to photo voltaic panels?
Companies that set up different inexperienced vitality applied sciences equivalent to warmth pumps and biomass boilers can reap the benefits of the Clear Warmth Grant, which offers 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’s 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 functions by companies in England, Scotland and Wales till November 2025. You’ll be able to apply right here.
Different varieties of inexperienced vitality your small business can leverage embody offshore wind vitality and biofuels. The SEG grant additionally applies to wind generators and hydropower.
You will discover extra common inexperienced vitality 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 personal enterprise in Wales or already run one, you might be eligible for a variety of Welsh enterprise grants
