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, 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 power utilization extra environment friendly in 2026, in addition to for warmth pump set up, the elimination of greenhouse gases and rather more.
Accessible grants are always up to date, so preserve an eye fixed out for one which applies to your online business wants on the gov.uk web page right here. It’s additionally price contacting your power provider to see what they’ll give you.
The Industrial Vitality Transformation Fund is managed by the Division for Vitality Safety and Internet Zero in England, Wales and Northern Eire. In case your web site is predicated in Scotland there’s a separate scheme. Nonetheless, one present scheme obtainable throughout Nice Britain is the Sensible Export Assure (SEG).
>See additionally: The place to search out inexperienced small enterprise grants
What’s the Sensible Export Assure?
The Sensible Export Assure permits companies to receives a commission to generate inexperienced power. If your online business makes use of photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) panels, you’ll be able to 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 lots of smaller ones do, too. These charges differ and might be fastened or variable however will all the time be above zero. They in flip export this to the Nationwide Grid.
Because the generator, your online business should have a sensible meter fitted to calculate how a lot your power is price.
If your online business has the potential to grow to be a generator, it’s price procuring round to search out essentially the most beneficial deal from licensees. Yow will discover this 12 months’s listing of licensees right here.
As a aspect be aware, all installations should be in Nice Britain – there aren’t any tariffs for Northern Eire – and generate not more than 5MW.
Do additionally take into accout installers should be licensed beneath the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and licensees might request to see this earlier than providing you any money.
Various funding choices to discover
Right here’s some suppliers that might be able to assist you safe funding for photo voltaic panels:
>See additionally: Tips on how to get a enterprise grant from the council
What are the benefits and downsides of photo voltaic panels?
Benefits
- Low power prices
- Potential to receives a commission for PV technology with SEG
- Much less reliance on the Nationwide Grid
- Reduces your online business’s carbon footprint which might be good PR
Disadvantages
- Dependence on climate
- The preliminary setup prices might be comparatively excessive
- You could house to accommodate 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 make the most of the Clear Warmth Grant, which gives as much as £7,000 upfront to assist with set up prices.
If you happen to select to go down this route, like SEG, make sure the installer is MCS-qualified.
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 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 functions by companies in England, Scotland and Wales till November 2025. You’ll be able to apply right here.
Different sorts of inexperienced power your online business can leverage embrace offshore wind power and biofuels. The SEG grant additionally applies to wind generators and hydropower.
Yow will discover extra common inexperienced power schemes and grants for companies by way of the Ofgem web site.
Extra on grants
Enterprise grants for girls – Feminine entrepreneurs face distinctive challenges in accessing funding, which is why we’ve listed these enterprise grants for girls
Enterprise grants in Wales – If you’re trying to begin your individual enterprise in Wales or already run one, you could possibly be eligible for a variety of Welsh enterprise grants
