Grants for renewable energy - for schools, community organisations, churches, charities etc.

See also our schools section for more detailed information applying not just to schools, but organisations generally.

The rules governing the issuing of grants for renewable technologies have changed. As of April 2010, phase 2 of the UK Governments' Low Carbon Buildings Program (LCBP) is only available for heat microgeneration technologies,i.e. solar thermal, ground source heat pumps, biomass and others. This is only available until March 2011, when it is due to be replaced by the Renewable Heat Incentive.

For electrical microgeneration technologies such as wind or solar pv, the government has, as of April 2010, introduced the Feed in Tariff (FIT). This will guarantee an income for all electricity generated, even when it is used on site. A typical 2.5kW well sited solar pv installation can offer a reward of up to £900 and save £140 a year on your electricity bill.

There still remain lots of grants to help schools, community organisations (e.g. village halls), churches etc. to get renewable energy technologies installed. The main technologies covered are:

  • solar electricity (photovoltaics)
  • solar hot water
  • wind turbines
  • heat pumps (ground source)
  • biomass

The main grant programme is the governments scheme known as "Phase 2 of The Low Carbon Buildings Programme". This scheme offers 50% grants. As long as you have a quote from certain approved companies (known as Framework Suppliers" ) the grant is more or less guaranteed. For details see their website www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk. As mentioned above, as of April 2010 this only applies to heat microgeneration technologies.

The second scheme, which applies to all renewable techologies, is known as CSEP (the Community Sustainable Energy Programme).This scheme can also provide up to 50% so, by combining this with the "Phase2" grant above it is possible to get a full 100% funded project. See their website www.communitysustainable.org.uk for more details.

There are also lots of other sources of grant funding for this kind of project. If you're based in the Northwest for instance, you can apply for a Foundation grant from Climate Fund. If you're based in the Lake District National Park, or just outside it, you can apply to the Sustainable Development Fund.

Sundog Energy Ltd is a Cumbrian based designer and installer of renewable energy systems. It is also a Framework Supplier under the government grant for solar electricity, solar hot water and wind turbines. They offer free advice and help in getting grants. Their website is www.sundog-energy.co.uk or you could call 01768482282 and ask for help.