Solar grants and funding in England

The short version

For a typical business in England, the financial support for solar is tax relief, the business rates exemption and export payments, not a grant. Community energy groups and public bodies have more options. This page sets out what we found as of November 2026. Schemes change, so always check the official source before you rely on them.

Businesses

There is no national capital grant for rooftop solar on business premises in England. What most businesses can use:

• Capital allowances: the Annual Investment Allowance and, for companies, the 50% first year allowance. See our capital allowances guide and confirm the position with your accountant.
• Business rates exemption: eligible onsite renewable generation and storage plant and machinery is exempt from business rates from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2035, under SI 2022/405. In practice, adding solar should not increase your rates bill, but confirm with your local authority or the Valuation Office Agency if your property is being revalued.
• Export payments: the Smart Export Guarantee pays for surplus electricity.
• Finance: commercial loans, hire purchase, leases and power purchase agreements.

Local authorities and growth hubs sometimes run small energy grants for local businesses, usually for a limited period.

TODO for the site owner: Check whether any local authority, combined authority or growth hub business energy grants that include solar PV are currently open in England, and add them with links to the official pages if so.

Schools and colleges

Great British Energy and government have funded rooftop solar on around 250 schools and colleges in England, with installations due to be complete by summer 2026. The programme targeted schools primarily in areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West, plus at least 10 schools in each region. It was not an open application scheme. Schools are not eligible for the GBE Community Fund, which is for community organisations. Our schools page covers how schools can assess solar more generally.

TODO for the site owner: Check the Great British Energy website (gbe.gov.uk) and Department for Education announcements for any further schools solar round, and add eligibility and how to apply if one opens.

NHS sites and public bodies

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix, has funded heat decarbonisation projects that often include solar. Phase 4 closed to new applications in November 2024, with funded projects running up to 31 March 2028. Great British Energy has also funded solar on NHS sites and, through Mayoral Combined Authorities, on public buildings such as fire stations and leisure centres.

For councils, the GBE Partnerships Grant offers grant funding to local authorities in England that work with a community energy partner on clean energy projects.

TODO for the site owner: Confirm whether a successor to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has been announced, and check the current status of the GBE Partnerships Grant on gbe.gov.uk.

Community groups and charities

The GBE Community Fund is the largest grant source for community energy in England in 2026. Key points from the fund's own page:

• £20 million in total, open to community organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Feasibility grants up to £40,000, development grants up to £100,000, and capital grants up to £3 million or 50% of total project value.
• Applicants must be legally constituted, incorporated community organisations, and projects must be at least 50% community owned once running.
• The current application window closes on 12 November 2026.

Local Net Zero Hubs can give tailored advice and review draft applications. Charities may also qualify for the VAT zero rate on installations in buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose. See our charities page.

Farms

We found no national grant for farm solar PV currently open in England. Farm businesses can use capital allowances on solar in the same way as other businesses. Our farms page explains how solar suits dairy, poultry, cold storage and other farm uses.

TODO for the site owner: Check current Defra and Rural Payments Agency grant schemes on GOV.UK for any that include solar PV or battery storage, and add them if found.

Planning in England

Permitted development rights for non-domestic rooftop solar were widened in December 2023, including removal of the previous 1 MW limit. Conditions still apply, for example on height above a flat roof, listed buildings, conservation areas and other protected land. Solar canopies over non-domestic car parks can also fall under permitted development, with conditions. Our planning guide explains when you still need consent.

Making the case without a grant

England has several advantages for business solar even without grant funding. Generation per kWp is generally higher in southern England than further north. Permitted development rights cover most rooftop systems, which shortens timescales. The rates exemption runs until 2035, and capital allowances let most profitable businesses recover a large part of the cost through lower tax. For many sites that combination produces a payback of a few years without any grant at all. Our solar payback guide shows how the numbers work.

Grid connections

Systems above the small G98 threshold need G99 approval from your distribution network operator before connection. In England this is UK Power Networks, National Grid Electricity Distribution, Northern Powergrid, Electricity North West, SP Energy Networks (Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire) or Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (central southern England).

Who to contact

• Great British Energy for community and public sector schemes: gbe.gov.uk
• Salix Finance for public sector schemes: salixfinance.co.uk
• Your local authority for rates and planning
• HMRC guidance and your accountant for capital allowances and VAT

To find out what solar would save on your site before you look for funding, request a free survey.