Ynni Cymru grants and solar PV

Status, checked 3 November 2026

Sources: Ynni Cymru, capital grant scheme 2026 to 2027, guidance and grants awarded, all on GOV.WALES.

What Ynni Cymru funds

The programme's aims are to expand and optimise locally owned renewable energy, speed up smart local energy systems and keep the benefits in Welsh communities. A smart local energy system brings together generation, storage, demand management and local network infrastructure in one area.

Capital grants are not for single technologies. The guidance says projects "must be a multi-technology Smart Local Energy System" and that "single-technology or standalone installations are not eligible". In the 2026 to 2027 round:

The maximum award was £999,999.99 per project and per organisation.

Who could apply

Organisations headquartered or with an operating base in Wales:

• Public sector bodies, including councils, universities, colleges and schools: 25% match funding
• Community organisations and social enterprises, including charities, community benefit societies, CICs and co-operatives: no match funding
• Small and medium-sized enterprises employing people in Wales (fewer than 250 staff, turnover under £44 million and/or balance sheet under £38 million): 25% match funding

Match funding had to be cash; other Welsh Government grants could not count, but Welsh Government loans could, including the Development Bank of Wales Green Business Loan Scheme for eligible businesses.

The solar PV rule for businesses

For SMEs and public sector organisations, the guidance limits grant for solar PV:

• Solar PV is only eligible where its simple payback is more than 10 years.
• Only the share of the cost attributable to the years beyond year 10 can be funded.
• Grant for solar PV is capped at 40% of the eligible solar PV cost.
• A project of solar PV and battery storage only is not eligible.

The guidance gives worked examples. For £100,000 of solar PV with a 12.5 year payback, 2.5 of the 12.5 years fall after year 10, so 20% (£20,000) could be funded. With a 25 year payback, 60% would qualify, but the 40% cap limits the grant to £40,000. With a 9 year payback, the solar is not eligible.

In other words, the better a business roof suits solar, the less Ynni Cymru would fund it. A typical commercial roof with a short payback (see our calculator) would have received nothing for the panels.

SME applications also had to show benefits "clearly beyond private commercial gain", such as a way of sharing value locally, and that the community benefit would not happen without public funding.

Support still open

GOV.WALES lists support available to organisations in Wales, including SMEs, alongside the capital grants:

• Health check for existing renewable energy assets: a free review of performance, commercial arrangements and smart technology
• Grid support: advice on connecting to and working with the network, for community enterprises
• Specialist project development for smart local energy systems
• Route to market: finding the best way to sell or supply local energy

To ask, email ynnicymru@localpartnerships.gov.uk with your organisation, project location and the support you need.

What a Welsh business can do now

• Read solar grants in Wales for the loans and support open across Wales.
• Claim capital allowances if you buy a system.
• Check the business rates position: renewable generation plant is left out of rating valuations in Wales.
• If you are a community group or charity, see charities and community buildings.

A free survey gives you the design, cost and payback a grant or loan application needs. See what you qualify for.