SCHRI Grants for homeowners:The Scottish Community & Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) is funded by the Scottish Government. The initiative offers both an advice and funding service to homeowners and businesses throughout Scotland. SCHRI is jointly administered by the Energy Saving Trust, which manages the householders programme throughout Scotland, and the communities programme throughout the lowlands, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which takes care of the communities programme covering their area. Homeowners in Scotland can claim grants of up to 30% of the cost of a renewable technology up to a maximum of £4000, and may apply for funding for up to two different technologies. The products and installers will need to be on the same accredited list as the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
Which technologies can I go for?
The following technologies are eligible for the grant: - Wind turbines
- Micro hydro-electric
- Solar photovoltaic
- Solar water heating
- Solar space heating
- Automated wood fuel heating systems (boilers and room heaters/stoves)
- Heat pumps (ground, air and water source)
- Connections to the Lerwick District Heating Network (heat exchangers only).
There are case studies on the EST website which may help you decide what’s most suitable for you.
How do I apply?
A downloadable application form is available from the EST website, which should be sent along with the quote from the installer. You’ll get a grant offer letter within around 15 working days if your application is successful.
Once you have received your grant offer letter you’ll need to make sure you complete your installation and make your claim within 6 months.
SCHRI Grants for organisations:This grant is aimed at non-profit organisations, such as charities, local authorities, housing associations, schools etc. The average grant is around 50% of the project cost, but there is no set amount and each case is assessed individually. Anyone going for this will need to have secured funding from another source for their project, as this will be a deciding factor as to whether the application is a success.
Which technologies can we go for?
SCHRI will fund the following technologies, but it may consider others so do check with them:
- Wind turbines
- Hydro-electric
- Solar water heating
- Solar space heating
- Automated wood fuel heating systems (boilers and room heaters/stoves)
- Heat pumps (ground, air and water source)
How much will we get?
There is a maximum of £10,000 available for technical assistance. This covers things like costs associated with feasibility studies, proposal development or raising awareness and skills. All studies will have to be finished within 12 months of receiving the grant.
There is also a maximum of £100,000 covering the costs of the installation. This can also be put towards maintaining the infrastructure where necessary such as roads, or project management costs. The technologies must be up and running within 2 years of the grant being offered.
Who can we contact for help?
SCHRI Development Officers are on hand to offer expertise and advice for anyone planning a community renewable project. In addition the Scottish Community Renewables Network (SCRN) has been set up by the EST to enable members to meet, share and learn good practice when implementing their renewable projects. Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Grants: Northern Ireland Electricity operates a number of grant schemes which you can apply for in addition to the Reconnect grant.
NIE PV top-up If you’re applying for a PV grant to either the Reconnect programme or the LCBP, and you live in NI, you will additionally be able to apply for a 15% top-up grant from NIE. The rate is £900 per kWp up to a maximum of £4,500. The top-up is open to homeowners, businesses or community groups, and the NIE application form is normally sent out with the grant offer letter.
NIE Community Renewables Fund This grant is open to community projects which already have some funding, but just need that final injection of cash for the project to go ahead. Organisations can apply for up to 50% of the project costs, to a maximum of £10,000. Applications are assessed on a monthly basis, but you cannot apply for funding for the same project through any other NIE grant scheme.
NIE Help with Hydro Grants are also available to help support the development of small scale hydro, for householders, communities and other organisations in Northern Ireland. Householders are able to apply for grants of £1000 per kWe, up to a maximum of £5,000. Other organisations / communities can apply for a maximum of 25% of total costs, or £10,000, whichever is lower. Communities however can’t qualify for this as well as the Community Renewables Fund.
Greener Homes Scheme - Republic of Ireland Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) runs a grant scheme specifically for renewable heating installations in new or existing homes. The technologies include solar space and/or hot water heating, heat pumps, wood chip or pellet stoves and boilers. All products chosen will need to be accredited. SEI mainly focus on heat solutions rather than electricity generation such as wind or solar PV, as these tend to be cheaper and so can be deployed to a greater number of homes.
EDF Energy Green Fund Since the EDF Energy Green Fund was set up in 2001, it has provided over £2.7 million in grants for community renewable projects. The fund is financed by EDF Energy’s Green Tariff customers (who have opted for electricity from renewable energy sources), and up to £30,000 may be awarded for community renewable projects, rising to £50,000 in exceptional cases. EDF Energy has supported a variety of technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and micro hydropower generators. Recipients to date have included schools, charities and churches. There isn’t loads of information on their website, but you can call 0800 051 1905 for further info. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest grant-making organisations in the UK. It has several funding interests, and supports initiatives that help foster a low carbon economy. The foundation encourages applications that help speed up the adoption of renewable energy. Renewable energy projects are most likely to be funded through the funding stream 'Environment - Low Carbon Economy', although applications won’t be accepted from individuals. Before applying it is worth checking with the foundation’s environmental advisers as to whether your project is eligible for funding.
Heat Pumps - Ice Energy & nPower Ice Energy has got together with nPower to offer a £1,500 grant towards ground/air/water source heat pumps. You do not even have to be an nPower customer to qualify. The grant is open to homeowners, landlords, housing associations, builders and developers. If you do go for this please note you can’t also go for the £1,200 LCBP grant too.
Affordable Energy Affordable Energy is a grant scheme that provides pre-negotiated discounts for heating solutions and insulation grants. The scheme is a collaboration between local authorities and Climate Energy, and technologies available for discounts include solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps and solar PV. For heating solutions they claim to be confident to beat most national installer prices by 40%.
E.ON Sustainable Energy SOURCE Fund The E.ON SOURCE Fund offers grants of up to £20,000 to community projects that promote sustainable energy use within buildings. Grants are only available to community groups, charities and other non-profit organisations, and will fund both energy efficiency and microgeneration projects. Applications are assessed 3 times a year – check out their website for the latest deadlines.
EnergySmart EnergySmart is a UK-wide not for profit scheme, which offers heating systems such as solar hot water and condensing boilers at pre-negotiated discounts.
Solar For London Solar for London is an initiative operating in collaboration with 31 London boroughs, which offers discounts on solar water heating systems. Up to £1,500 cash back is available and you will still be able to apply for the LCBP grant.
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