Solar PV Grant Application Now Open

As mentioned in previous newsletter articles last autumn a new solar grant which is part of the Improving Farm Productivity grants suite has been launched by the RPA.  The minimum grant that can be applied for is £15,000 (25% of £60,000) and the maximum is £100,000 (25% of £400,000).  Farmers may choose to use loans, overdrafts, or other monies to fund the remaining balance of the project after the loan has been applied, however, other public money may not be used.

The grant will not fund heavily shaded sites or projects on north facing roofs.

The costs that the grant will fund include solar PV panels, solar batteries, inverters, utility meters, electrical grid connection and power diverter which redirects excess solar energy to power storage (for example heat stores).

Upgrading existing PV systems or reinforcing roofs will not be covered by this grant.

The application be checked against the following criteria: 

• Does it meet the funding priorities?
• Does it show value for money?
• Is it financially viable?
• Is it realistically deliverable?

Timeline:

Stage 1
You can use the online checker to check if you can apply for either a Farm Productivity grant or a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) grant and to check how well your project fits the funding priorities.  This process will take about 20 minutes if you have all the project details. 

Stage 2
If RPA invite you to make a full application, you will need to fill in the full application form and e-mail it with your supporting documents to the RPA.

The RPA will tell you the deadline for submitting your full application.  If you do not submit a full application by this date, your application will be withdrawn.

The RPA will assess value for money alongside the funding priorities.  This may affect your overall project score.

Stage 3
The RPA aims to give you a decision about your application as soon as possible after receiving a complete full application (within 60 working days).

If you are offered a grant, the RPA will send you a grant funding agreement (GFA) for you to sign and return.  This will set out the legal terms, conditions and amount of the grant.

If you have a report done by an independent PV consultancy to prove viability and the best system for your site, this will give you the best value for money and increase your chances of success as the grant process is competitive.  We can help recommend such a company or help you in the application process.  Contact Morgan at morgangray@fcgagric.com or Tel: 07707 893492.