Here is a guide to some of the possible funding available towards micro-renewable energy installations.
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme designed to certify microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for consumers.
The MCS is the only certification scheme to cover all microgeneration products and services, and has support from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, industry and non-governmental groups as a prime method for making a substantial contrubiton to cutting the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.
Ecoliving is an accredited MCS “installer” and the majority of renewable energy systems distributed by the company are accredited products which means that Ecoliving customers can claim grant funding towards the installation of ground and air source heat pumps, solar water heating and biomass fuelled boiler systems.
UK-WIDE SCHEMES
Feed In Tariffs
Generate your own electricity and make an income!
From 1 April 2010, householders and communities who install low carbon electricity technology, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, will be paid for the electricity they generate, even if they use it themselves.
Retrofit solar PV onto an existing south facing roof you will get 41.3 pence per kilowatt hour for all the electricity you generate. New homes, the level is just slightly less at 36.1 pence per kilowatt hour.
The equipment owner will go on receiving payments for 25 years and the level is linked to inflation.
They will receive a further payment of 5p per kilowatt hour for electricity they feed into the grid. These payments are in addition to you benefiting from lower bills, as you reduce the need to buy electricity.
A typical 2.5kw well sited solar PV installation could offer a homeowner a reward of up to £900 and save them £140 a year on their electricity bill. This equates to between a 5 per cent and 8 per cent return on the initial investment.
UK – WIDE SCHEMES FOR BUSINESS, PUBLIC SECTOR & COMMUNITIES
Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme
The range of NIBE ground source heat pumps are on the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme list of approved products. Companies can offset the capital expenditure on these against tax liabilities.
Carbon Trust 0% Business Loans
Unsecured loans are available to replace old equipment with new energy saving equipment. Loans from £3000 to £500,000 are available, with repayments calculated to be offset by anticipated monthly energy savings. The loan is designed to pay for itself, saving money year after year. Business loans are unsecured and interest free, with no arrangement fees and a straightforward application process. For more information visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans
SCOTLAND ONLY BUSINESS & COMMUNITY GRANTS
Big Lottery Fund
Through Big Lottery Scotland’s Growing Community Assets Scheme, communities can bring real and lasting legacies to their local communities through developing sustainable energy projects.
Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES)
Through Community Energy Scotland, CARES offers grants to a range of community organisations to help with the installation of a variety of renewable energy tehnologies. Communities may apply for funding for technical assistance and capital grants for renewable energy equipment installation and associated costs. Under CARES there is no set grant funding, the amount of funding awarded is determined on a case by case basis.
WALES ONLY BUSINESS GRANTS
Energy Efficiency Loan
Interest free loans of £5000 - £100,000 available for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) wishing to invest in energy saving equipment that either upgrades or replaces existing facilities.
Finance Wales
Flexible commercial funding, ranging from a £5000 loan to a £1,000,000 equity investment for SMEs wishing to develop projects involving renewable energy/energy efficiency/recyclables and SMEs providing environmental goods and services.
WALES ONLY COMMUNITY GRANTS
Communities First Trust Fund
A grant of up to £5,000 aimed at small community led organisations in Communities First Areas in Wales to support any type of activity involving local people and providing some measure of environmental benefit for their communities.
Sustainable Development Fund
An initiative to develop sustainable projects, this fund supports proposals that focus on environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects of life.
Environment Wales Grant
Voluntary and third sector groups undertaking practical projects to promote sustainable improvements to the Welsh environment.
Big Lottery Fund Wales
Offering Big Lottery fund grants to grassroots groups in the community and voluntary sector.
COMING SOON.....
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – set to be in place by April 2011 in order to meet our 2020 15% renewable energy target, incentive payments for utilising renewable heat sources will be funded by a levy on suppliers of fossil fuels for heat.