Sustainable and grant support for businesses and charities
In this section
Solar PV and Battery Grant for Businesses and Community Buildings
Apply for a grant to help your organisation install solar panels and/or a battery system that can help your business:
- reduce energy bills and protect against rising energy costs
- cut carbon emissions and improve environmental performance
- increase energy independence and resilience
As part of the council’s work to support the achievement of net zero emissions by 2045 for the district, we are committed to supporting local businesses and community organisations to reduce their environmental impact.
About the grant
The Solar PV and Battery Grant aims to support small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and community organisations located in Three Rivers District to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions through the installation of solar panels and/or battery systems to their buildings.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until either the available funding is fully allocated, or the deadline of 31 March 2028 is reached.
Grants of up to £6,500 are available for eligible businesses and community organisations to install solar panels and/or a battery system to their premises. At least 50% of the total value of the installation cost must be funded by the SME or community organisation.
Please note: this is a grant and does not need to be repaid. However, the grants are paid retrospectively, this means if you are successful in securing a grant, you must purchase and complete your project before claiming the funding you have been awarded.
Eligibility criteria
You can apply for a grant if your business meets the criteria below.
All applicants must:
- Have a physical trading address within Three Rivers District Council Local Authority Area – this does not include businesses or community organisations run out of domestic properties.
- Meet the UK Government’s definition of an SME (have fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £44 million or a balance sheet total less than or equal to £38 million).
- Be able to evidence trading activity.
- Fall into one of the following categories: registered as a limited company; a sole trader; or a partnership, a Community Interest Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Cooperative, Community Benefit Society, Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Expected Charity. If your community building/organisation does not fall into one of these categories, please contact us.
- Be able to demonstrate the business/organisation has sufficient financial resources available to cash flow the project and provide the co-funding required.
- Be registered either on Companies House, with HMRC or the Charity Commission and have a Unique Tax Reference Number (if applicable).
- Have a Business Rates number for the property benefitting from the funding (if applicable).
- Have written consent from the landlord of the commercial premises to install solar panels and/or a battery system (if applicable).
For the full Business Solar and Battery Grant Terms and Conditions, please read the document below:
Solar PV and Battery Grant for Businesses and Community Buildings Terms and Conditions (PDF)
How to apply
If you think your business or organisation is eligible for the Solar PV and Battery Grant, please complete the application form:
Solar PV and Battery Grant Application formPlease note before you apply:
- All applicants will need to obtain and upload copies of two quotes from different installers for the Solar PV and/or battery system you are applying for grant funding for, to the application form.
- If your organisation does not own the property you are applying for a grant for, you will also need to provide proof that your organisation has obtained permission from the landlord/owner to install solar panels and/or a battery system to the building, as part of the application.
How we will assess your application
The council will assess all applications against standard evaluation criteria and will approve applications from eligible SMEs and community organisations with viable applications.
Funding available is limited, so the grant will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis to eligible applicants with viable applications.
If the demand for the grant is high, proposals for solar panels and/or battery projects that deliver the highest carbon emissions reductions and energy storage will be viewed more favourably.
If your business received funding under the council’s UKSPF Business Energy Efficiency Grant 2024-25 you are allowed to apply to the Solar PV and Battery Grant 2026, providing your business/organisation did not install solar panels and/or a battery under the UKSPF 2024-25 grant.
Contact
You can contact us by email at: climate.change@threerivers.gov.uk if you have any questions. Please include your business/organisation name and the address of your premises within Three Rivers District in your email.
Privacy Notice
Please find the Privacy Notice for the SME Solar PV and Battery Grant here:
Privacy Notice for Solar PV & Battery Grant 2026 (PDF)
Page updated: October 2026
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