County council net zero programme · 1.5 MWp solar across portfolio
1.5 MWp combined across 14 buildings commercial solar PV installation with combined grant + tax relief stack delivering N/A (fully grant-funded) post-tax payback on £1,050,000 gross capex.
Anonymised composite case study
Names, dates and exact financial figures have been changed to preserve client confidentiality. Project structure, funding combinations, technical configuration, and order-of-magnitude figures are real and based on completed work. Full editorial disclosure on the about page.
Project snapshot
| Sector | Local government · multi-asset estate |
| Location | South West England |
| System size | 1.5 MWp combined across 14 buildings |
| Battery storage | 300 kWh at leisure centre |
| Gross project capex | £1,050,000 |
| Grant value | £1.05m (PSDS Phase 3c — 100%) |
| Year-1 tax relief | N/A (council — no CT liability) |
| Net effective cost | £0 |
| Annual savings/revenue | £238,000/year |
| Post-tax payback | N/A (fully grant-funded) |
| CO2 saving | 265 tCO2e/year (solar element) |
| Year commissioned | 2025 |
Context
The county council operates a major estate including 18 libraries, 6 leisure centres, council offices, depots, a recycling centre and several civic buildings. Combined estate electricity consumption: 9.4 GWh/year; gas: 14.2 GWh/year. The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, committing to estate-wide net zero by 2030.
In late 2022, the Climate Change Director identified PSDS Phase 3c as the prime funding opportunity for the council's solar PV programme. The Director invested £140,000 of pre-application design fees on RIBA Stage 3 design across 14 priority buildings. The application went in within 2 hours of the Phase 3c window opening in early 2024.
The challenge
Council-specific constraints:
1. **Multi-asset estate complexity.** 14 different buildings, each with unique structural, electrical, and conservation profile. Per-building design plus estate-wide programme.
2. **Public sector procurement.** PCR 2015 / Procurement Act 2023 requirements mean lengthy tendering. 16 weeks added to delivery programme.
3. **Listed buildings.** 3 of the 14 buildings were Grade II listed (Victorian library, Edwardian council chamber, 1930s civic centre). Listed Building Consent required.
4. **Operational continuity.** Libraries, leisure centres and council offices remain operational during installation. Phased delivery essential.
5. **Tight 18-month delivery window.** PSDS-funded projects must complete within 18 months of grant award.
Funding approach
The council structured the programme in 3 delivery waves:
**Wave 1 (Summer 2024):** 6 modern buildings — depots, recycling centre, leisure centres. 640 kWp combined. Faster delivery; no listed building constraints.
**Wave 2 (Spring 2025):** 5 mid-age buildings — modern libraries, ancillary council offices. 540 kWp combined.
**Wave 3 (Summer 2025):** 3 listed buildings — Victorian library, council chamber, civic centre. 320 kWp combined with conservation-sensitive placement. Listed Building Consent secured in Q1 2025.
Funding stack:
- **PSDS Phase 3c grant:** £1.05m (100% of qualifying capex) - **Salix Recycling Fund:** £140,000 at 0% over 8 years (BMS and LED upgrades not PSDS-eligible) - **Internal council capital:** £80,000 for Listed Building Consent works on civic buildings
Total programme cost: £1.27m (against £1.05m PSDS grant + £140k Salix loan + £80k council capital).
Outcome & performance
All three waves completed by Q4 2025. Year-one combined performance across the 14 buildings:
- **Annual generation:** 1.42m kWh combined - **Self-consumption rate:** 73% (high — most buildings have strong daytime occupancy) - **Annual electricity import reduction:** £238,000/year - **Annual SEG export revenue:** £18,500/year (export-dominated for libraries during weekends) - **Battery DSR revenue (leisure centre):** £8,200/year - **Combined annual savings/revenue:** £264,700/year - **CO2 saving:** 265 tCO2e/year (solar element)
The council reports against its 2030 net zero target with verifiable Scope 2 evidence. The programme is referenced in the 2025 council annual report as the largest single climate action delivered. The Climate Change Director is now planning a follow-on Phase 4 PSDS application for additional sites including the council's main administrative HQ.
Lessons learned
- PSDS application preparation must start 12-18 months before the funding window opens. The £140k pre-application investment was decisive.
- Phased delivery across multiple summer windows is the only practical option for live operational estates.
- Listed building consent on Victorian civic estates is achievable — conservation-sensitive panel placement (dark frame, ancillary roof slope, set back from facade) usually approved.
- Battery DSR participation at large public sector buildings (leisure centres, schools, hospitals) adds material annual revenue.
- Combined PSDS + Salix Recycling Fund covers both capex and revenue-side decarbonisation needs.
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