Regional growth hub grants for business solar
Regional growth hub solar grants 2026 — Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West of England, York and beyond. £1k-£25k match-funded grants fo...
£1,000 – £25,000 typical (match-funded, usually 40-60%)
Regional grant · Updated 12 May 2026
York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme
Y&NY Business Sustainability Programme 2026 — free decarbonisation advice and capital grants up to £14k for North Yorkshire SMEs.
Overview
The Business Sustainability Programme covers City of York, the seven districts of North Yorkshire, and parts of East Riding by partnership. It provides free decarbonisation diagnostic visits and small capital grants (typically £500-£14,000) for SMEs investing in energy efficiency or low-carbon technology including solar PV. Funded primarily through UK Shared Prosperity Fund replacement schemes and Mayoral Combined Authority budgets, it is one of England's better-resourced regional sustainability programmes.
For a typical small business installing 10-20kWp of rooftop solar (£10,000-£25,000 project), the BSP grant can cover 30-50% of capex when combined with AIA tax relief — making the after-grant net cost roughly 35-45% of the headline price.
Key facts at a glance
| Maximum capital grant | £14,000 (match-funded) |
| Geographic scope | City of York; North Yorkshire districts; East Riding by partnership |
| Programme funder | UK Shared Prosperity Fund / Mayoral Combined Authority |
| Delivered by | Y&NY LEP and partner agencies |
| Eligibility | SMEs (under 250 employees) |
| Match funding | Typically 50% from applicant |
Eligibility criteria
- Trading address in City of York, North Yorkshire districts (Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby) or East Riding partnership areas.
- SME status — under 250 employees, under £43m turnover.
- Commercial premises (registered office or trading premises).
- Subsidy control / state aid compliance.
- Project must be genuinely additional — not retrospective on already-installed equipment.
How to apply
Step 1 — Contact the Y&NY Business Sustainability Programme.
Online enquiry form on the YNYLEP website.
Step 2 — Receive a free decarbonisation diagnostic.
A site visit from an accredited assessor. Typically 1-2 hours.
Step 3 — Receive recommendations.
Written report identifying eligible projects and grant routes.
Step 4 — Apply for the capital grant.
Online application form, typically 2-3 pages plus supplier quote.
Step 5 — Grant agreement and project delivery.
Typically 8-12 weeks from application to grant agreement, then 3-6 months to delivery.
Watch-outs and pitfalls
- Funding rounds are subject to UKSPF and Mayoral budget cycles. Programmes can pause between funding rounds.
- Geographic eligibility is precise. A business in York city centre qualifies; a business 2 miles outside the city in Acomb (which is unitary city) might not. Check the exact postcode eligibility.
- Grant is paid in arrears. Cashflow matters.
- Match funding must be from non-government sources.
- Some sectors are excluded — agriculture is typically handled separately through the Farming Investment Fund.
Stacking with other grants and reliefs
Most successful 2026 commercial solar projects use a combination of schemes — this is where independent advice earns its keep. York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme typically combines well with:
- Annual Investment Allowance for business solar — Up to £1 million per year, 100% first-year deduction
- Smart Export Guarantee for businesses — 3p–15p per kWh exported (2026 fixed tariffs)
Sources & further reading
Related schemes
Capital grant Tax relief Income scheme
Other relevant grants & reliefs
Annual Investment Allowance for business solar
AIA 2026 guide — how UK businesses claim 100% first-year tax relief on commercial solar PV up to £1m. Eligibility, calculation worked exampl...
Up to £1 million per year, 100% first-year deduction
Smart Export Guarantee for businesses
Smart Export Guarantee 2026 guide for UK businesses — best export tariffs, eligibility for 50kWp+ systems, how to register, and how to combi...
3p–15p per kWh exported (2026 fixed tariffs)
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme?
The Business Sustainability Programme covers City of York, the seven districts of North Yorkshire, and parts of East Riding by partnership. It provides free decarbonisation diagnostic visits and small capital grants (typically £500-£14,000) for SMEs investing in energy efficiency or low-carbon technology including solar PV. Funded primarily through UK Shared Prosperity Fund replacement schemes and Mayoral Combined Authority budgets, it is one of England's better-resourced regional sustainability programmes.
Is the scheme open for applications in 2026?
As of May 2026, the scheme's funding status is: Rolling (subject to UKSPF / regional funding). We re-check application windows monthly — if this is critical to your planning, request an eligibility check for the current programme status.
How much can a UK business get?
Typical award range: £500 – £14,000 capital grants; free advice on top. The size of any individual award depends on project capex, sector eligibility, match funding available and the scheme's per-applicant cap.
Who administers the scheme?
York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority. Applications are submitted through the administrator's process — we link the relevant gov.uk and scheme pages at the bottom of this guide.
What are the biggest pitfalls applicants fall into?
Funding rounds are subject to UKSPF and Mayoral budget cycles. Programmes can pause between funding rounds. Geographic eligibility is precise. A business in York city centre qualifies; a business 2 miles outside the city in Acomb (which is unitary city) might not. Check the exact postcode eligibility. Grant is paid in arrears. Cashflow matters.
Check if your business qualifies
Free 60-second eligibility check tells you whether York & North Yorkshire Business Sustainability Programme applies — and which other schemes can stack.
Run free eligibility check Or call 0800 246 1132