Industrial Energy Transformation Fund for solar PV
IETF 2026 guide — match-funded grants of 30-50% for energy-intensive industry in England, Wales, NI. Eligible sectors, application windows, ...
30-50% of project capex (typically £100k-£14m awards)
Capital grant · Updated 12 May 2026
Invest NI green tech grants for business solar
Invest NI 2026 — grants and loan support for Northern Ireland SMEs investing in solar PV. Sustainable Productivity programme, Energy efficiency capital grants.
Overview
Invest NI is Northern Ireland's economic development agency, with a particular focus on improving competitiveness in manufacturing, tradeable services and agri-food. Within its remit it runs several grant programmes that can fund commercial solar PV — most notably the Sustainable Productivity programme (matched capital grants for energy efficiency and decarbonisation) and various Energy Efficiency capital grant calls.
Unlike English schemes, Invest NI takes a more bespoke, account-managed approach. Most applications start with an introductory conversation with a sector-specific account manager who then shapes the application around the most relevant grant line. This works well for projects with broader productivity narratives (e.g. solar PV + new manufacturing line + automation) but can be slower for standalone solar applications.
Key facts at a glance
| Maximum grant | Up to 50% match funding on qualifying capex |
| Typical grant size | £20,000 – £200,000 |
| Application route | Direct to Invest NI |
| Programme name | Sustainable Productivity programme + Energy Efficiency Capital Grant |
| Eligible sectors | Manufacturing, tradeable services, agri-food, life sciences |
| Geographic scope | Northern Ireland only |
Eligibility criteria
- Northern Ireland-based business (trading address in NI).
- Manufacturing or tradeable services sector — Invest NI's remit is narrower than England's growth hubs.
- SME or scale-up status — different programmes have different size thresholds; check with your account manager.
- Project must deliver measurable productivity or energy efficiency improvement.
- Subsidy control / state aid compliance.
- Some programmes prioritise FDI (foreign direct investment) but solar is accessible to indigenous NI businesses.
How to apply
Step 1 — Speak to your Invest NI account manager.
If you don't have one, contact Invest NI's main switchboard and ask to be allocated to a sector-relevant account manager.
Step 2 — Map your project to a current grant line.
Solar PV typically maps to the Sustainable Productivity programme, Energy Efficiency capital grant, or — for larger industrial projects — to UK Industrial Energy Transformation Fund applications coordinated through Invest NI.
Step 3 — Develop the project plan.
Invest NI typically requires a 10-20 page project plan covering strategic case, financial case, management case, and economic case (HM Treasury Five Case Model).
Step 4 — Submit the application.
Invest NI's application system is online; expect 4-6 weeks for initial assessment.
Step 5 — Technical and economic appraisal.
Invest NI's analysts review the application and may commission an independent technical reviewer.
Step 6 — Letter of Offer.
Successful applications receive a Letter of Offer with conditions attached. Conditions typically include matched funding evidence, MCS certification of installer, and monitoring requirements.
Step 7 — Project delivery and claim.
Grant is paid in arrears against verified expenditure milestones.
Watch-outs and pitfalls
- Invest NI prioritises productivity gains. A solar project that simply reduces energy bills will struggle for funding; one that enables process electrification, new manufacturing capacity, or improved competitiveness in export markets fares better.
- Service sectors outside Invest NI's tradeable services remit (e.g. local retail, hospitality, professional services serving NI domestic market) typically do not qualify. They should look at the Northern Ireland equivalent of growth hub support — typically through their council.
- Application heavy. The Five Case Model documentation is detailed. Most applicants need either internal capability or external grant-writing support.
- State aid / subsidy control: post-Brexit, NI sits within the UK subsidy control framework but also has specific arrangements under the Windsor Framework. Some industrial grants are subject to EU State Aid rules for goods. Get specialist advice.
- Grant is paid in arrears. Cashflow planning matters — you'll typically pay your installer in full and recover the grant over 3-12 months.
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. Invest NI green tech grants for business solar 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)
- Industrial Energy Transformation Fund for solar PV — 30-50% of project capex (typically £100k-£14m awards)
Sources & further reading
Related schemes
Capital grant Capital grant Tax relief
Other relevant grants & reliefs
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%)
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
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is Invest NI green tech grants for business solar?
Invest NI is Northern Ireland's economic development agency, with a particular focus on improving competitiveness in manufacturing, tradeable services and agri-food. Within its remit it runs several grant programmes that can fund commercial solar PV — most notably the Sustainable Productivity programme (matched capital grants for energy efficiency and decarbonisation) and various Energy Efficiency capital grant calls.
Is the scheme open for applications in 2026?
As of May 2026, the scheme's funding status is: Rolling intake. 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: £10,000 – £750,000 typical project size. 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?
Invest Northern Ireland (Department for the Economy). 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?
Invest NI prioritises productivity gains. A solar project that simply reduces energy bills will struggle for funding; one that enables process electrification, new manufacturing capacity, or improved competitiveness in export markets fares better. Service sectors outside Invest NI's tradeable services remit (e.g. local retail, hospitality, professional services serving NI domestic market) typically do not qualify. They should look at the Northern Ireland equivalent of growth hub support — typically through their council. Application heavy. The Five Case Model documentation is detailed. Most applicants need either internal capability or external grant-writing support.
Check if your business qualifies
Free 60-second eligibility check tells you whether Invest NI green tech grants for business solar applies — and which other schemes can stack.
Run free eligibility check Or call 0800 246 1132