Tracker · Updated 12 May 2026 · Re-verified monthly
UK solar grant deadlines & application windows 2026
Live tracker of UK commercial solar grant programmes — application windows, expected next-round dates, typical lead times, and administrators. Re-verified at the start of every month.
Important
Grant programme windows change with little notice. For critical decisions, verify the latest status directly with the scheme administrator. The free eligibility check includes a current-programme-status check as part of the response.
Current programme status
| Programme | Status | Lead time | Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Export Guarantee | Open - ongoing | Rolling | Ofgem |
| Annual Investment Allowance | Permanent | Year-end CT600 | HMRC |
| Full Expensing (main-rate plant — not solar) | Permanent — n/a to solar | Year-end CT600 | HMRC |
| IETF (England, Wales, NI) | CLOSED | n/a | DESNZ |
| PSDS (England) | CLOSED | n/a | Salix Finance for DESNZ |
| Salix Recycling Fund (England) | CLOSED | n/a | Salix Finance |
| Scotland SME Loan Scheme | Open - rolling (cashback subject to programme rules) | 8-12 weeks | Energy Saving Trust |
| Business Wales / DBW | Open - rolling | 8-10 weeks credit decision | Development Bank of Wales |
| Invest NI Sustainable Productivity | Open - rolling | 12-16 weeks | Invest NI |
| BEAS (West Midlands) | Open - rolling (subject to MCA budget) | 6-8 weeks | WMCA + Business West |
| Y&NY Business Sustainability | Open - rolling (subject to UKSPF) | 4-6 weeks | Y&NY LEP |
| WECA Green Business Grant | Open - rolling (subject to UKSPF) | 4-6 weeks | WECA + Business West |
| Farming Investment Fund — Improving Farm Productivity (IFP) | Round-based (FETF strand closed 28 Apr 2026) | Per round — check the RPA portal | Rural Payments Agency |
| Green Heat Network Fund | Phase 3 expected 2026 | 18-24 months end-to-end | DESNZ / Triple Point |
| Carbon Trust Green Business Fund | Rolling (programme-dependent) | Variable | Carbon Trust |
Programme-by-programme notes
Smart Export Guarantee
No deadline. Apply directly to chosen SEG supplier. Rates fixed for 12 months, then renew.
No deadline. Apply directly to chosen SEG supplier. Rates fixed for 12 months, then renew.
Annual Investment Allowance
No application. Claimed on corporation tax return at financial year-end. £1m annual cap per group.
No application. Claimed on corporation tax return at financial year-end. £1m annual cap per group.
Full Expensing (main-rate plant — not solar)
Made permanent at the Autumn Statement of November 2023. Not available on solar panels (special-rate) — the AIA is the solar route, claimed on the tax return.
Made permanent at the Autumn Statement of November 2023. Not available on solar panels (special-rate) — the AIA is the solar route, claimed on the tax return.
IETF (England, Wales, NI)
Last window closed 19 April 2024; DESNZ confirmed in July 2025 there will be no further extension and no successor fund (gov.uk, updated 25 June 2026).
Last window closed 19 April 2024; DESNZ confirmed in July 2025 there will be no further extension and no successor fund (gov.uk, updated 25 June 2026).
PSDS (England)
Phase 4 window closed to new applications in November 2024; it was the final phase and no further phase had been announced as of September 2026.
Phase 4 window closed to new applications in November 2024; it was the final phase and no further phase had been announced as of September 2026.
Salix Recycling Fund (England)
Closed to new applicants since 2010; all funds closed and in repayment from 31 March 2025.
Closed to new applicants since 2010; all funds closed and in repayment from 31 March 2025.
Scotland SME Loan Scheme
Scottish business decarbonisation loans at 0% interest. Cashback bonuses subject to current programme rules and budget availability.
Scottish business decarbonisation loans at 0% interest. Cashback bonuses subject to current programme rules and budget availability.
Invest NI Sustainable Productivity
Northern Ireland SME productivity grants supporting decarbonisation projects.
Northern Ireland SME productivity grants supporting decarbonisation projects.
BEAS (West Midlands)
West Midlands SME energy advice + capital grants up to £100k. Check current funding status.
West Midlands SME energy advice + capital grants up to £100k. Check current funding status.
Farming Investment Fund — Improving Farm Productivity (IFP)
England farm capital grant at 25% of eligible cost; solar PV eligible alongside productivity equipment. FETF never funded rooftop solar.
England farm capital grant at 25% of eligible cost; solar PV eligible alongside productivity equipment. FETF never funded rooftop solar.
Green Heat Network Fund
District heat network + solar PV + heat pump combinations. Phase 2 closed; Phase 3 expected.
District heat network + solar PV + heat pump combinations. Phase 2 closed; Phase 3 expected.
Carbon Trust Green Business Fund
SME energy audit + small capital grant. Programme partners change annually.
SME energy audit + small capital grant. Programme partners change annually.
Setting up alerts
The single biggest cause of missed grant opportunities is window-opening timing. The best alert sources for current programmes:
- DESNZ updates: gov.uk DESNZ email alerts — covers the Green Heat Network Fund and any new programme (the IETF and PSDS are closed)
- Salix Finance: salixfinance.co.uk newsletter — PSDS, Salix Recycling Fund
- Local growth hub: Your local growth hub email list for regional schemes
- Energy Saving Trust: Scotland SME Loan Scheme updates
- Business Wales: Welsh Government scheme alerts via businesswales.gov.wales
- Invest NI: Sectoral account manager updates for NI businesses
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