Low Carbon Buildings Programme Grant Scheme
The DTI's grant programme is being administered in two phase's - phase 1 for domestic and commercial interests and phase 2 for public sector, charitable bodies and housing associations. The DTI's old schemes run by ClearSkies and the Energy Savings Trust closed for applications on the 31st March 2006 and are being replaced by schemes administered by the BRE.
All products that are intended to be installed under the LCBP must be DTI accredited to be eligible for grants. This accreditation used to be issued by ClearSkies and the Energy Savings Trust but will in future be administered by the BRE under the UK microgeneration certification scheme.
Phase 1 Grants
Historically, the phase 1 grant scheme has split applicants in two streams. Stream 1 covering homeowners and community groups and Stream 2 catering for businesses and commercial organisations (called Stream 2A) and public and charitable organisations (called Stream 2B). In practice, Stream 1 communities and Stream 2A and Stream 2B have all been closed to new applicants.
The only funding stream left in Phase 1 is for homeowners; although public sector and charitable organisations are still able to apply for Phase 2 funding. The grant is available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and applications are accepted on a rolling first-come-first-served basis. The scheme requires that applicants must first ensure that all energy efficiency measures required by the programme have been completed and any relevant planning permission has been obtained.
The levels of grant available are as follows:
| Technology | Maximum Amount of Grant |
| Solar Photovoltaics | Maximum of £2,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to an overall maximum of £2,500 or 50% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
| Wind Turbines | Maximum of £1,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to an overall maximum of £2,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
Click here for more information on the low carbon buildings programme Phase 1 grant scheme.
Phase 2 Grants
Grants for the installation of microgeneration technologies are available to public sector buildings (including schools, hospitals, housing associations and local authorities) and charitable bodies. Applications are currently being accepted and funds have been committed to mid 2009.
Organisations can apply for a maximum of up to £1.0 million in grant funds per site. A site may include more than one property and a maximum of three eligible technologies may be grant-assisted at each property. Multiple applications from one organisation for different sites will be accepted.
The levels of grant available are as follows:
| Technology | Maximum Grant as a % of Total Project Cost |
| Solar Photovoltaics | 50% |
| Wind Turbines | 30% |
Renpower can offer help in completing grant applications, ensuring all qualifying conditions are met and reducing the effort involved in producing a successful application. Click here to learn more.
Click here for more information on the low carbon buildings programme Phase 2 grant scheme.