Solar Grant Funding for Charities and Community Organisations in Scotland
Commercial solar is one of the most cost-effective ways for not-for-profit organisations to reduce energy costs and meet sustainability commitments. Unlike commercial businesses, charities and community organisations in Scotland have access to dedicated grant programmes that can substantially reduce - or eliminate - installation costs.
Scottish charities, community organisations, faith buildings, and schools can access grant funding for commercial solar PV installations through programmes including CARES, the Great British Energy public buildings programme, and local authority renewable energy funds. These grants are not available to commercial businesses. Eligible not-for-profit organisations can access grants covering up to 80% of installation costs. Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Organisations eligible for CARES or Great British Energy funding should begin their project scoping now - do not wait for a confirmed grant offer before engaging an installer.
About this guide
In practice, most successful grant-funded solar projects begin with a feasibility assessment and indicative design – not with a grant application in isolation. Understanding your project’s scope, system size, and financial position before approaching a grant administrator significantly strengthens your application and accelerates approval timelines.
This guide covers the main commercial solar grant programmes currently available for the not-for-profit and community sector in Scotland. Eligibility criteria, funding levels, and programme status are verified as of April 2026.
Funding sources that are not applicable to solar projects
Some commonly referenced Scottish funding programmes are not applicable to solar installations or not-for-profit energy projects. To save you time: the Robertson Trust (poverty and trauma reduction only), National Lottery Community Fund, Scottish Land Fund, Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, Participatory Budgeting funds, and RCGF 2 (social housing sector only) are not relevant routes for solar.
If you have been told a specific fund may support your solar project, Caledonia Solar is happy to review the eligibility criteria with you before you spend time on an application.
Working with Caledonia Solar
We support organisations from initial feasibility through to grant-aligned system design and delivery. Most successful grant-funded solar projects do not start with a grant application – they start with a properly scoped project.
Caledonia Solar provides formal feasibility assessments and indicative system designs that are structured to support grant applications. We do not administer grant funds, but we ensure your project is designed and documented in a way that meets funder requirements from the outset.
Organisations that engage early are significantly more likely to secure funding before allocation limits are reached.
Eligibility
The grant programmes in this guide are exclusively for non-profit distributing organisations – they are not available to commercial businesses or private landlords. Eligible organisations typically include:
- Registered Scottish charities (OSCR-registered)
- Constituted community organisations and development trusts
- Faith buildings and religious groups
- Schools and publicly-funded education facilities seeking solar funding for schools in Scotland
- Community interest companies (CICs) – eligibility varies by programme
- Social enterprises with appropriate governance structures
- Housing associations – eligibility varies; specific decarbonisation funding routes apply
Commercial businesses interested in solar funding should visit our Funding Options page for information on CapEx, Asset Finance, and Power Purchase Agreement routes.
Grant Schemes
Current funding programmes
Grant programmes change regularly. We verify availability at the point of project enquiry. The list below is reviewed quarterly.
Part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), administered by Local Energy Scotland. Funds solar PV, battery storage, and heat pumps in community-owned or leased buildings. Max grant £80,000 covering up to 80% of eligible costs. Fund closes October 2026 or when fully allocated.
For community organisations wanting to own and operate their own renewable energy generation at scale. Provides grant and loan funding across feasibility, development, and construction stages. Competitive assessment - not first-come, first-served. Delivery deadline March 2027.
Great British Energy has committed a £180 million programme specifically for solar on public sector buildings - schools, leisure centres, and NHS facilities. The programme works through competitive tenders where delivery partners are appointed, not direct applications from building owners.
Funded by wind farm developer contributions. Supports community and voluntary sector projects delivering grassroots local community benefit in East Ayrshire. Capital and revenue funding available. Match funding expected in most cases. Contact EAC: 01563 578104.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The CARES Community Buildings Fund is the primary commercial solar grant programme for eligible charities and community organisations in Scotland. It provides grants covering up to 80% of eligible costs up to £80,000. Other programmes exist depending on your location and project scale. Caledonia Solar can advise on which routes may be available for your organisation.
In most cases no - grant programmes typically expect some match funding or contribution from the organisation. The CARES Community Buildings Fund covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Some exceptional projects may qualify for higher intervention rates, but this is at the administrator’s discretion and requires specific justification.
Most grant programmes require an installer quotation as part of a complete application. Caledonia Solar can provide a formal quotation to support your grant application without committing you to proceed until funding is confirmed. Contact us early - before your application deadline, not after. Remember: most successful projects begin with a feasibility assessment, not a grant application in isolation.
Schools with charitable status or community-run governance may be eligible for the CARES Community Buildings Fund. The Great British Energy public buildings programme specifically targets public sector buildings including schools and is likely to be the most significant route for solar funding for schools in Scotland under local authority ownership. Contact Caledonia Solar for current programme status.
CARES applications are queued on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant offers cannot be issued until after the May 2026 Scottish election and a new Government is in place. Organisations should submit applications now to secure their queue position. All funded work must be completed by the programme deadline - October 2026 for the Community Buildings Fund.
Yes. East Ayrshire Council administers the Renewable Energy Fund (REF), funded by wind farm developer contributions. This provides capital and revenue funding for community and voluntary sector projects in East Ayrshire. Contact the Council’s Community Asset and Investment Team on 01563 578104 or eacrenewableenergyfund@east-ayrshire.gov.uk for current deadlines.
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