England, Wales & Northern Ireland

Grants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are administered by the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk). The helpline number is 0800 915 0990. You can apply online here or you can also submit a paper application form which you can download here.

On 31st March 2008, the government announced that the Householder stream of LCBP is extended by 15 months and grants will be offered until June 2010 or until funds run out. The scheme is due to close in 2011. IHS strongly advise that you carefully read the terms and conditions and guidance notes on the Low Carbon website before you commence the application process.
Important Note For Northern Ireland Grant Applicants
From April 1st 2008, funding for domestic grants in Northern Ireland is no longer available. Customers in Northern Ireland need to go through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme as above.

Key Conditions

As a general rule you should seek permission from your Local Authority planning department to install any microgeneration technology on your property. However, From 6 April 2008, the UK Government abolished the requirement for most householders in England to apply for planning permission for micro-renewables. See note on planning below.

You must undertake a number of energy efficiency measures before you are eligible to apply for a grant. These measures will ensure that you are minimising your energy requirements. Before applying you must have:
- insulated the whole of the loft to meet current building regulations (eg 270mm mineral wool loft insulation or suitable alternative installed cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls)
- fitted low eneryg light bulbs in all appropriate light fittings
- installed basic controls for your heating system including a room thermostat and programmer or timer
The monthly cap on funding no longer exists. Funding is available throughout the month for eligible applicants and, if you apply online, you can obtain an instant grant decision.
A grant cap of £2,500 exists per household is in place. Householders can apply for more than one technology but total overall funding is a maximum of £2,500 per household.
Strict grant offer periods are in place for installlations (eg. Solar Thermal - 3 month installation limit, Ground Source Heat Pumps - 6 month limit).
You are only entitled to apply for and receive a grant if you are an individual householder and the property is a permanent building.
You must be the freehold owner of the property, or owner of a long-lease (lease more than 21 yrs) with the owner's consent.
The property must be used principally by you or your family for your own private residential purposes. (No grant entitlement if the property is used for business purposes, including letting).
See note below regarding planning permission. * The renewable technology must remain installed and cannot be modified for a period of five years following payment of grant

Application Requirements

Complete application form
You may apply for up to three grants for each type of technology
You can receive grants for up to three properties, and you may install up to three different technologies at any one property
A separate application form must be completed in respect of each technology
A quotation is required from the main contractor (IHS) and any subcontractors where they make up more than 30% of the grant claim

Planning Requirements

Please note that this applies to applicants from England ONLY. Existing regulations stand for all other geographic locations. If you're installing a micro-renewable technology outside the parameters below, you should continue to apply for planning permission and ensure you can provide evidence of having received permission.

With effect from 6th April 2008, rules covering solar thermal, ground and water souce heat pumps, solar PV biomass heating and combined heat and power systems have been introduced. Micro wind and air source heat pumps will also be included once clearance with the EU Commission is completed. We'll keep you updated.

From 6th April 2008, the majority of micro-generation installations in England will be permitted (ie. they will not need specific planning approval from their Local Authority). However as some technologies (wind turbines and air source heat pumps) still require planning permission, LCBP will still ask applicants up front to confirm that they have approval or do not need approval.

Some exceptions exist to the changes in planning/permitted development (namely,wind turbines and air source heat pumps) as well as variations in the planning/permitted development rules such as conservation areas or listed buildings. To take this into account, LCBP will continue to ask applicants to self certify that they have received planning approval or don't require approval. Most importantly however, they will not require any further evidence on planning at the application or grant claim stages.
Solar Thermal Collectors became permitted developments from 6 April 2008
(ie no planning permission required if the property is not a listed building or in a conservation area). The "above roof" collector height has been agreed at 200mm which covers most above roof collector types.

For more information on the changes to planning and permitted development and how these affect LCBP, please visit the Information and Resources page of the LCBP site - http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/info/ where apparently a new link will be added shortly to give further guidance.

Local Councils

Some councils support funding for renewables. Check and see what your local council has to offer.

Accreditation Numbers

IHS Accreditation No MCS 1280

Product Accreditation Nos

Terra 5S – 45S    GSHP 6051
Terra Compact 5S – 12S (includes HGL option)    GSHP 6091
Terra Twin 1 x 8 – 2 x 12    GSHP 6092
Terra Max    GSHP 6102

Solar Panels ST1092