Boost Your Business with Eco-Friendly Tech: Grants and Incentives You Can’t Miss

As businesses across the UK strive to reduce their environmental impact, the government has introduced a variety of grants and incentives to support the adoption of green technologies. From EV charging infrastructure to solar panels and energy storage, there are numerous opportunities to save on installation costs and make your operations more sustainable. Below, we outline the government grants and incentives available for commercial clients—highlighting those that apply to new grid connections as well.

(Links to our references included in each bullet title)

1. EV Charging Infrastructure

The UK government is heavily investing in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and businesses can benefit from several initiatives that make installing EV chargers more affordable.

• The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS):
  This grant helps businesses offset the cost of purchasing and installing electric vehicle charging points at their premises. The WCS provides up to £350 per socket for up to 40 sockets across all sites, with no minimum or maximum requirement for the number of chargers installed.
  Note: If you are installing a large number of chargers or upgrading your electricity infrastructure to accommodate increased demand, you may also need to consider a new grid connection, for which additional funding might be available through DNO (Distribution Network Operator) schemes.
  • Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions:
    This grant is for state-funded schools and education institutions to install electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their site(s). You can get 75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints up to a maximum of: £2,500 per socket & 40 sockets across all sites including any applications made previously via the Workplace Charging Scheme

2. Solar Panels

Commercial businesses can take advantage of a scheme to support the installation of solar panels, contributing to both cost savings and sustainability goals.

• The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG):
  The SEG provides payment for any surplus energy you export to the grid. This is an important incentive for businesses with solar panels, as it allows you to earn money for the energy your solar system generates but doesn’t consume. While this isn’t an upfront grant, it’s a valuable long-term incentive for businesses with solar installations.

3. Battery Storage

Battery storage is a key technology for businesses looking to manage their energy consumption efficiently. It allows you to store surplus energy generated by solar panels, reducing your reliance on the grid during peak times.

Sadly at this time there are no specific grants for businesses implementing battery storage on their site from the UK Gov, since the ‘The Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from Renewable Energy Sources and High-efficiency Cogeneration’ scheme ended in 2022.

New grid connections may be required to accommodate the integration of battery storage systems, particularly for larger businesses or those in rural areas with limited grid capacity. Some DNOs offer financial support for upgrading connections to support such technologies.

4. Induction Cookers for Commercial Kitchens

Induction cookers are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional gas cookers in commercial kitchens, offering faster cooking times and greater energy efficiency compared to their gas powered counterparts.

• Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme:
  Under the ECA scheme, businesses can claim tax relief on the purchase of energy-efficient equipment, in some cases this includes induction ovens. This allows you to deduct the full cost of the equipment from your pre-tax profits in the year of purchase, providing immediate financial relief.
  In some cases, businesses upgrading their kitchen infrastructure may also need to upgrade their electrical supply. If your existing grid connection can’t support the new equipment, a new grid connection or upgrade might be necessary, which could potentially qualify for funding through specific DNO programs.

5. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are an excellent low-carbon solution for heating and cooling commercial spaces. The UK government offers a range of grants and incentives to support the installation of these systems.

• Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme:
  Under the ECA scheme, businesses can claim tax relief on the purchase of energy-efficient equipment, this includes some Heat Pumps. This allows you to deduct the full cost of the equipment from your pre-tax profits in the year of purchase, providing immediate financial relief.
  If you are installing a heat pump system as part of a larger project that involves substantial electrical upgrades, a new grid connection may be required to support the system. Some DNOs offer financial assistance for these upgrades, so it’s important to explore your options.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government scheme that offered financial incentives to businesses installing renewable heating systems such as air source and ground source heat pumps, closed in 2021.

6. New Grid Connections

For businesses looking to implement multiple green technologies, including EV chargers, solar panels, and battery storage, a new grid connection may be necessary to support the increased energy demand.

• Connection Offer and Funding Support from DNOs:
  Some Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) provide financial support or offer incentives for businesses upgrading or installing new grid connections that accommodate green technologies. Depending on the scale of your project, these programs can help cover the costs of connection charges and necessary infrastructure upgrades.
  Example: The Flexible Energy Scheme
  Under the Flexible Energy Scheme, businesses can access funding to upgrade their connection or make improvements to their local grid to integrate renewable energy technologies. This scheme helps reduce the upfront costs of new connections and infrastructure, making it easier for businesses to adopt green technologies without bearing the full financial burden. This has limiting factors on the capacity that the site can import/export, in return for financial savings.

However we can compare these standardised savings against our solution with a funded model, and we can almost guarantee to beat this without harming your energy flexibility.

Conclusion

Adopting green technologies is not only a smart business move—it can also significantly reduce your operating costs and carbon footprint. Fortunately, the UK government offers a range of grants, incentives, and schemes to support businesses in making the transition to more sustainable energy solutions. From EV charging points to solar panels and heat pumps, the opportunities for financial support are substantial.

If your project requires a new grid connection to accommodate your green technology, it’s important to explore the funding options available through DNOs, as many of these schemes can help offset the costs of upgrading your infrastructure.

For expert guidance on navigating these incentives and securing the right support for your business, get in touch with our team today. We can help you identify the best funding opportunities and ensure your green technology installation runs smoothly from start to finish.

Thank you for reading.

Best regards,

Thomas & Eva
Co-Founders