LCBP1
Closed May 2010 - DECC's Low Carbon Buildings Programme householder stream is due to be open until late 2010 for heat generating technologies (solar thermal hot water, ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, wood fuelled heating) or as long as funds last. This funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Grants are available for the following technologies:
* Solar thermal hot water
* Ground source heat pumps
* Air source heat pumps
Wood fuelled heating (Biomass)
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme householder stream is now closed for electricity technologies (solar photovoltaics, wind turbines and small scale hydro). These technologies no longer qualify for funding. Information regarding each of the technologies is still available for reference you can click on the links below for more detail.
* Solar photovoltaics (PV)
* Wind turbines
* Small scale hydro
The following technologies may also qualify for funding once certified installers and products become available.
* Renewable CHP
* MicroCHP (Combined heat and power)
* Fuel cells
Applications for a grant are welcome from private individuals who own their own home and reside in properties located within England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland (excluding the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).
To be eligible for a grant you must have received a grant offer letter before work starts on your installation.
How will the application process work?
Applications are accepted on a rolling first-come-first-served basis. An outline of the process is as follows:
* Complete the energy efficiency measures required by the programme. This is to ensure energy use is minimised prior to installing a microgeneration technology to enable the most efficient use of the technology. For more details on the required energy efficiency measures please click here.
* Obtain planning permission for your installation if necessary or contact your Local Planning Authority to ensure that the installation is classed as a permitted development. Please click here for details on planning permission.
* Obtain a quote from an certified installer, ensuring that an certified product will be used. Please click here for details on certified installers and products.
* Make an application online. By applying online you will get an instant response to your request.
* After receiving a grant offer letter via email, contact your installer to confirm that they are able to begin installing the technology. The grant validity period varies by technology, please see the table below.
* After you have completed the installation and you have paid your installer, you should submit your grant claim documents to the Energy Saving Trust.
* The grant claim will be checked within 25 working days of receipt of all the documentation and, if in order, the grant will be paid to you.
* Please download a copy of the terms and conditions and the guidance notes to help you when using the online grant application system.
Paying for your microgeneration installation
As with any large purchase, or order, you may be asked to pay a deposit to confirm your order for a microgeneration installation. It is recommended that you do not pay more than a maximum deposit of 25% towards the cost of this prior to installation.
It is also advisable that payments are made using a credit card where possible. This method of payment offers some protection in the event that you are supplied with faulty goods, poor quality work or inadequate services; the credit company may be held equally responsible and therefore it may be possible for your deposit to be refunded (always check terms and conditions with your credit card company).
If you would like more details on purchasing products and your rights please see the Consumer Direct website or call 08454 040506 or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for more personalised advice.
Grant amounts and grant offer validity periods
The following table shows funding levels for each microgeneration technology and the grant offer validity periods within which claims must be submitted and received.
Please note the programme has closed to new applications for electricity generating technologies - solar PV, wind turbines and small scale hydro.
|
Technology |
Maximum Amount of Grant |
Grant Offer Validity Period |
|---|---|---|
| Solar thermal hot water | Overall maximum of £400 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
| Ground source heat pumps | Overall maximum of £1,200 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
| Air source heat pumps | Overall maximum of £900 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
| Automated wood pellet fed room heaters/stoves | Overall maximum of £600 or 20% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
| Wood fuelled boiler systems | Overall maximum of £1,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
| Solar PV | 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 |
|
| Small scale hydro | 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 |
|
Please note: There is a £2,500 grant cap per household. Householders can apply for more than one technology but the funding will be limited up to a maximum of £2,500 per household depending on technologies involved and to one grant per technology type.
