Grants for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Projects in Schools March 2010 Update

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1 Grants for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Projects in Schools March 2010 Update If your school is considering introducing micro regeneration technologies the following contacts may be of use to fund feasibility studies and part fund Capital projects. The funding is rarely 100% but more likely match funding but they can often be match funded against another grant. Feed in Tariffs Now Announced From April 2010 government will introduce new "feed-in tariffs". A price premium will be paid to homeowners, schools and businesses for every unit of electricity they generate from small-scale renewable technologies, such as solar photovoltaics (PV), wind and hydro installations. Power does not need to be exported to the grid to count but can be consumed by the building. These tariffs will aim to make the cost of installing such technologies more cost effective and to stimulate the market. The tariffs will last for 20 years, reducing slightly each year for most technologies and for 25yrs for Solar PV. Rates for the tariffs are now confirmed see link below: Typical school sized installations should see: Solar PV less than 4kw Wind Turbines >15kw 36.1p/kWh 24.1p/kWh Renewable Heat Technologies will join the scheme in April 2011 when schools with Biomass boilers, air source heating, ground source heating and solar thermal installations will also benefit from the scheme. The Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) The Community Sustainable Energy Programme will provide 8 million to communitybased organisations for the installation of micro generation technologies, such as solar panels or wind turbines and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. Last deadline for applications is October Feasibility study funding CSEP will provide up to 5,000 per application for project development grants that will help community organisations establish if a micro generation and energy efficiency installation will work for them. Grants can be up to 75% of the feasibility cost so schools must be prepared to spend some money towards this or match fund with another source. CSEP will assess project development grant applications on a first-come first-served basis and aim to let you know their decision within 20 to 30 working days. The form is fairly straight forward to complete with mostly tick boxes and only just two text boxes. Download the form below or apply on line: -

2 Be aware that studies funded by the project development grant must be carried out by one of the businesses listed on their register of consultants. See link below protected.pdf Capital Grants Capital grants are also available up to a maximum of 50,000. Be aware this application form is quite long and complicated and expects information which will only be available through some sort of feasibility study. Capital grants will be awarded on a competitive basis at quarterly Selection Panel meetings and projects with other match funding will be considered as stronger applications. Regional focus CSEP are particularly keen to receive more applications for projects in the North East as proportionally they have had fewer applications from these areas so far. Haydon Bridge High School where successful in the last round gaining an additional 49,000 towards their Eco Centre. Next round closes on: 7th May 2010 for decision by 16th June 2010 So time to get your feasibility study done first. Low Carbon Building Programme Phase II Funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change this source of funding is currently available until April It can be match funded against CSEP above and Organisations can apply for a maximum of up to 200,000 in grant funds per site New applications Since the introduction of Feed In Tariffs from April 2010 Applications for Wind Turbines and Solar PV are no longer being accepted. Remaining funds will be concentrated on thermal micro generation which is Biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps only. Note the upper limit for heat technologies has been raised to 300kW which is fine for a 420 primary school but might not necessarily heat a large high school. There are some limitations on products and installers but they are more flexible than CSEP above. Heating only applications can be made throughout 2010 but applicants will have to claim their grant by the end of February Please note that this scheme ends on 1st April 2011 when the Renewable Heat Incentive will be introduced

3 Larger boiler projects 6th round of funding announced 15th Dec 09 The 6th Round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme funded by DECC The purpose of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme is to promote the efficient use of biomass for energy, by stimulating the early deployment of biomass fuelled heat and biomass combined heat and power projects. It will do this by awarding capital grants towards the cost of equipment in complete installations. This round will be funded by DECC and is for England only. Although there is no minimum size, this grant is really aimed at boilers over 300kw which are not eligible for the CSEP and Low Carbon Buildings Phase II above. The Maximum grant available to each project, irrespective of location or type of organisation may not exceed 40% of the difference in eligible costs of installing the biomass heat boiler or combined heat and power plant compared to installing the fossil fuel alternative. Applications need to be received by 30 th March 2010 or until the funding runs out. visit If you wish to take up this opportunity please contact Jill Collinson at County Hall first as applications must be submitted by the ultimate owner of the installation i.e. NCC. Naturesave Community Renewable Energy Grants The Naturesave Trust (part of Naturesave insurance) provides start up 'seed corn' grants for community renewable energy projects, whatever type of renewable power generation you, as a community, are considering. The costs involved can be onerous and The Naturesave Trust recognises that many lenders and investors may be reluctant to put money into a project at an early stage as it may or may not get past the planning stage. They may be able to assist, and are keen to help communities, in particular, that do not have the initial start up capital to undertake all the preliminary work to get to the planning stage and most importantly for the community to retain as much control as possible over the operating income once the project has been successful. More details available via the link below

4 North East Community Foundation This organisation hold funds on behalf of a number of local charities and legacies. Local community grants available at: This is a generic application form you submit details and they find the most suitable fund to match it to. A response usually takes two weeks. Northumberland National Park Funding Guide Some good ideas for those based both in and around the park, including a regular fund raising bulletin you can register to receive. Utility Companies Green energy funding from Utility companies Almost all companies provide a fund and you don t have to be a customer! The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) is a statutory obligation that requires the 6 major energy suppliers in Great Britain to deliver carbon dioxide emissions reductions in the domestic sector. As part of this obligation many also provide grant funding to community groups including schools. A selection of the best schemes are shown below More details available at: Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT EDF energy No need to be an EDF customer to apply For Feasibility studies they will fund up to 5,000. Next deadline is 30 th August or full capital for projects limit is 15,000 to be match funded can be by applying to other grants such as Low Carbon Building Programme above or through school funds. Next deadline is 30 th August also have a great web site with useful teaching resources

5 E-On Sustainable Energy Fund E-On have now secured funding for They are therefore welcoming new applications The next deadline is October 8 th The fund is available to community groups, charities and not for profit organisations across England, Scotland and Wales and we invite applications for grants of up to 20,000 to install renewable energy items such as wind turbines and solar PV. The maximum grant awarded is 90% of the total cost of the measures applied for. Follow the link below for more information Scottish Power Green Energy Trust Will grant up to half the cost of the chosen renewable technology There is a maximum award of 25,000 but most projects receive around 10,000. The maximum amount would only be awarded to exceptional projects that tick all the boxes and demonstrate real value for money. Projects also need to have a really strong community benefit and wider educational element Projects are selected each April and October NPOWER Solar PV buy back trial Microgeneration Scheme As part of their investment in renewable technologies and initiatives, npower is undertaking a microgeneration trial in which they will engage in buy-back agreements with customers that wish to export any excess electricity that they produce from their microgenerators. Northumberland Schools use Npower as their main supplier so may be eligible for inclusion in the trial however the cost of the system must be paid for by the school. PV systems and their installation are supplied by Ecofirst Ltd and you will need to enter into a contract direct with Ecofirst Ltd for its supply and installation Click here for more details Contact For help and advice with grant applications please feel free to contact me details below Jill Collinson Capital Projects Officer Carbon Management County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF Tel: or Jill.Collinson@northumberland.gov.uk Blackberry