Solar Panel Grants for Businesses in Northern Ireland

What is open, closed and paused

Every row links to the scheme's own page. If a company tells you a grant will pay part of the cost, ask for the scheme's name and check it there before you sign.

The NISEP solar grant through Power NI

The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) has funded a grant through Power NI towards business solar (Power NI):

• How much. A grant of up to 20% towards the cost of installing solar PV or solar thermal.
• Status. "The grant scheme for 26/27 has now closed for applications." Subject to funding approval, Power NI expects the next scheme to open in April 2027.
• Conditions. Only available in Northern Ireland, not suitable for new builds, subject to de minimis aid, and no orders or work before a grant offer.

If you would rather wait for the next round, a survey now tells you what your site can take and what it would cost, so you are ready to apply when it opens.

Invest NI: the paused grant and the advice

Invest NI launched its Energy Efficiency Capital Grant in April 2024. Its examples of projects included heating and cooling, motors and drives, compressed air, lighting and onsite renewable generation, and it was part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. After one year of operation, Invest NI paused the scheme to review its performance against the Department for the Economy's objectives (Invest NI). It had not reopened when we checked.

Invest NI still provides expert advice to Northern Ireland businesses on saving energy and reducing waste (Invest NI). Its helpline is 0800 181 4422 (nibusinessinfo.co.uk).

Getting paid for exports without the SEG

The Smart Export Guarantee, which requires some electricity suppliers to pay for exported power, covers Great Britain (Ofgem). In Northern Ireland:

• Export payments. Power NI buys exported electricity from small-scale generators. Payments are based on your meter readings, and its fixed rates are published each October (Power NI).
• No new ROCs. The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation closed to new generation in March 2017. Only systems accredited before then receive ROCs, for 20 years (nibusinessinfo.co.uk).
• What this means. The money is in the electricity you use yourself, which replaces power you would otherwise buy. Size the system to your daytime use and treat export as a bonus.

Sources: Power NI renewables, Power NI microgeneration, nibusinessinfo.co.uk. More on sizing: how much solar does my business need? and battery storage.

NIE Networks: connecting to the grid

Northern Ireland has one network operator, NIE Networks. Its routes for solar (NIE Networks):

NIE Networks publishes a capacity map of available network capacity for generation and demand, highlighting areas where reinforcement may be needed (NIE Networks). Your installer makes the application. More: grid connection for business solar.

Solar in Northern Ireland: the figures

Source: DESNZ regional renewable statistics, solar PV columns. The sites include homes and the capacity includes solar farms.

Planning, rates and tax in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's permitted development rules for non-domestic buildings (Part 37):

• On the building (Class A). No more than 20 cm proud of a roof slope that faces and is visible from a road; on a flat roof, no more than 2 metres above it and not within 2 metres of its edge; not above the ridge. In a conservation area or World Heritage Site, not on a wall or slope facing and visible from a road. Listed buildings need listed building consent.
• Stand-alone (Class B). No higher than 2 metres, at least 5 metres from the boundary, up to 30 square metres.
• Rates. Generating plant of 50 kW or less is not rateable. Above 50 kW it is rateable, and self-consumption plant is valued with the property (Department of Finance).
• Tax. Capital allowances apply: the Annual Investment Allowance covers up to £1 million of qualifying spending a year.

Sources: Department of Finance, GOV.UK. More: planning permission, business rates and capital allowances.