Solar panels for charities that cut bills and fund your mission

Genuinely "free" solar usually means one of two things. The first is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), where a funder pays for and owns the system and you simply buy the electricity it generates at a fixed price below the grid rate. There is no upfront cost, and the savings start from day one. The second is a fully grant-funded installation, where bodies such as the National Lottery Community Fund, the Great British Energy Community Fund (aimed at community-owned energy projects) or a charitable trust cover the capital cost.

Be wary of consumer-style "free solar" adverts aimed at homeowners, because they rarely fit charities. For most charities the realistic position is a heavily discounted system: 0% VAT removes the 20% VAT charge, and grants or a PPA can cover much or all of the rest.

In most cases, no. Since 1 February 2024 (until 31 March 2027, after which the reduced 5% rate is due to apply) the installation of solar panels is zero-rated for VAT in Great Britain where the building is used for a relevant charitable purpose (non-business use) or as relevant residential accommodation. That means qualifying charity installations attract 0% VAT, so the 20% VAT charge is not added to the price before any grant is even considered.

The charity provides the installer with a simple VAT declaration confirming the qualifying use. Where a building has mixed charitable and business use, the relief is apportioned. An installer should help you confirm eligibility and complete the paperwork correctly.

The main routes are: the National Lottery Community Fund (community and voluntary organisations); the Great British Energy Community Fund (which builds on the former Community Energy Fund) for community-owned energy projects; Local Energy Scotland's CARES scheme in Scotland; rural community building funding via the ACRE network for village halls; and capital grants from charitable trusts and foundations such as the Garfield Weston and Bernard Sunley foundations. Sports clubs can also access Football Foundation and Sport England funding.

These can often be stacked with the automatic 0% VAT saving and Smart Export Guarantee income. The right combination depends on your cause, location and building. Mapping it correctly is the single biggest factor in getting a charity solar project funded.

Most community buildings need a 5-40 kW system. As a guide: a village hall or small charity premises typically needs 5-15 kW costing roughly £6,000-£18,000; a community centre 10-30 kW at £12,000-£35,000; a sports club 15-40 kW at £18,000-£45,000; and a hospice or larger charity HQ 30-100 kW from £35,000 upward. These figures already assume the 0% VAT charity rate.

What you actually pay depends on roof type, access, electrical works and whether you add battery storage. Send your details and we reply by email; any fixed-price quote comes from whichever installer you choose.

For community buildings, simple payback is typically 6-9 years, after which the electricity is effectively free for the remaining 15-20+ years of the system's life. Buildings with steady daytime use, such as community centres, charity shops, animal rescue centres and hospices, sit at the shorter end because they use more of what they generate. Buildings used mainly in evenings and at weekends, such as village halls and scout huts, sit slightly longer but benefit more from Smart Export Guarantee income and battery storage.

Grant funding shortens payback dramatically, and a PPA removes the upfront cost entirely in exchange for lower but immediate savings.

Trustees should be satisfied on four points: that the project is in the charity's interests and consistent with its objects; that it is properly funded (and that any restricted funds are used appropriately); that the building and any lease permit the works for the system's full life; and that the risks of roof condition, planning and maintenance have all been assessed.

A good proposal has exactly this in mind: a clear payback case, a note on funding routes including 0% VAT, confirmation of roof suitability, and a plain-English summary your board can minute. Charity Commission guidance on managing charity property and reserves is the relevant backdrop.