Stimulating the growth of solar energy

Making solar energy cheaper

Solar energy is sustainable: it never runs out and produces no greenhouse gases. But the technology is still expensive, so government has introduced incentives to boost the use of solar energy. They include:

• Energy tax rebate

  For people who team up to generate their own sustainable electricity, for example by placing solar panels on the roof of a school or shed.

• Renewable Energy Grant Scheme (SDE+)

  This grant scheme is for businesses and non-profit organisation that produce renewable energy.

• Crediting electricity supplied to the grid

  Up to 2020, households that generate their own electricity can send surplus energy (from their solar panels, for example) that they don’t use back to the grid. They then receive a credit for this amount of electricity. The credited rate may vary from one provider to another.

• Sustainable energy investment grants (ISDE)

  Businesses and private individuals can apply for a grant to offset the cost of energy-saving equipment such as: heat pumps, solar water heating systems, biomass boilers and pellet stoves. The scheme runs from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. The budget for every grant year is announced in advance.