Great British Energy for business solar

In 2026 GB Energy's solar funding goes to the PUBLIC and COMMUNITY sector: state-funded schools and colleges, NHS sites, military sites, and (via the Local Power Plan) local authorities and community energy groups for buildings like libraries, leisure centres and community halls. Private commercial businesses CANNOT apply for a GB Energy grant to solarise their own premises. GB Energy engages the private sector only as co-investment partners and supply-chain contractors, not as grant recipients. GB Energy is the headline solar-funding story in the press, so businesses assume it's for them — it is not. It funds public and community buildings. A private SME cannot get a GB Energy grant for its own roof. Stating this plainly is more useful (and more credible) than implying access that doesn't exist.

Solar-for-public-buildings programme: up to ~£255m total across around 250 schools/colleges, ~260 NHS sites and military sites (including batteries) — in England ~£80m for around 200 schools and ~£100m for nearly 200 NHS sites (announced as a ~£180m schools-and-hospitals rollout). Separately, the Local Power Plan (published February 2026) is backed by up to £1bn to support locally-owned community energy projects, targeting an initial 1,000 projects and community ownership opportunities by 2030.

Private businesses: there is no direct application route for a GB Energy grant to fund your own commercial solar. State-funded schools/NHS sites: participation is arranged centrally (e.g. Department for Education selects schools) — you do not apply as a private firm. Community groups/local authorities: engage via the Local Power Plan / 'Community Energy in a Box' toolkit on gbe.gov.uk. As a private installer or investor, you may work WITH GB Energy through supply-chain or co-investment routes, not as a grantee.