Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) & Salix for business solar

PUBLIC SECTOR bodies in England only (plus reserved functions in the devolved administrations): central government, local authorities, NHS trusts, schools, colleges, universities and other bodies meeting the 'public authority' definition under the Procurement Act 2023. Private companies are explicitly ineligible. Administered by Salix Finance on behalf of DESNZ. PSDS is frequently mis-listed on 'commercial solar grant' pages, but a private business will never qualify — full stop. It is also a heat-decarbonisation scheme first (heat pumps/heat networks), so even eligible bodies use it primarily for heating, not solar PV. Including it here is purely to set the record straight for private buyers.

Phase 4 capital funding by financial year: £86m (2025/26), £427m (2026/27), £427m (2027/28). Grants require applicants to contribute at least 12% of total project costs. The scheme funds low-carbon heating (e.g. heat pumps, heat networks) and associated energy-efficiency measures — solar PV is generally supporting/enabling at best, not the core purpose.

Not applicable to private businesses — do not attempt to apply; you are ineligible. Eligible public bodies apply through Salix Finance when an application window is open (the Phase 4 window has already closed). Public bodies can access the linked Low Carbon Skills Fund via Salix to develop heat-decarbonisation plans.