FUNDING & GRANTS
Business Energy Scotland SME Loan Scheme
Capital expenditure shouldn't be a barrier to lowering your overheads. Greentech Scotland helps eligible businesses access up to £100,000 in interest-free government loans and receive up to £20,000 in cashback grants for renewable energy projects. We guide you through the entire application process, from technical modelling to funding approval, ensuring your transition to Net Zero makes immediate financial sense.
How the Funding Works
The Scottish Government, via Energy Saving Trust, offers one of the most generous renewable incentive packages in the UK. It is designed to de-risk the investment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Interest-Free Loan (0% APR)
You can borrow up to £100,000 to cover the installation cost of commercial solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps.
Term
Repayable over up to 8 years.
Rate
0% Interest.
Benefit
In many cases, the monthly loan repayment is lower than the savings on your electricity bill, making the project cash-positive from Month 1.
Cashback Grant
(Free Money)
Successful loan applicants currently receive a cashback grant of up to £20,000.
Mechanism
This is non-repayable. It effectively acts as a direct discount on the system price.
Example
If your system costs £40,000, you could receive a £10,000 grant, meaning you only repay £30,000 interest-free.
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is open to VAT-registered businesses in Scotland that meet the definition of an SME (fewer than 250 employees) and have been trading for at least 12 months. It is also available to registered charities and non-profit organisations.
Do you qualify for funding?
Funding rules are strict. Use this quick checklist to see if your business meets the core criteria for the Business Energy Scotland scheme before we begin your technical survey.
Get Paid for Excess Generation
Don't give your energy away for free. Even with battery storage, your system may generate more power than you can use during peak summer months. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) ensures you are paid for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send back to the National Grid.
How SEG Works
The SEG replaces the old Feed-in Tariff. Energy suppliers (like Octopus, EDF, Scottish Power) are legally required to offer an export tariff to small-scale generators.
Current Rates
Rates vary between suppliers (typically 4p - 15p per kWh).
Our Role
We install the necessary MCS-certified export meters and provide the commissioning certificates you need to sign up for the best available SEG tariff.
Tax Efficiency for Directors
For Finance Directors, the business case for solar goes beyond lower bills. Investment in "green plant and machinery" currently attracts significant tax relief options in the UK.
Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
Most businesses can claim 100% tax relief on qualifying capital expenditure (up to £1 million) in the year of purchase. This means you can deduct the full cost of your commercial solar system from your taxable profits, significantly reducing your Corporation Tax bill for that year.
Special Rate Pool (50% FYA)
If you have already used your AIA allowance, solar PV creates a "Special Rate Pool" asset. Until March 2026, you can claim a 50% First Year Allowance (FYA) on this expenditure. (Note: Greentech Scotland are not tax advisors. We recommend consulting your accountant to confirm your specific eligibility.)
How We Manage Your Application
Government forms can be complex. We handle the technical heavy lifting to maximize your chances of approval.
1
Technical Quote
We conduct a site survey and provide a formal quotation. The funding body requires this to demonstrate the system cost and projected carbon savings.
2
Carbon Report
We generate a detailed performance report showing exactly how many tonnes of CO2 your project will save. This is the key metric Business Energy Scotland uses to approve the grant.
3
Portal Support
We guide you through the online portal application. Once submitted, approval typically takes 2-4 weeks.
4
Work Begins
Only once you receive your "Loan Offer" letter do we sign contracts and schedule the installation.
The 2026 Commercial Solar Funding Guide
Funding pots are finite and rules change annually. Download our definitive guide to the SME Loan Scheme, SEG rates, and tax incentives. Includes a "Funding Readiness Checklist" to prepare your application.
Funding & Grants FAQs
Does the loan cover battery storage?
Do you offer private asset finance?
Can I apply if I have already started the installation?
Is the £20k cashback guaranteed?
Secure your funding before the pot runs out!
The interest-free loan scheme is one of the best financial products on the market. Let’s get your application submitted.
