If you run a business in Nottingham, there's a solid chunk of funding sitting on the table that could cut your solar and battery installation costs in half. We're talking about the Nottingham City Council Business Decarbonisation Grant 2025-2026 – a scheme offering up to £10,000 to help local businesses go green.
Important timing note: This grant scheme has strict deadlines. The grant has been extended to June 2026. If you're reading this and thinking "that sounds good," the time to act is still now—because the application and delivery timeline can fill up quickly.
What's the Grant All About?
The Nottingham Business Decarbonisation Grant is designed to help local businesses reduce their carbon footprint while cutting energy costs. It's part of Nottingham City Council's wider commitment to making the city more sustainable and helping businesses thrive in the process.
Here's the deal: eligible businesses can receive up to £10,000 in grant funding that covers 50% of your project costs. That means if you're looking at a £20,000 solar and battery installation, you'd only pay £10,000 out of pocket, with the grant covering the rest.
The Match Funding Model
Let's be clear about how the money works, because it's important. This isn't an upfront payment – you'll need to fund the entire project initially, then claim back 50% afterwards. So you need to have the full project cost available, but you'll get half of it reimbursed through the grant.
For many businesses, this 50% match funding model makes renewable energy installations far more affordable. The payback period on solar systems is already attractive, but when you're only paying half the installation cost, the numbers become even more compelling.
What Projects Qualify?
The grant covers capital investments in energy reduction measures, and we're pleased to say that solar panels and battery storage systems are both eligible under this scheme.
Solar Panel Systems
Commercial solar installations are one of the most effective ways to reduce your business energy costs. With energy prices where they are, generating your own electricity makes serious financial sense. The grant explicitly lists solar panels as eligible energy production infrastructure.
A typical commercial solar installation can reduce your electricity bills by 30-70% depending on your usage patterns and system size. When you factor in the 50% grant funding, you're looking at a return on investment that beats most other business investments.
Battery Storage Solutions
While the official guidance focuses heavily on solar panels, battery storage systems are an increasingly important part of any commercial renewable energy setup. Batteries allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it during peak rate periods or after dark, maximizing your savings.
The combination of solar and batteries gives you the greatest control over your energy costs and provides backup power security for your business operations.
Who's Eligible?
Not every business can apply, so let's break down the eligibility requirements:
Location Requirements:
- Your business must be registered within Nottingham City Council boundaries
- If you're leasing your premises, you need at least 12 months remaining on your lease
Business Requirements:
- You must have been trading for at least 12 months
- You need to be registered at Companies House or have an HMRC Unique Tax Reference number
- Home-based businesses are not eligible
Project Requirements:
- The investment must be a capital expense (not revenue costs)
- Projects must be completed by February 2026
- You must be able to fund 100% of the project cost upfront before claiming back 50%
The grant amount ranges from £1,000 to £10,000, though there's flexibility for compelling business cases to receive up to £15,000.
Other Eligible Investments
While we're focused on solar and batteries here at Live Solar, it's worth noting that the grant covers other energy efficiency measures too. These include LED lighting upgrades, building improvements like insulation, boiler replacements, heat pumps, and energy-efficient manufacturing equipment.
This means you could potentially combine solar installation with other improvements to maximize your grant allocation and overall energy savings.
The Application Timeline
Here's where timing becomes crucial. The grant operates in two stages:
- Expression of Interest: You submit initial information about your business and proposed project
- Full Application: If approved to proceed, you submit detailed quotes and project plans
Given that we're now in February 2026 and projects must be completed this month, the practical window for new applications has effectively closed or is down to the wire. However, if you've already started the process or can move extraordinarily quickly, it may still be possible.
Key Dates:
- Project completion deadline: End of February 2026
- Final claims submission: March 6, 2026
Why Choose Live Solar?
We're MCS accredited installers with extensive experience in commercial solar and battery installations across Nottingham and the surrounding areas. As a veteran-owned business, we bring military precision and reliability to every project we undertake.
Our team understands the grant application process and can provide the detailed quotes and documentation you need to support your claim. We've helped numerous businesses navigate similar funding schemes and maximize their renewable energy investments.
More importantly, we design systems that actually work for your specific business needs. Every business has different energy usage patterns, roof configurations, and budget considerations. We don't do one-size-fits-all – we create tailored solutions that deliver real returns.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the immediate financial benefits, installing solar and battery systems positions your business for the future. Energy costs aren't going down, and environmental regulations are only getting stricter. Businesses that invest in renewable energy now are protecting themselves against future cost increases and regulatory changes.
There's also the reputational benefit. More customers and clients are making purchasing decisions based on environmental credentials. Being able to say your business runs on renewable energy is increasingly valuable from a marketing perspective.
What Happens Next?
If you're a Nottingham-based business interested in solar and battery storage, here's what we recommend:
Immediate Action Required: Given the February 2026 deadline, if you want to take advantage of this grant, you need to move fast. Contact us immediately to discuss your eligibility and whether it's feasible to complete a project within the remaining timeframe.
For Future Reference: Even if this particular grant window has closed by the time you're reading this, there are often other funding schemes available. It's worth having a conversation about your renewable energy options regardless. The business case for solar and batteries stands on its own merits, even without grant funding.
We can provide a no-obligation site survey and quote that gives you a clear picture of what solar and battery installation would cost, how much you could save, and what funding options might be available.
Making It Happen
The Nottingham Business Decarbonisation Grant represents a significant opportunity for local businesses to invest in their future while cutting their energy costs. The 50% match funding effectively halves the payback period on your solar and battery installation, making it one of the smartest investments you can make.
The clock is ticking on this particular scheme, but the broader opportunity to reduce your business energy costs through solar and batteries remains as strong as ever.
Get in touch with Live Solar today to discuss how we can help your Nottingham business harness the power of renewable energy. Whether you're racing to meet the grant deadline or planning for the future, we're here to make it happen.