SME • Business Parks • Industrial Estates
Test Valley Business Solar Grant
Unlock 20% Off Your Commercial Solar Project
Following Absolar’s remote solar surveys across Test Valley’s industrial parks and business estates, Test Valley Borough Council has launched a targeted Business Solar Grant. This scheme contributes20 % of installation costs, up to £5,000 per project, helping to cut up-front expenses and reduce payback periods for businesses installing solar PV systems.
Why This Scheme Matters for Test Valley Businesses
- Support following Absolar’s surveys: Our remote assessments in summer 2024 identified high-potential commercial rooftops across Andover, Romsey, and neighbouring areas
- Local strategic funding: The grant is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aligned with TVBC’s Climate Emergency Action Plan
- Up to £5,000 per site: Helps offset solar installation costs and improves financial viability
Who Can Apply
To qualify, your business must:
- Bean SME (fewer than 250 employees, turnover under €50 million)
- Own, lease, or occupy premises on Test Valley business parks or industrial estates
- Install an MCS-certified solar PV system during the 2025–26 financial year
- Be actively trading, have a Test Valley business rates account and UK business bank account, plus valid insurances (e.g., public liability)
Key Dates
The funding is limited. Applications will be assessed on a first come-first served basis to ensure eligibility and deliverability, until the funding pot is exhausted. All projects must be complete and claim forms submitted by 20 March 2026. No project can be funded until any necessary approval has been obtained.
Where demand exceeds the remaining funding available, applications will be prioritised based on the following criteria:
- Impact of the project in terms of estimated cost savings and CO2 savings.
- Likelihood of deliverability by 20 March 2026.
- Size of applicant company – smaller independent businesses will be prioritised.
How Absolar Supports Your Grant Journey
- Verify eligibility using our remote survey data to confirm your rooftop qualifies.
- Develop your application, leveraging site-specific cost estimates and energy insights.
- Navigate the process, ensuring you meet council criteria and deadlines (projects must complete before 20 March 2026).
- Manage compliance, including MCS certification and ensuring no pre-work has begun before approval.
Ready to Secure Your Grant?
If Absolar’s remote survey already covered your site, you’re ideally placed to tap into this funding. We’ll:
- Confirm your eligibility
- Prepare a persuasive application based on accurate project data
- Guide you through the approval process to access the grant and move swiftly into installation
Click here to read about the grant on Test Valley’s Local Authorities website.
How Absolar Helps You Secure Grants
We simply the journey from eligibility to funding, and here's how we support your success:
1. AI-Powered Remote Solar Assessment
Our advanced, AI-driven analysis evaluates your building’s solar potential, estimating generation capacity, system size, and return on investment – all without needing a site visit.
2. Grant Mapping & Eligibility Check
We identify the most relevant funding opportunities – whether national, regional, or industry-specific – and assess your eligibility and potential grant values.
3. Application Preparation
Our team handles the paperwork for you. We compile and prepare all necessary technical documents, cost breakdowns, energy data, and supporting evidence for a strong, compliant application.
4. End-to-End Grant Support & Compliance
From application submission to liaising with grant administrators and preparing final compliance reports, Absolar manages the full process, ensuring you stay on track and in line with funding requirements.
Current Grants
Business Solar Grant by Test Valley Borough Council
The Test Valley Borough Council Business Solar Grant offers eligible businesses up to £5,000 towards solar panel installation, covering 20% of costs. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it’s designed to accelerate commercial solar adoption across local business parks. Spaces are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is essential.
Click here to find out more
Great British Energy Community Fund
The Great British Energy Community Fund (formerly the Community Energy Fund) provides grants for community-led clean energy projects, including rooftop solar, battery storage, EV chargers, and rural heat networks, with funding administered regionally through Local Net Zero Hubs. It offers up to £40,000 for feasibility studies and up to £100,000 for development-phase support, helping prepare projects to become investment-ready. The scheme prioritises community ownership and local benefit, supporting councils, charities, co‑ops, and social enterprises across England looking to deliver clean energy.
Find out more
Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) isn’t a grant, but it can significantly reduce the cost of going solar by allowing businesses to deduct the full value of their solar PV investment from taxable profits. This can lead to a substantial corporation tax saving, effectively funding part of the system. It’s one of the most straightforward and generous ways to support commercial solar investment through the tax system.
Contact Absolar for more support
Whitepaper - Unlocking the Potential of Commercial Solar
Our latest whitepaper is designed to help businesses and commercial landlords navigate the opportunities and challenges of solar energy adoption. This in-depth guide explores the key steps to developing successful commercial solar projects, whether you own a single property or manage a diverse portfolio. Drawing on our real-world experience, the whitepaper covers everything from assessing rooftop suitability to understanding performance guarantees and compliance requirements.
Crucially, it also breaks down the latest financing options available, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), capital investment models, and landlord-tenant cost-sharing strategies. For commercial landlords, we offer practical guidance on how to structure solar projects that align with lease terms and add long-term value to your properties. Whether you're looking to reduce operational costs, meet ESG targets, or attract sustainability-minded tenants, this whitepaper is your essential roadmap to making solar work for your business.
