New Solar Grant Launched for Test Valley Businesses

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has officially launched a new grant to help local businesses invest in rooftop solar energy. The scheme is designed to reduce upfront costs, improve return on investment, and support the Borough’s wider climate goals by accelerating the switch to clean electricity.

Learn more about this grant here: Business Solar Grant Test Valley

Remote Solar Survey

In 2024, TVBC have commissioned Absolar to conduct remote solar surveys of larger premises on the business parks within the Borough. These surveys reveal:

• The size of system capable of fitting on each roof (in areas subject to suitable radiation and avoiding obstacles, including skylights).
• The potential financial and environment savings such a system could deliver.
• The potential installation cost and return on investment.

The results are delivered by mail to the occupiers of each premises. If you haven't received the report, you can contact Absolar to obtain your copy for free.

In the letter sent to eligible occupiers, Graham Smith, Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development at Test Valley Borough Council explains:

We recognise the significant challenges caused by climate change, and we are committed to working with partners to help reduce emissions across our borough.
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--- Graham Smith, Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development at Test Valley Borough Council

In this project, Absolar used advanced LiDAR technology and analysed every commercial rooftop in the region. The combination of satellite data, AI, and geospatial analysis reveal significant potential for Test Valley properties to adopt solar PV systems.

Test Valley benefits from some of the highest solar radiation levels in the UK, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation. By installing rooftop solar panels, commercial buildings can drastically reduce their electricity consumption from the grid and lower monthly energy bills. If your property is outside the Test Valley region, you can still request a remote solar survey here.

Test Valley Solar Grant

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 provides a one-off contribution of 20% of the costs of solar installations to a maximum of £5,000 for commercial premises on the borough’s business parks and industrial estates. The aim is to reduce the initial outlay costs and the payback times of solar installations and so help small and medium sized businesses to decarbonise. Landlords, leaseholders or occupiers can apply. These grants follow on from the remote solar surveys sent out to commercial premises last summer.

The grant scheme is being funded using part of TVBC's 2025-26 allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund provided by the UK Government, and supports the Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan. All installations must take place this financial year to be eligible.

Cllr Alison Johnston, portfolio holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside, said: "I’m delighted we can offer these grants as it is vital we support the businesses on our business parks as they take steps to reduce their emissions.

These grants for solar panels are not just an investment in sustainability, they're also an investment in our community's future and I would encourage eligible businesses to get in touch to see how we can help."

--- Cllr Alison Johnston, portfolio holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside

How the Grant Can Help You

• Reduce the upfront cost of installing solar PV
• Improve return on investment through grant support
• Support ESG targets and carbon reduction efforts
• Provide energy resilience and long-term cost stability

Whether you need guidance on eligibility, assistance with the grant application process, or support in turning your rooftop into a clean energy asset, we’re here to help.

How Absolar Supports Your Application

As the delivery partner for last year’s borough-wide survey, Absolar already holds detailed solar feasibility data on hundreds of commercial properties in Test Valley. This puts us in a unique position to help you quickly understand your eligibility and get your application underway.

We can support your business by:

• Providing a tailored solar feasibility report based on your building
• Identifying relevant funding levels and scheme requirements
• Assisting with application preparation, including technical and financial documentation
• Guiding you through the grant process from start to finish, including compliance and reporting

Whether you’re an SME, landlord, manufacturer or office-based business, if your building has solar potential, we’ll help you unlock it.

Take the First Step Today

If you're based in Test Valley and considering solar, we can tell you whether your roof is eligible — with no need for a site visit. From there, we’ll help you make a confident, well-supported funding application.

Contact our team to find out more and begin your solar journey.

👉 Contact Absolar for more support: survey@absolar.co.uk
👉 Request a Remote Solar Survey for your property: click here
👉 Visit the official page by Test Valley Borough Council

Let’s power a brighter, cleaner future for Test Valley — together.

Contact Information

👉 Call us: 02382 680 106
👉 Email us: info@absolar.co.uk
👉 Visit us: Engineering Centre, Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7NP