Renewable energy and community energy

Regional community energy organisations

• Big Solar Cooperative: The Big Solar Co-op is a new approach to subsidy-free community solar, supported by Sharenergy (as below)
• Community Energy – Sharenergy: Local people within a community come together to develop an energy project, with capital raised by selling shares
• Shropshire and Telford Community Energy: A 'community benefit' society to develop and own community energy projects in Shropshire and Telford

Solar incentive for homes and businesses

• Support for Solar Panels: Smart export guarantee (SEG), a specially designed tariff that reimburses you for energy exported to the National Grid. Find out more from The Energy Saving Trust or speak to your energy supplier
• Great British Energy Local Power Plan – Expression of Interest: GBE is launching an Expression of Interest process for communities and local government to share project ideas; it is described as a first step and not a formal funding application. Source: GBE Local Power Plan document. Who's it for? Communities and local government (as described in plan)
  
• Great British Energy Partnership Fund (emergence and development grants): GBE is exploring a Partnership Fund to back joint local government and community energy group projects, intended to build early-stage project viability. Source: GBE Local Power Plan document. Who's it for? Local government and community energy group joint projects (as described)
  
• GBE Capital Toolkit (launch referenced) (GBE): GBE states it will publish investment allocations and launch a Capital Toolkit in Summer 2026 containing financial support options (grants/loans/investment). Source: GBE Local Power Plan document. Who's it for? Communities, community energy groups, local government (as described)
  
• Innovate UK Innovation Funding Service – live competitions (Innovate UK (UKRI)): Single portal listing current competitions, with closing dates and eligibility; use filters for net zero/energy calls and collaborative bids with Catapults/universities. Who's it for? Varies; some allow UK public sector to lead collaborative projects
• Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) – RIIO-3 Innovation Challenges (opens 26 May 2026) (Ofgem / Innovate UK (delivered through network companies)): Innovation funding for trials/new products and services to improve network connections, resilience and system balancing; new challenge areas announced for RIIO-3. Who's it for? Energy network companies lead bids; innovators, local authorities and partners can participate in consortia