Solar PV Support Programme
Installing a solar energy system on your property through the Action Renewables Solar PV Support Programme, will help your organisation save money on electricity bills and protect it against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the current utility rates, and the profile of building usage.
As part of our charitable objectives, Action Renewables will assume all installation costs. Action Renewables will retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance and repair during the projected 20-year lifespan.
The environmental benefits include the supply of green energy generated from your own premises. This self-supply of electricity will offset the demand of fossil derived energy reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which contribute to climate change, and results in fewer air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems. Solar PV will offer significant carbon savings to the beneficiary and these green credentials can be promoted to key stakeholders.
Since, 2021 we have supported several voluntary sector organisations across Northern Ireland, helping to reduce their carbon footprint (see the list below) through the generation of renewable electricity and making a significant financial impact through cost savings. The programme to date has delivered:
220,580 kWh of renewable electricity, offsetting over 51 tonnes of carbon emissions, the equivalent to sequestration of planting circa 2458 trees. To date beneficiaries have saved over £27,000 collectively.
Current programme recipients include:
- Belvoir Studio Theatre
- Action Renewables
- Aonach Mhacha
- Ardaluin Regeneration Trust
- Erne Gaels
- Transport Training Board
- Ballee and Harryville Community Enterprise
- Carrickfergus Sea Cadets
- Armagh Theatre Co. Ltd
- Watty Grahams GAC
- St.Peter’s Social Club
- Beyond the Battlefield
- Gilford Community Club
- Knock Community Association
- Moneyneena & District development initiative
- Morning Star House
- Moy GAC
- Newry Street Unite
- Ortus Properties
- Portstewart Presbyterian Church/Mens Shed
- Culmore Community Hub
- Strabane Community Project
Solar PV programme brochure download
Applications can be submitted via the online form below, and once identified, we will provide funding for small scale energy generation, initially through solar pv installations. The receivers will either own or have a long-term lease (5+ years) on their building. Action Renewables will retain full ownership of the solar system and we will cover all installation and maintenance costs. Action Renewables will invoice the customer pro-rata for electricity generated from the solar panels at a reduced cost compared to grid electricity.
We have developed selection criteria noted below. If you wish to apply you will need to have a baseload demand greater than 12kW. Action Renewables will require visibility of 12 months electricity bills or half hourly data if your property has a half hourly meter installed.
The programme is open to applications from community groups, social enterprises, amateur sports clubs and non-profit organisations.
For further information please check out the FAQ’s or please contact the Head of Charity Delivery on Email
The Action Renewables Solar PV Support Programme has delivered on 20 projects across Northern Ireland. To find out more about the process and listen to testimonials from Carrickfergus Sea Cadets and Moy GAC, watch the video above.
PV Installation Criteria
All projects supported must be in Northern Ireland.
- Open to the voluntary sector who either own or have a long-term lease on their building. Long term being defined as 5+ years.
- If the applicant is a charity it must be a registered charity in Northern Ireland.
- Applicant must satisfy a feasibility study with a baseload demand greater than 12kW.
- Agree to install a 12kW PV on target property – 3 phase commercial connection.
- Applicant must sign a rental agreement with Action Renewables.
- If your building is rented or leased, then the landlord must agree to the project. An agreement must also be signed with the landlord in the event of a change of end user or if the landlord sells the property.
- Agreement to proceed and install is at the discretion of the Management and Board of Action Renewables.
In these difficult times any cost savings that can be made are vital to the operation of a small charitable organisation like the Belvoir Players Amateur Dramatic Society. As you can imagine with the demands of an extensive theatrical sound and lighting system in our Studio Theatre, we use a lot of electricity to deliver our stage productions. It has been a pleasure to be able to work with Action Renewables on a solar panel installation which will produce renewable energy and make a significant potential saving in our electricity costs. This saving will assist in our ability to provide entertainment for our community and will also secure the provision of the drama education we provide for our Youth Academy and our adult members.
Roger Dane, Theatre Manager with Belvoir Players
We are thrilled to have received this programme of support allowing us to generate our own renewable electricity for the Sea Cadets building. As a non-profit organisation we have been experiencing a sharp rise in operational costs from electricity usage and to have been successful in securing this funding from Action Renewables, which will help us reduce our electricity costs has been fantastic. With the winter months upon us this couldn’t have come at a better time.
Nigel Thompson of Carrickfergus Sea Cadets
Transport Training Board are proud to be working alongside Action Renewables, in a true demonstration of collaborative working across Social Enterprises. The installation of 38 solar panels on the roof of our light vehicle workshop compliments TTB’s commitment to renewable energies. We jumped at the chance to partake in this Action Renewables initiative, and as the cost of electric starts to spiral out of control the installation of our system in June, could not have been better timed. The system was installed efficiently with no disruption to our working day and was rewarding us with cheaper energy from the outset, returning any surplus to the grid!
Michael Strain, CEO Transport Training Board
Enquire below
Our team will contact you within 24 hours, Monday-Friday.
Our 2024/25 programme is now open for applications.