CARES Community Solar Fund

The Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is supporting community and faith organisations to install solar PV and battery storage in their buildings. This is a short-term pilot, funded by the Scottish Government and Great British Energy, with funds needing to be spent and claimed by 31 March 2026. Demand is expected to be high for this funding, with many communities already in a position to mobilise projects very quickly. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The fund provides up to 80% of eligible costs with a maximum grant amount of £80,000 to help decarbonise existing self-managed community buildings. Eligible community buildings include village halls, community centres, community hubs, sports facilities, and faith buildings. To be able to install within the pilot timescale, easier installation projects will be more suited to this funding, particularly those under 50kW of solar PV, on easily accessible roofs, and not in conservation areas or curtilage of listed buildings.