Lottery Money & The FiT

[Echo]

We have a client who potentially would like to install renewable energy systems using lottery funding.

My question is, would they still be able to claim the FiT? And where can I find the answer to this in writing.

 

[TedM]

You certainly can't claim FiTs if the system is grant aided by 'public funds' of any kind. DECC/OFGEM clarified the rules on that back in July. There are a couple of small exemptions but they would be unlikely to apply for PV.

Whether the Lottery Fund would be classed as public funds or not I'm not sure, but I have a feeling it would not be allowed. Your customer should check with the Lottery Fund and get a written submission from them stating whether their funds are deemed public or private. Grants from private sources are generally OK.

Have a look here Grants for general guidance. The strict legal stuff is in the FiTs Statutory Instrument Amendment here The Feed-in Tariffs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) (Amendment) Order 2011 under Article 8.

 

[flamefix]

Thanks Ted useful post I have a client for after the cut wondering the same, I think some of it will be private and some public, have to see if the project can be split so the private is funding the PV area of the construction and the public the building itself perhaps?

 

[TedM]

That would be a solution. As long as public funds are not used for the renewables then you can still claim the FiTs.

 

[Echo]

Thanks for the reply Ted, very useful, will clarify further with the client.