Funding can also go towards battery storage in a larger roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system.
Improving farm productivity grant opened its doors for initial applications on 25 January 2024. The window for the multi-stage process will remain open until 21 March 2024.
Farmers and contractors alike are eligible for certain funding pots provided they operate in the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Funding towards renewable energy sources such as solar panels are eligible under grant applications but this particular option is not open to contractors.
Solar grants run alongside the main farm productivity grant, providing financial incentive specifically for farm building and lagoon-mounted systems. Funding for solar projects are based on a 25 per cent grant of the total project. Meaning farms will require a project size of £60,000 to receive the minimum £15,000 grant which is capped to an upper funding limit of £100,000 per business application.
Applicants looking to apply for both solar funding and items such as ventilation control units which fall under the heading farm productivity grants, will have to submit two separate applications.
Funding for robotic and automated technology is also available, applicants can apply for grant funding between £25,000 and £500,000 with grants covering up to 50 per cent of the total cost.
Eligible equipment must fall into one of the two categories robotic or automatic, with specific criteria dictating the eligibility of a piece of equipment. The funding is aimed at both boosting farming productivity but also addressing labour shortages in the sector. Grant applications are competitive but building an application that benefits both the needs of the farm business and funding requirements could benefit successful implementation.
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The improving farm productivity grant application window opened 25 January and closes on 21 March for further information on how to apply go to, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/how-to-apply-for-the-improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2and-claim-payment
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