Communities across the country have been given a helping hand in realizing their dream of utilizing Solar power with Carmichael Brown Renewable Energy through the RCEF (Rural Community Energy Fund).

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) helps rural communities access the money needed to carry out feasibility studies into renewable energy projects, and fund the costs associated with applying for planning permission.  With the necessary funding available projects will then be able to attract private finance to pay for renewable energy kit and get projects up and running. Funding can be used to support rural projects across the renewable and low carbon energy spectrum including wind, solar, biomass, heat pumps, anaerobic digestion, gas Combined Heat and Power and hydro.  Carmichael browns can assist in the application process right the way through to feasibility study, survey and installation stages.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“This investment will help kick start hundreds of clean green energy projects in rural areas across England. This new fund will give aspiring communities access to the cash they need to make this happen.”

“Not only can local generation bring people together, boost local economies and drive forward green growth, it can help save money on energy bills too.”

How the Fund Works:

• The RCEF offers funding in two stages.  There is a grant of up to £20,000 on offer for feasibility studies into renewable energy projects in local areas. Once these studies have been successfully completed, communities can then apply for a loan* worth up to around £130,000 to help with project costs, such as seeking planning permission and relevant environmental permits.

*The loan is repayable to Government once projects have received the necessary private sector funding required to get them up and running. Community groups will need to pay back a set amount on top of the loan borrowed which will be rolled back into the fund to help support even more community energy projects across rural England.