Solar funding for public buildings

Solar water heating can deliver significant savings for government organisations that use a lot of hot water. Using solar water heating can also help organisations reduce fossil fuel use.

Central and local government organisations, including schools, can apply for:

• Installation grants to reduce the up-front costs of installing solar water heating systems (up to 50% of the cost of residential installations, or $500 per square metre of panel for commercial installations, capped at $100,000)
• Installation grants for unglazed solar water heating for swimming pools, up to 25%
• Feasibility grants to support informed decisions about whether solar water heating is a cost-effective solution

NB. In some instances, a larger grant may be available where greater benefits can be demonstrated, for example, tennanted dwellings, or to provide increased education and awareness of renewable energy in schools.  (This does not apply to swimming pools)

Grants are available to government departments, territorial authorities, Crown entities, Crown-owned companies, district health boards, schools and universities.

Schools, military barracks, prisons, holiday camps and public swimming pools are among the facilities where solar water heating has successfully been installed with the support of a grant.

Criteria

Grant recipients must agree to the publication of information about their project.

Download the Grants for Public Buildings Scheme framework for full details on criteria before applying.

How to apply 

Applications are received and assessed throughout the financial year as funding is available.

Currently the fund is oversubscribed and applications are on hold until additional funding becomes available.  If you are planning to install solar water heating in a government building, please email solarfinance@eeca.govt.nz or phone 0800 358 676 and ask for a Grants for Public Buildings Advisor, to find out when the fund re-opens.