Sustainability & Blackpool Businesses – Your Questions Answered

Are there grants available? The Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy team answer this and the other questions most frequently asked by Blackpool businesses.

Since we launched in 2023, we’ve spoken to a lot of Blackpool business about the things they can do to operate more sustainably, lower their carbon footprint and reduce their energy bills. Also during that time, we’ve answered a lot of questions. So in this post, we’ve brought together (and answered) the most frequently asked ones.

How much will solar panels save my business and how can you help?

You’ll often see average energy savings rolled out online (you’ll probably have seen between 30% and 80% quoted), but it’s really important to have your premises audited to see how much solar panels could save you.

That’s because a solar installation’s effectiveness will vary enormously depending on its size and positioning. Not every roof is suitable for panels. Every roof will have a natural limit to the number of panels you can fit on it (which will limit the amount of power you can generate). And even then, you’ll want to achieve the optimal sweet spot between outlay and return.

We can help with all of that, helping you understand whether your business could benefit, and to what extent. We’ll also connect you with our trusted solar panel suppliers and installers, all of them local to Blackpool, to get quotes.

Are there grants available?

While there currently aren’t any grants available under the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy, we are able to help businesses find external funding and support you during the application process.

Even more importantly from a long-term perspective, we always focus on ways to help you reduce the energy you use, several of which will be low or no cost. You could then use those savings to help finance other sustainability technologies and initiatives.

Do we get tax relief or other allowances when we invest in energy saving technology?

Yes, and they can help reduce the amount of tax you pay.

Not only can you claim capital allowances, when you buy certain qualifying energy efficient low or zero carbon technologies for your business, you can access “enhanced” capital allowances which increase the first year allowance to 100% – so you can deduct the full cost from profits before tax.

Qualifying products must be new and unused and include EVs with zero emissions, EV charging equipment, equipment for biogas and hydrogen refuelling.

Additionally, since April 2022 VAT has been reduced to 0% for certain energy saving products including solar panels and installation.

To find out more about the most tax efficient way to invest in sustainable equipment, talk to us.

Who are you?

A very common question! We’re the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy and we help local businesses (whatever the size or turnover) understand their carbon footprint and find tailored, personalised routes to lower it.

We’re driven by Blackpool Council, with funded support from the UK Government. Our support helps local businesses. But it also helps to bring Blackpool closer to its carbon reduction ambitions.

To find out more about us, other academies, and all the support available to Blackpool businesses, please visit blackpoolunlimited.com

To implement energy reductions similar to this in your Blackpool business, speak to Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy.