Local Authority Grants
In addition to the BERR Low Carbon Building Programme there may also be local grants available in your area. Here are some of the existing funding schemes that we know about:
The Gloucestershire Renewable 
Energy Grant scheme
Gloucestershire County Council and District Councils have together contributed £110,000 for domestic renewable energy grants in the financial year to 31st March 2009. This will fund 110 domestic renewable energy installation grants at £1,000 each, allocated on a first come first served basis, with a minimum of 10 installations ring-fenced for each District (Gloucester City, Cheltenham Borough, Cotswold District, Tewkesbury Borough, and Forest of Dean District). The Gloucestershire Renewable Energy grants can cover up to two technologies and the scheme is being managed by Severn Wye Energy Agency.
Technologies eligible for a grant from the Gloucestershire Renewable Energy Grant scheme are: solar thermal, solar PV, ground source and air source heat pumps, micro-hydro, free standing (mast mounted) wind turbines, wood fuelled boiler systems and biomass room heater/stove (automated pellet feed).
Like the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grants they do require that certain energy efficiency measures are in place in your home and that the products and installers are accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
N.B Residents of South Gloucestershire are covered by the SG Futurenergy grant and Stroud District Council is managing their own grant scheme, through an extension of the WISE Homes grants (see below)
For more information on Gloucestershire renewable grant scheme click here
SG Futurenergy grants
SG Futurenergy is a partnership between South Gloucestershire Council and Severn Wye Energy Agency. It provides an advice service and offers grant support to make installation of microgeneration technologies more cost effective. The grant is for £500 towards the cost of the technology and the installation, and can be used in addition to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant.
Technologies eligible for a grant from SG Futurenergy are: solar thermal, solar PV, ground source and air source heat pumps, micro-hydro, free standing (mast mounted) wind turbines, wood fuelled boiler systems and biomass room heater/stove (automated pellet feed).
Like the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grants they do require that certain energy efficiency measures are installed in your home and that the products and installers are accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Residents in South Gloucestershire can also now apply for a low interest loan towards installing renewable technologies in their home. Up to £3,500 can be loaned at a fixed interest rate of 3% over a ?maximum of 10 years.
For more information on SG Futurenergy Grants and loans click here
Stroud Council WISE Homes grants
Stroud council provides grants for renewable technologies as part of the WISE Homes scheme. The grants are for up to £500 and are for the following technologies: solar water heating system, wood pellet room heater, wood pellet stove or boiler with radiators, ground source heat pump, micro wind turbine, micro hydro turbine, solar PV system.
The grants are not normally given for renewable installations that not supported by the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. However they do suggest that if you have an innovative or unusual scheme you should get in touch. In order to apply for you must use products and installers accredited under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
For more information on Stroud Council WISE Homes Grant click here
The Ouse Valley Energy Services
The Ouse Valley Energy Services Company was formed in 2007 by a group of Lewes residents to deliver a range of energy saving, renewable energy and related projects to the residents of the Ouse Valley & East Sussex . It has come from the Transition Town process, and has been founded by members of the TTL Energy Group.
For more information on Ouse Valley Energy Services click here
Leicester Solar Scheme
This new initiative is operating in partnership with Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and offers grant funding towards the cost of fitting either solar panels or a solar hot water system to your home. The amount of funding on offer is limited, so if you are interested, please visit the Groundwork website for further information and details on how to apply.
The Good Energy Shop is currently researching this area further and hope to provide an extensive list of possible options soon. However if you know about a local funding scheme in your area it would be great to hear about it on feedback@goodenergyshop.co.uk.