by Emily Fedorowycz | Jul 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
For families living with disabilities, managing household costs can be an ongoing challenge – especially as energy bills continue to rise. The UK government’s ECO4 scheme is designed to ease that burden by providing free or heavily subsidised energy efficiency upgrades to homes that need them most.
If someone in your household has a disability, you may qualify for support that could include insulation, a new boiler, solar panels or other improvements, all aimed at lowering your energy bills and making your home more comfortable.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is the ECO4 Grant Scheme?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a government initiative that requires major energy suppliers to fund home energy efficiency improvements. The scheme runs until March 2026 and is focused on helping lower-income households, especially those with health vulnerabilities or high energy use.
The aim is to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions by making homes warmer, more efficient, and cheaper to run.
Can I Get Grants Help if Someone in My Home Has a Disability?
Yes. If someone in your household is living with a long-term health condition or disability, you may qualify in one of two ways:
1. Via Qualifying Benefits
If someone in your home receives certain means-tested benefits, such as:
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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Attendance Allowance
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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Universal Credit
…then you may automatically meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Via the ECO4 Flex Route
If you don’t receive qualifying benefits, you may still be eligible under something called “ECO4 Flex”, which allows local authorities to identify households that are vulnerable due to health or financial hardship.
This includes cases where a household member has:
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A disability or long-term illness made worse by cold or damp housing
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Reduced income due to full-time caring responsibilities
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A home with a poor energy performance (EPC rating D, E, F or G)
What Improvements Can ECO4 Cover?
Depending on your home’s needs, the ECO4 scheme may provide:
In many cases, these upgrades are fully funded, with no cost to the homeowner or tenant.
How Do I Apply?
The application process is simple and starts with checking your eligibility. Apply through the Better Housing Better Health website: https://www.bhbh.org.uk/
If you are interested in seeing if you are eligible for solar panels to reduce your energy bills, let us help you check for you!
If eligible, we would love the chance to quote for the work alongside other providers, as a thank you for helping you on your journey.
Why This Matters
Living with a disability often means spending more time at home and using more energy. Cold, draughty homes can make some health conditions worse, from arthritis to asthma. ECO4 is about more than saving money – it’s about wellbeing, dignity and equal access to a warm, safe home.
Useful Resources & Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more, here are some excellent external resources and official pages to explore:
by Emily Fedorowycz | Jun 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
If you’re a small business in North Northamptonshire with fewer than 49 employees, there is a golden opportunity you shouldn’t miss.
North Northamptonshire Council has just launched a match fund offering capital grants between £5,000 and £25,000. This is Round 1 of the Business Growth Grant Scheme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the deadline is 8am, Monday 23 June 2025. Whether you’re looking to install solar panels, battery storage systems, or EV chargers, this fund could help transform your business – and cut your energy bills for years to come.
What Can the Grant Fund?
The aim of this scheme is to help small businesses grow, innovate, and reduce costs. Here’s what it can cover:
✅ Solar panels and renewable energy systems
✅ Battery storage for solar-generated electricity
✅ Electric vehicle (EV) chargers for fleet or customer use
✅ Energy-efficient machinery and commercial equipment
✅ Infrastructure improvements to commercial premises
According to the council, this funding is specifically aimed at supporting projects that enhance productivity, innovation, and help businesses transition to Net Zero. Their guidance highlights that:
“Innovation is important for businesses and a priority for the scheme. This could include… improvements to reduce energy costs or emissions…”
Who Can Apply?
You’re eligible if:
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You are a micro or small business (fewer than 49 employees)
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You have been trading for at least 12 months
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Your business is based in North Northamptonshire (check your location on the NNC interactive map on their grants page)
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You can match at least 50% of the funding cost
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Your project will finish before 31 January 2026
Important: This grant is for capital projects only — that means things like equipment, building works or installations. It cannot be used for working capital, vehicle purchases, or staffing costs.
Why Consider Energy Projects?
Energy bills remain a major concern for businesses. Installing solar panels, batteries, or EV infrastructure helps to:
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Lower energy costs long-term
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Increase business resilience
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Reduce environmental impact
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Make a visible commitment to sustainability
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Future-proof your premises for upcoming green regulations
This is directly aligned with Mission 2 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund:
“Make Britain a clean energy superpower”
Plus, applications with a positive impact on Net Zero goals will be scored more favourably by the assessment panel.
How to Apply
To request an application form, email:
📩 ukspf@northnorthants.gov.uk
Include your name, business name, and business address.
📅 Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 8am on Monday 23 June 2025
⏱️ Projects must be completed and paid for by 31 January 2026
Top Tips for a Strong Application
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Be clear and simple — avoid technical jargon
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Get three quotes for any expenditure over £5,000
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Highlight how your project supports growth, resilience, and sustainability
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Explain how the grant will unlock innovation or efficiency
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Confirm your match funding is ready and available
Final Thoughts
With grants of up to £25,000 available, this is a brilliant chance to invest in your business, cut energy costs, and lead the way in green innovation. But you’ll need to move fast – applications close Monday 23 June at 8am and competition is expected to be strong.
If you’re ready to take a smart step toward sustainability, this fund could make it happen.
👉 Request your form now: ukspf@northnorthants.gov.uk
💡 Need help with your application? Get in touch with our team for support.
For full details, visit: Business Growth Grant Scheme – NNC Website
by Emily Fedorowycz | May 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
The GENR8 team are going to be attending this year’s Kettering Festival of Nature – and we’re bringing the sunshine with us!
The event will be held this Saturday 24th May at Wicksteed Park, from 10:30-17:00, and was organised by the Kettering Nature Group. We first connected with the Kettering Nature Group this year and have since been starting to support their aims to get more swift boxes installed across the area. Now we are very pleased to support this event, the first of it’s kind in Kettering.
As a company committed to helping people switch to clean, renewable energy, which helps our local environment, we plan to showcase just how fun, interactive and empowering solar power can be. We will be offering some alternative activities that we hope will pique people’s interests, including a solar powered VR headset and a rooftop solar challenge – come on down to our stall and check it out!
Explore Solar in Virtual Reality
Step into the future with our solar-powered VR headset. Play fun VR games such as Beat Saber on a headset charged on sunshine. Energy unlocks so many great things that we use everyday, as well as some more fun activities like this, and we want everyone to get to enjoy their energy. So come and have some fun with us and enjoy ours!
Charge Your Phone with the Sun
Running low on battery? We’ve got you covered. Pop over to our stand and charge your phone for free using solar power. No fuss, no emissions – just clean, renewable energy keeping you connected throughout the day.
Win a £100 Amazon Voucher – Try Our Solar Builder Tool!
Fancy winning a £100 Amazon voucher? It couldn’t be easier. Use our interactive Solar Builder Tool at the festival to see how many panels would fit on your own rooftop. It takes just a minute and gives you a clear picture of your home’s solar potential. Everyone who gives it a go will be entered into our prize draw!
Why We’re Involved
The Kettering Festival of Nature is all about celebrating the environment – and for us, that means showing how we can all play a part in protecting it. By making solar energy more accessible, affordable and exciting, we believe we can help people make choices that are better for their homes, their wallets and the world.
So come and find us at the festival – try the VR headset, charge your phone and meet our friendly team!
We can’t wait to see you there!
📍 Find us at: Kettering Festival of Nature
📅 Date: Saturday 24th May
🎁 Prize: £100 Amazon voucher for one lucky winner!
by Emily Fedorowycz | Apr 15, 2025 | Energy, Solar, Storage
As solar and battery storage is our specialty, we like to stay abreast of the latest industry updates and latest technology. The Solar & Storage Live Expo at ExCeL London spotlighted the UK’s ambitious strides towards a clean energy future and here the GENR8 Energy team report back. Key discussions we attended centred on the roles of Great British Energy (GB Energy), the National Wealth Fund (NWF), and the pressing challenges of grid capacity.
Great British Energy: Empowering Communities and Public Services
Dan McGrail, interim CEO of GB Energy, outlined the company’s aim to democratise the green energy transition. With an £8.3 billion commitment over the current Parliament, GB Energy has committed to:
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Invest £200 million in rooftop solar installations across approximately 200 schools and 200 NHS sites, potentially saving up to £400 million over 30 years. (More info here)
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Allocate nearly £12 million to support local authorities and community energy groups in developing clean energy projects.
These initiatives were really exciting to hear more about, not only as they will reduce energy costs but also foster local job creation and supply chain development.
National Wealth Fund: Catalysing Private Investment
The NWF, evolved from the UK Infrastructure Bank, is designed to stimulate private investment in the UK’s green economy. With a strategy to attract £3 of private capital for every £1 of public investment, the fund focuses on sectors like clean energy, transport, and advanced manufacturing.
Notably, the NWF has pledged £250 million in loan guarantees to enhance energy efficiency in social housing, aiming to retrofit homes with renewable energy solutions and improve insulation.
Grid Capacity: The British Energy Challenge
A recurring theme at the expo was the challenge of grid capacity. Developers often face delays of up to 15 years for grid connections, hindering the deployment of renewable projects.
In response, Ofgem has announced reforms to streamline the grid connection process, aiming to eliminate speculative projects that occupy capacity without progressing, thereby freeing up space for viable developments. One point was made about developers being encouraged to build in grid connections as standard which could ease the issue substantially.
Balancing Large-Scale and Local Solar Initiatives
While large-scale solar farms are essential for meeting national energy targets, they often face local opposition due to land use concerns. Conversely, rooftop solar offers a solution that minimises land impact and can be deployed rapidly. The government’s current strategy includes both approaches, recognising the need for a diversified solar portfolio.
What’s next
The UK’s path to a sustainable energy future hinges on coordinated efforts between public initiatives like GB Energy and the NWF, and the private sector. Addressing grid capacity issues and balancing large-scale projects with community-based solutions are critical steps in this journey. The insights from the Solar & Storage Live Expo underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment in achieving the nation’s clean energy goals and we need to keep talking and working through the challenges so we can become more energy resilient as a nation. This is a huge opportunity to help people and businesses – and the next few years are crucial.
by Emily Fedorowycz | Mar 31, 2025 | Uncategorized
We believe that looking after the environment starts right on our doorstep. That’s why we were proud to roll up our sleeves and take part in the Great Kettering Spring Clean on Saturday 29th March, alongside dozens of amazing volunteers and community groups who came together to help spruce up the town centre.
As a local solar energy company committed to creating a cleaner, greener future, it felt only right that we got involved! Not just as sponsors, but as hands-on volunteers too.
Lifting the Town Up, One Scaffold at a Time
To support the day of action, we sponsored a new piece of artwork on Lower Street, brightening up an area that had become tired and difficult to clean. The vibrant artwork now covers a dirty old shop fascia that had long been an eyesore—bringing colour, positivity, and a touch of creativity to the heart of the town.
To make it happen, we donated 4 hours of team time, provided our tower scaffold, and even used our extendable solar panel cleaning brush to help scrub and freshen up the shopfronts.
Jaime, GENR8 Director, said:
“This wasn’t just about cleaning – it was about pride. We’ve powered homes across Kettering with solar, but it was a pleasure to help power a bit of positivity into the town centre too. The artwork looks fantastic, and we’re proud to have helped put it up. A great team effort!”
Bringing the Whole Family to the Litter Pick
We were also out in full force for the community litter pick, joining forces with the brilliant Kettering Wombles, Teddington, and many community groups and other local volunteers. North Northamptonshire Council team members came on the day to collect the 130+ bags of litter that were picked.
Our Home Solar Lead, Andy Slater, brought his wife and young son, Alessio, who (armed with a litter picker almost as big as he was!) made light work of collecting rubbish and brightening up the streets.
Andy said:
“It was great to see so many people from all walks of life getting stuck in. My little boy loved being part of it – it’s never too early to teach the next generation the value of community and caring for the planet. We were glad to help in any way we could.”
A Town-Wide Effort
The day was a true community collaboration, with volunteers litter picking, painting, power washing, planting, and more. Groups like the Kettering Wombles, Teddington, and local councillors all played a key role in making the event a success.
We’d also like to thank the Northants Telegraph for covering the story and helping to showcase the brilliant work done across town. You can read their coverage here:
Thank You, Kettering!
We’re proud to be part of this community—and even prouder to see so many people working together to make it shine. Whether it’s solar panels or street art, we’ll keep finding ways to help build a brighter future for Kettering.
