Many community buildings operate on tight budgets, with heating and lighting accounting for a significant share of running costs. When grant funding becomes available, it can feel like a welcome opportunity, one that can set up your community building for the long term when it is done right.
The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is currently offering funding to support community and faith organisations to install Solar PV and Battery Storage. As this is a short-term pilot and demand is expected to be high, projects that are well prepared and straightforward to deliver are the most likely to succeed.
However, solar alone is rarely the full solution.
Community buildings are rarely used predictably. Different rooms are often booked at different times by different groups, and energy systems are frequently left running based on fixed schedules rather than real demand.
This was the challenge we faced when we started work for Strichen’s Ritchie Hall, a busy community centre with multiple spaces, including a hall, gym, and bar. Each area was booked independently, but heating was controlled using manual time switches in every room. Every time a new booking came in, someone had to visit the building to adjust settings, a time-consuming task that often resulted in heating being left on when rooms were empty.
Rather than focusing on a single technology, the solution at Strichen Hall started with an energy audit to better understand how the building operated on a day-to-day basis.
New heating systems were installed and connected to an energy management system, allowing heating to be controlled remotely and adjusted to match actual bookings. This removed the need for manual intervention, reduced wasted energy, and made the building significantly easier to manage for those running it.
Outdoor lighting was also upgraded. The car park lighting now dims when no vehicles are present and automatically brightens when cars arrive, improving safety while delivering meaningful energy savings.
Importantly, the system was designed with flexibility in mind. In future, the heating can be linked directly to the booking system, further reducing administration and improving efficiency.
The CARES Community Solar Fund can support Solar PV and Battery Storage, but successful projects start with a clear understanding of the building and its energy use. Before applying, community organisations should consider:
How and when energy is used across different spaces
Whether heating and lighting are already set up for efficient, flexible control
Once optimised, define the appropriate size and design of the right solar system for your building’s requirements
The most suitable location for solar panels, whether roof-mounted or ground-mounted
Whether the project can be delivered within the required timescales
An energy audit is often the best place to start. It provides clarity on current energy use, identifies inefficiencies, and helps ensure that any funded measures deliver real, long-term value rather than surface-level improvements.
CARES funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with all work needing to be completed and claimed by 31 March 2026. Grants of up to 80% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant amount of £80,000, are available.
This presents an ideal opportunity for community buildings that are ready to act, yet, as always, with grant funding preparation matters.
The most effective projects are those where technology perfectly suits your building’s energy requirements. Smarter energy management doesn’t add complexity; it removes it.
If you would like to book an energy audit, get in touch with use GH Smart. We’re happy to provide practical advice on whether solar or wider energy management makes sense for your community building and help you understand your options.
To learn more about the CARES Community Solar Fund and check eligibility, visit the Local Energy Scotland website: https://localenergy.scot/funding/cares-community-solar-fund/
