Executive Summary
Sustainable Planet SCIO proposes to develop a 1MW biodiversity-integrated ground-mounted solar farm on 4.41 acres of common good land in Forres, Moray. The farm will generate approximately 1,000,000 kWh of zero-carbon electricity annually, sold under a Power Purchase Agreement, with 100% of distributable surplus directed to charitable purposes through The Solar Fund for People.
This is a charity-owned asset. It is not a co-operative or community benefit society. Every pound of surplus is permanently dedicated to charitable purposes. No dividends will ever be paid to private individuals. The assets are governed by OSCR and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
The project was fully scoped in February 2026. Several early-stage funding windows have since closed. This prospectus presents the revised funding strategy, updated for June 2026, incorporating significant new routes that have opened since the original proposal — including the Great British Energy Community Energy Fund.
The July 2026 grid connection queue deadline has not yet passed. Submitting a G99 application now remains the single most urgent action required to keep this project viable.
Project Specification
| Element | Specification |
|---|
| Installed capacity | ~1.3 MWp (revised — see AES assessment below) |
| Annual generation | ~1,000,000 kWh/year (requires ~1.3 MWp installed capacity) |
| Panel type | Bifacial 450W+ solar PV modules |
| Mounting | Fixed-tilt, ground-mounted, grazing-compatible |
| Inverters | String inverters (grazing-compatible layout) |
| Biodiversity | Native wildflower sward; habitat corridors; bird and bat boxes; sheep grazing under panels |
| Site area | 4.41 acres / 17,855 m² — common good land, Forres |
| Ownership | Sustainable Planet SCIO (via wholly-owned trading subsidiary initially, transitioning to direct charity ownership) |
| Lifespan | 30–40 years with appropriate maintenance |
| Grid operator | SSEN or SPEN (confirmation of DNO required) |
Financial Case
Capital Expenditure
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|
| Solar panels (1MW @ 450W+ bifacial) | £210,000–£280,000 |
| Inverters and transformers | £90,000–£140,000 |
| Mounting structures | £80,000–£120,000 |
| Ecological enhancements (BNG, wildflower, grazing infrastructure) | £30,000–£60,000 |
| Grid connection (SSEN/SPEN) | £60,000–£180,000 |
| Design, engineering, project management | £50,000–£80,000 |
| Planning and legal (including common good consent) | £40,000–£80,000 |
| Installation labour | £120,000–£180,000 |
| Contingency (5–10%) | £40,000–£90,000 |
| Total Capital Cost (original estimate) | £750,000–£1,100,000 |
|---|
| AES Renewables revised estimate | £1,150,000–£1,200,000 |
|---|
Annual Revenue and Operating Costs
Revenue is generated through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a corporate or licensed energy supplier at a rate of £80–120/MWh.
| Item | Annual Figure |
|---|
| Generation (kWh) | 1,000,000 |
| PPA revenue (£80–120/MWh) | £80,000–£120,000 |
| Gross Revenue | £80,000–£120,000 |
|---|
| O&M, habitat management, monitoring, insurance, grid charges | £16,000–£35,000 |
| Net Profit Before Tax | £60,000–£95,000 |
|---|
| Corporation tax (19–25%) — subsidiary model | £11,400–£23,750 |
| Post-tax distributable to charity (subsidiary model) | £45,000–£75,000/year |
|---|
| Distributable if primary purpose trading confirmed (tax-exempt) | £60,000–£95,000/year |
|---|
30-Year Lifetime Benefit
| Scenario | Annual Distribution | 30-Year Total |
|---|
| Subsidiary model (corporation tax payable) | £45,000–75,000 | £1.35M–£2.25M |
| Primary purpose model (tax-exempt, if confirmed) | £60,000–95,000 | £1.8M–£3.0M |
Capital Allowances
Solar panels are classified as Special Rate assets for capital allowance purposes:
- 50% First-Year Allowance for expenditure incurred before 1 April 2026 (this window has passed; standard rates now apply)
- 6% Writing Down Allowance — available on an ongoing basis via the trading subsidiary
AES Renewables — Technical Assessment
AES Renewables, the Forres-based MCS-certified installer with direct local experience, reviewed the project proposal and confirmed it is technically sound. Their assessment corrects and refines several figures from the original feasibility study:
Capacity and Generation
The original feasibility study targeted 1.0–1.05 MW to generate 1,000,000 kWh/year. AES's assessment is that approximately 1.3 MWp installed capacity is required to reliably achieve that generation figure, accounting for real-world losses, local irradiance, and the specific site characteristics. The generation target of 1,000,000 kWh/year remains valid — the system simply needs to be sized accordingly.
Revised Capital Cost
AES provided an indicative cost for a 1.3 MWp system at this scale:
| Element | AES Estimate |
|---|
| PV supply and installation (Renusol ConSole ground-mounting) | ~£950,000 |
| Groundworks (site preparation and material supply) | £200,000–£250,000 |
| Total (Renusol ConSole system) | £1,150,000–£1,200,000 |
|---|
AES noted that a framed array structure may be more cost-effective at this scale but no comparative estimate is available yet. A formal tender process as part of the feasibility study would establish the most competitive price.
Grid Connection
AES are willing to facilitate the G99 DNO grid connection application, though they would charge for the time involved — the actual installation would not take place until 2030–35, making this a development-phase service rather than part of an installation contract. Their involvement would bring direct local knowledge of SSEN network capacity and DNO procedures.
Financial Model Questions to Resolve
AES raised three specific questions about the revenue model that the feasibility study must address:
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) eligibility: Whether a charity operating primary purpose trading on common good land can claim SEG payments for exported electricity. SEG is normally available to smaller generators but the charity-owned structure introduces complexity that needs a formal legal and regulatory opinion.
- Community kWh savings: How the electricity generated translates into tangible financial benefit for local residents — whether through a local tariff, community energy supply arrangement, or purely via the grant-making programme funded by PPA revenue.
- Infrastructure arrangements: The DNO connection point, metering, and any local distribution infrastructure required if electricity is to be directed to specific community users rather than purely exported to the grid.
These questions do not undermine the project — they are precisely the issues a professional feasibility study is designed to resolve. Addressing them will also strengthen funding applications and demonstrate project maturity to grid operators.
Legal Structure
Sustainable Planet SCIO's existing charitable purposes explicitly authorise renewable energy generation as a charitable activity — the same basis as Islay Energy Trust (SC037819) and Zero Carbon Daviot (SCIO). No constitutional amendment is strictly required, though one may be sought for clarity.
To manage tax risk and meet grid connection requirements, the recommended structure is:
| Phase | Structure | Purpose |
|---|
| 2026–27 | Sustainable Planet Energy Ltd (wholly-owned trading subsidiary) | Manage risk; claim capital allowances; secure grid connection; demonstrate project maturity |
| 2027+ | Sustainable Planet SCIO direct ownership | Tax-exempt primary purpose trading; maximise community benefit; simplify structure |
Profits from the subsidiary are gift-aided to Sustainable Planet SCIO annually, eliminating double-taxation at the group level. A King's Counsel opinion on primary purpose trading status should be commissioned in parallel to confirm the fastest route to full tax exemption.
Updated Funding Strategy — June 2026
The funding landscape has changed since the original project scoping in February 2026. Several deadlines were missed. However, significant new routes have opened, and the project remains fundable. The following represents the current best available funding picture.
New and Active Routes
| Fund | Amount | Status (June 2026) | Notes |
|---|
| Great British Energy — Community Energy Fund | Up to £1M+ | Active — open for expressions of interest | UK Government's GB Energy mandate. Specifically targets community and locally-owned renewable energy. Launched 2025. Strong alignment with this project's charity-owned model. |
| DESNZ Community Energy Fund | Up to £500,000 | Active rounds | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero — UK Government support for community energy development. Covers feasibility, development and capital phases. |
| Local Energy Scotland — CARES Capital Support | Up to £200,000 | Check current availability | The Development Fund closed but Local Energy Scotland continues to administer capital support for community energy. Direct contact essential — funds are allocated on a rolling basis. |
| Social Investment Scotland | £50,000–£500,000 | Ongoing | Blended finance (grant + loan) for community enterprises. Community energy track record. Can bridge funding gaps between grants and capital requirements. |
| Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) | Variable | Ongoing | Capital and development grants for community and social enterprises in the Highlands. Forres is within HIE territory. Requires demonstration of community benefit. |
| Foundation Scotland — Moray Area Funds | £5,000–£50,000 | Rolling deadlines | Foundation Scotland administers community benefit funds from nearby wind and energy developments. Postcode eligibility — IV36 covers Forres. Several funds open quarterly. |
| National Lottery Community Fund — Scotland | Up to £500,000 | Ongoing (larger programmes) | Awards for All (to £20k) and larger programmes available. Climate-positive community infrastructure is a current priority. |
| Scottish Government Just Transition Fund | Variable | Active | Supports communities in Scotland's transition to net zero. Community energy infrastructure is an eligible category. |
| Abundance Investment / Ethex — Community Bonds | £200,000–£2M+ | Ongoing | Community investment platforms enabling public investment in community energy at fixed returns. Complements grant funding; covers capital gap. Particularly suited to the primary purpose trading model. |
Closed / Missed Routes
| Fund | Deadline | Status |
|---|
| CARES Development Fund | February 2026 | Closed — missed |
| CARES Community Solar Fund | 31 March 2026 | Closed — missed |
| 50% First-Year Capital Allowance | 1 April 2026 | Passed — standard WDA now applies |
Grid Connection — Still Critical
The July 2026 deadline for securing a place in the 2030–35 grid connections queue has not yet passed. As of June 2026, a G99 application to SSEN or SPEN can still be submitted. Projects not in the queue by this date will be delayed until the CP35 allocation round — potentially 2028 or later, representing a two-year setback.
Submitting the G99 application now is the single most time-critical action for this project. It requires:
- Instruction of a DNO-accredited electrical consultant
- Demonstration of site control (heads of terms with Moray Council sufficient at this stage)
- Evidence of planning progress (pre-application advice request sufficient)
The cost of a G99 application is relatively modest (£3,000–£5,000 consultant fee). This should be funded immediately from charitable reserves or an emergency bridging grant application.
Planning and Biodiversity
The project aligns strongly with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4):
| NPF4 Criterion | Project Status |
|---|
| Non-prime agricultural land (not BMV) | Common good land — favourable |
| Community-led development | Sustainable Planet SCIO — confirmed |
| Community benefit delivery | £45k–95k annual distribution — confirmed |
| Biodiversity enhancement | Voluntary BNG, wildflower, sheep grazing — designed in |
| Landscape and visual impact | Requires professional assessment — not yet done |
Ecological baseline surveys must be undertaken during the growing season (April–September). The 2026 survey window is open until September — commissioning a CIEEM-registered ecologist now would allow baseline data to be collected this season, avoiding a further 12-month delay.
Volunteer and Community Structure
Project Steering Group (target: 7)
Board-level oversight of the development programme — monthly meetings, funder liaison, expenditure approval. Trustee and non-trustee members welcome. Time: 3–4 hours/month.
Community Engagement Team (target: 10)
Public meetings, surveys, newsletters, local media. The project needs a visible community voice — these volunteers represent it at community councils, events, and in local networks. Time: 1–2 hours/month.
Grant Writing Support (target: 3)
Individuals with grant application experience who can help prepare and submit funding applications to GB Energy, Foundation Scotland, and other funders. Time: as available during application periods.
Technical Advisers (target: 3)
Solar engineers, ecologists, planners, or finance professionals who can advise the Board on technical decisions. Pro-bono or reduced-rate professional support welcome.
Risk Register — Updated June 2026
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|
| Grid connection deadline missed (July 2026) | High if no action taken | Critical — 2-year delay | Submit G99 application immediately; instruct DNO consultant this week |
| Feasibility funding not secured before grid deadline | Medium | High | Fund G99 from reserves; pursue GB Energy and DESNZ in parallel; feasibility can follow grid application |
| Common good consent delayed by Moray Council | Medium | High | Early engagement; heads of terms sufficient for grid application; full transfer can follow |
| Planning refusal | Medium | High | NPF4-aligned biodiversity design; pre-application advice; community engagement first |
| GB Energy fund not accessible to SCIOs | Low | Medium | Charity-owned model is explicitly within GB Energy mandate; DESNZ as fallback; SIS loans available regardless |
| Capital cost exceeds estimates | Medium | Medium | Wide contingency range already included; value engineering options available; phased construction possible |
| PPA rates soften | Low | Medium | CfD floor price available; 30-year model remains positive at £70/MWh; sensitivity modelling confirms viability |
| Ecological survey finds protected species constraints | Low–Medium | Medium | Survey this season; adjust layout if required; biodiversity-integrated design already accommodates habitat needs |
Revised Implementation Timeline
| Action | Target Date | Status |
|---|
| G99 grid connection application | JUNE–JULY 2026 | URGENT — not yet submitted |
| Common good heads of terms with Moray Council | July–August 2026 | Not started |
| Ecological baseline survey commissioned | July 2026 (within growing season) | Not started |
| Planning pre-application advice | July–August 2026 | Not started |
| GB Energy Community Energy Fund application | Q3 2026 | In preparation |
| DESNZ / Community Energy Fund application | Q3 2026 | In preparation |
| Incorporate Sustainable Planet Energy Ltd (subsidiary) | Q3 2026 | Not started |
| KC opinion — primary purpose trading | Q3–Q4 2026 | Not started |
| Full planning application | Q4 2026 | Subject to pre-app advice |
| Capital funding secured | Q1–Q2 2027 | Applications in progress |
| Construction and installation | Q4 2027–Q1 2028 | Subject to planning consent |
| Commissioning and first export | Q2 2028 | Projected |
| Grant-making commences (Solar Fund for People) | Q3 2028 | Projected |
The Ask
We are seeking funding partners, community supporters, and professional advisers to help move this project from concept to construction. The immediate priority is modest: approximately £5,000–£8,000 to instruct a DNO-accredited consultant to submit the G99 grid application before the July 2026 deadline. Everything else can follow — but not without securing the grid connection first.
One million units of clean electricity every year. Every pound of profit to local people — fuel bills paid, bursaries granted, hardship met. A 30–40 year community asset on land that has always belonged to Forres. This is the project. All we need to do now is submit the grid application.
