Mini solar farm installed earlier this year to provide power for Algar Lodge Farm Shop’s chillers, lighting and kitchen equipment Photo: DDC
As part of its commitment to cut carbon emissions and protect the environment, Dover District Council has given a grant of almost £10,000 towards new solar panels at a local farm shop and café near Deal.
The mini solar farm was installed earlier this year and is now generating clean renewable energy, helping to provide power for Algar Lodge Farm Shop’s chillers, lighting and kitchen equipment.
The award comes from DDC’s successful Green Energy Grant scheme, which is available for local businesses to secure match-funding toward energy saving projects.
Representatives from Dover District Council met with farm shop owner Jane Algar at her farm shop on Sandwich Road following the award of a £9,900 grant toward solar panels to help power up the local business.
Last year, DDC announced it had extended its successful Town Centre Business Grants scheme, to help small businesses reduce their carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency and cut costs. Local small businesses with up to 10 employees can benefit from a Green Energy Grant for up to 50% of their project costs, up to £10,000.
DDC has declared a climate emergency and committed to cutting the Council’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. It recently published a Climate Change Strategy to support its ambition for the whole district to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Cllr Chris Vinson, DDC Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance, Digital and Climate Change, said: “We are delighted that our Green Energy Grants are making a real difference for local businesses. We’re absolutely committed to reducing the district’s carbon footprint and, following the success of our Town Centre Business Grants in bringing empty properties back into commercial use, it’s fantastic that the extended scheme is now helping small businesses to improve their energy efficiency and cut their operating costs.”
For more information on Green Energy Grants, or to make an application, please see our Green Energy Grant pages.