- System size
- 500 kW - 2.5 MW (portfolio)
- Capex
- £450k-£2.25m
- Modelled payback
- 5.5 yrs
- G99 timeline
- Ask NPg
Why group / multi-site corps solar works on Northern Powergrid
Group / multi-site corps in the Northern Powergrid territory share three structural advantages for solar PV programmes:
- Sub-vertical fit. Multi-site group corporations operate 3-15 campuses under a single corporation board, enabling a single funding application where a scheme allows it, consolidated procurement, and phased delivery across multiple summer windows.
- DNO characteristics. Northern Powergrid covers the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Check its published connection guidance and network capacity information before sizing the array; constraints vary by substation.
- Funding routes to check. Status verified 20 October 2026: Salix has no scheme open for England, the Scottish and Welsh Salix loans are open, and PSDS Phase 4 is closed to new applications. The North East, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire combined authorities may run decarbonisation programmes; check each authority current programme.
Colleges in the Northern Powergrid territory
For orientation only, these group / multi-site corps sit in the NPg territory. This is not a list of clients or completed projects:
- NCG Newcastle
- Hull College Group
- Sunderland College (EPNE)
- Bishop Burton College
- Askham Bryan College
- DN Colleges Group
G99 connection planning
For group / multi-site corps on NPg, installs in the 500 kW - 2.5 MW (portfolio) band need a G99 application and DNO approval before connection. Ask NPg for its current published timescales and plan the application early: the DNO process is usually the critical-path item.
Detailed regional DNO guide: Northern Powergrid G99 connections for college solar.
Funding stack for group / multi-site corps on NPg
- Salix funding — no scheme open for England (20 October 2026); Scottish and Welsh loans open
- PSDS Phase 4 — closed to new applications in November 2024
- FE Capital Transformation Fund — embedded sustainability inside major refurb
- T-Level Capital — for new workshop builds with embedded solar
- MCA decarbonisation grants where applicable to specific campuses