UK MAT solar — May 2026

Solar for UK multi-academy trusts — trust-wide rollouts after PSDS closure.

PSDS Phase 4 closed November 2024 but the active 2026 stack for MATs is still strong — Salix interest-free loans, LCSF, Local Growth Fund, and PPA frameworks for larger trust portfolios. The trust-wide approach beats single-school bidding on every measurable axis.

The 2026 MAT solar funding stack

Salix interest-free loans (separate from closed PSDS)

Long-running Salix programme for public sector. Interest-free loans repaid from energy savings — effectively zero net cost over the loan period. Active in 2026. Typical loan amounts £100k-£3m per project. Full Salix Finance guide →

Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF)

Salix-administered programme funding HDP (Heat Decarbonisation Plan) work and broader decarbonisation strategy. Typical awards £25-80k per estate. Recommended starting point — keeps trusts ready for any future PSDS Phase 5.

Local Growth Fund (where eligible)

For MATs whose schools are within the 11 Mayoral Strategic Authority areas (GMCA, WMCA, Liverpool, WYCA, SYMCA, NECA, Tees Valley, EMCCA, YNYCA, Hull/EY, Lancashire). Full Local Growth Fund guide.

Great British Energy Community Fund

For community-benefit elements of trust-wide programmes. Particularly relevant where schools host community use (sports facilities, community halls, after-hours access).

Power Purchase Agreements

For trust portfolios of 15+ schools, PPA frameworks become viable. Single funder covers all schools; per-site call-offs as readiness allows. Tariff 5.8-7.0p/kWh for typical trust-portfolio PPAs.

Trust-wide rollout structure

Six-step trust-wide rollout pattern that wins:

Trust-wide LCSF application for refreshed HDPs across all schools (4-8 weeks)
Carbon scoring across the trust — averaged scoring lets weaker schools ride on stronger ones
Procurement framework selection — ESPO MSTAR3 or YPO Frameworks for installation; CCS RM6168 for consultancy
Salix BAU loan applications for the strongest-payback projects (running in parallel)
Per-school call-offs with 8-12 week delivery cycles
M&V reporting through the post-commissioning monitoring period

Worked example — 12-school MAT in 2026

A typical 12-school multi-academy trust with mixed primary and secondary schools across two boroughs in Greater Manchester:

LCSF application (HDP refresh): £35k awarded — covers all 12 schools
Salix BAU loan applications across 8 strongest-payback schools: £2.4m loan totalling solar PV + LED + BMS upgrades
Local Growth Fund (GMCA): £180k contribution to integrated package
Trust capex contribution: £0 capex; £24k internal project management costs
Annual energy savings post-commissioning (across 12 schools): £180k
Loan repayment from savings: ~5 years
Net annual savings to trust after loan repayment: £180k/year for 18+ years

Schools & education solar — broader sector guide
NHS & healthcare solar — adjacent public sector
Salix funding (BAU loans + LCSF)
Local Growth Fund
Oakhurst Academy Trust case study — 6-school PSDS-funded rollout

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MAT solar FAQs

Can multi-academy trusts still get solar grants in 2026?

PSDS Phase 4 (the headline trust solar grant) closed November 2024 to new applications. Active 2026 routes for MATs: Salix interest-free loans (separate from PSDS, repaid from energy savings), Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) for HDP and decarbonisation strategy work, Local Growth Fund where the trust's schools are in eligible Mayoral Authority areas, Great British Energy Community Fund for community-benefit elements, and Power Purchase Agreements for trust-wide programmatic rollouts.

How does a MAT-wide solar rollout work in 2026?

Multi-academy trust solar rollouts typically combine: (1) trust-wide LCSF application for refreshed HDPs across all schools, (2) Salix BAU loan applications for the strongest-payback projects, (3) PPA framework where school portfolio is large enough for funder interest (typically 15+ schools), (4) procurement through ESPO MSTAR3 or YPO frameworks. Setting up the trust-wide framework takes 6-9 months; per-school call-offs are then 8-12 weeks each. We have run trust-wide programmes for trusts of 4 to 14 schools.

What's the case for a trust-wide approach vs single-school applications?

Trust-wide approach almost always wins. Per-school application overhead is largely fixed; spreading it across 8-14 schools materially reduces cost-per-school. Carbon scoring averages across the bid, so weaker schools can be carried by stronger ones. Strategic narrative scores higher than fragmented single-school bids. Procurement through one framework is cleaner. We have audited single-school applications that lost; the same project bundled into a trust-wide bid would have won.

How do PFI-built schools fit into a MAT solar rollout?

Approximately 60% of post-2002 secondary schools in some regions (notably Greater Manchester) are PFI-built. PSDS would not typically fund PFI assets where the PFI provider is responsible for energy infrastructure. Workarounds for PFI schools: (1) PFI provider applies with the trust's support — adds 3-4 months to programme, (2) split rollout between PFI and non-PFI schools, focusing capex on non-PFI first. Most multi-academy trust rollouts we have run have separated PFI from non-PFI in the application strategy.

Can MATs use Power Purchase Agreements for solar?

Yes — and PPAs are increasingly used for larger trust portfolios. Trusts with 15+ schools have signed multi-MWp PPA frameworks since 2023. The structure: one PPA funder covers all schools in the trust portfolio; per-site call-offs as readiness allows. Trust covenant strength is good for PPA funders (state-funded entities with stable income). Tariff economics 5.8-7.0p/kWh for typical trust-portfolio PPAs.

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