What FETF was
DEFRA's Farming Equipment and Technology Fund paid fixed amounts towards listed items of kit that improve productivity on English farms — on-farm EV chargepoints and electric utility vehicles among them — with grants from £1,000 to £25,000. It never funded solar panels or batteries.
FETF's final round
The final FETF round closed at midday on 28 April 2026, and DEFRA is consolidating its farm capital grants. For solar PV, FETF was never the route — KMM checks what is genuinely open for your farm when we build your proposal.
Who could apply
FETF applicants needed a farming, horticulture, forestry or contracting business in England and a Single Business Identifier registered with the Rural Payments Agency. That RPA registration is also the starting point for any new DEFRA capital grant, so it is worth having in place.
Farm solar grant rates — the real picture
England: the Improving Farm Productivity grant contributed around 25% towards rooftop solar (and batteries fitted with it) that powered farm operations; ground-mount systems were excluded, and Round 2 closed on 31 July 2025. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own farm capital schemes, typically at 25–40% when a window is open.
How grant applications work
Farm capital grants follow the same pattern: apply through the Rural Payments service, wait for scoring, receive a grant agreement, then buy and install within the agreement's deadline before claiming. The rule that matters most: don't order kit or start work before your agreement is in place, or the cost usually becomes ineligible.
How applications were scored
Rounds were competitive: applications were ranked against the scheme's priorities and the budget available, so a valid application was not a guaranteed award.
Combining farm grants with Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
A grant reduces the qualifying capex for the Annual Investment Allowance. Example: £80k roof PV with a 25% farm capital grant (£20k) = £60k net capex. AIA deduction £60k × 25% corporation tax = £15k tax relief. Total support: £35k on £80k spend = ~44%.
Common application mistakes
Common reasons applications fail: (1) no Single Business Identifier registered with the RPA; (2) items or costs that don't match the scheme's eligible list or reference costs; (3) work started before the grant agreement; (4) missing evidence, such as a structural assessment for roof-mounted kit; (5) a project that can't be finished and claimed within the deadline.
What to do now
There is no further FETF round. If a farm solar project stacks up without a grant, the Annual Investment Allowance still gives 100% tax relief in year 1, and asset finance or a PPA can spread or remove the upfront cost. If you would rather wait for a grant, get your RPA registration in order so you are ready when DEFRA's next capital offer opens.
