Quick answer
The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme is a UK-wide programme run by DCMS that reimburses VAT (currently 20%) on qualifying works to listed places of worship — including solar PV installations. Effectively a 20% discount on the headline capex for listed-building works. Apply within 12 months of each invoice date.
Full answer
The scheme has run continuously since 2001, funded directly by HM Treasury. It was created to address the anomaly that listed places of worship attract full 20% VAT on repair works while comparable non-listed buildings can sometimes use reduced rates. Solar PV installations on listed places of worship typically qualify.
Eligibility: listed places of worship — Christian (Church of England, Catholic, Methodist, URC, Baptist, free-church, Quaker, Orthodox), Jewish (synagogues), Muslim (mosques), Sikh (gurdwaras), Hindu (mandirs), Buddhist (temples) — all qualify if the building is listed.
Coverage: 20% of qualifying VAT-eligible expenditure. For a £25,000 listed-building install, that's £5,000 reimbursed. Doesn't cover ongoing maintenance, insurance, or works to non-listed adjacent buildings.
Process: complete works, submit claim with invoices via the DCMS portal, receive reimbursement 4-10 weeks later. Critical deadline: claims must be submitted within 12 months of each invoice date. Multiple invoices can be bundled or claimed separately.
Related questions
- How do I apply for the LPW scheme?
- What other grants exist for listed churches?
- Does this apply to Methodist churches?
- What works qualify?