Location: Nairn
Technology: Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage
CARES funding: £10,893
Date installed: 22 January 2026
Background
St Ninian Bowling Club provides a valuable social and recreational space for its members and the wider community. The building’s electricity costs were proving to be a significant financial burden to the club, especially during the cold winter months.
Seeking ways to improve its energy efficiency, reduce running costs and lessen its environmental impact, the club began exploring renewable technology as a potential solution. In 2024, the club commissioned a local installer to carry out a feasibility study. It demonstrated that installing solar panels could significantly reduce the club’s dependence on mains electricity and deliver both environmental benefits and long-term cost savings.
As the club did not have the financial resources required to fund the installation independently, the installer recommended that the club contact CARES for support.
Project aims
The primary aim of the project was to reduce the building’s carbon footprint, while reducing energy costs. The club planned to achieve this by installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel array, complemented by a battery storage system.
The club submitted an initial application in 2024, but due to the application being submitted close to grant delivery deadlines, it was advised to delay its project until 2025. The club made good use of the extra time. Planning for the next application window and getting a full energy efficiency assessment from Business Energy Scotland to strengthen its application by ensuring the project aligned with best practice in energy efficiency and sustainability.
A spokesperson from the club shared: “All forward planning was carried out in accordance with the grant application requirements, with CARES staff providing invaluable guidance and support throughout the process, helping to ensure the project was well-structured and successfully delivered,”
Achievements and outcomes
St Ninian Bowling Club applied to the CARES Community Buildings Fund in 2025, and received a grant of £10,893, which covered 80% of the installation costs for the solar PV array and battery storage system. The remaining 20% was financed from the club’s own funds.
The club now boasts 12 solar PV panels and a storage battery, and although it’s too soon to quantify the direct and indirect benefits, the club feels it’s already clear that the project will result in substantial savings in electricity costs.
As well as maximising the use of renewable energy generated, the storage battery will allow the club to purchase lower-cost off-peak electricity to charge the battery and use the stored energy during the day, when electricity costs are higher.
A spokesperson from the club shared: “These savings should help ensure the club can afford essential maintenance of the bowling green, cover ongoing building maintenance costs, and potentially support future improvements to the facility.”
“CARES provided vital support throughout the project, enabling the club to complete the installation. Without this assistance, the club would not have been able to afford the solar PV system and would have had to continue facing high electricity costs.”
Lessons learned
One of St Ninian Bowling Club’s key takeaways from the project was the importance of identifying and pursuing multiple match-funding opportunities at the very beginning of the grant application process as this can significantly increase the likelihood of securing the necessary funding. It also advises organisations to explore interest-free loan options in parallel, rather than as a fallback.
St Ninian Bowling Club also shared: “We would strongly recommend that other organisations undertaking similar projects contact CARES at an early stage. Their support throughout the process was invaluable. Having a dedicated CARES staff member assigned to the project was a significant advantage, and response times to queries were consistently prompt and helpful.”