The Low Carbon Buildings Programme for communities closed in 2011. It has since been replaced by the new Renewable Heat Incentive and Renewable Heat Premium Payment programmes. Under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme for communities, grants of up to £30,000 or 50% of the costs of installation were available for solar photovoltaic, small scale hydro, solar thermal hot water, wind turbine, heat pumps, and wood fuelled heating systems.

Grants were offered under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to communities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Regions such as the Isle of Man and Channel Islands were not included in the programme.