Funding Opportunities
EPA: Solar for All Funding
Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy. The Solar for All competition is to create programs to tackle barriers -financial and technical- to disadvantaged communities to deploy solar on residential rooftops (single and multi-family) or community solar for residential customers up to 5MW where half the power goes to residents, and associated storage (for resilience) or enabling upgrades (to ensure dwelling is solar ready like energy efficiency upgrades). So, these are not grants for projects but for programs. Grant funds may be used for financial assistance (minimum of 75% in subgrants, loans, rebates), project deployment tech assistance (workforce development program, outreach & ed, project deployment assistance- permitting, siting, interconnection), and program administration and procuring services and tools.
Notice of Intent (NOI) Due: August 14 for municipalities and eligible nonprofits; August 28, 2023 for tribal governments.
There are 5 items in the NOI. Number 3. Number & Type of Applications
a. Award option 1, 2, or 3. Local and tribal govts and eligible nonprofits and coalitions are in option 1 F
b. Program coverage – geography
c. Estimated EPA funding requested (can be changed in actual proposal). The “small” program: no less than $25 million -$100m in funding that supports the number of households the program is designed to serve – must specify the number of HH up to 10,000 for the small. Medium and large up to $400m.
Application Due: on or before September 26, 2023 at 10:59 PM CST through Grants.gov.
Solar for All Webinar recording
Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity
Direct questions to ggrf@epa.gov.
Travel Support for Midwest Climate Resilience Conference October 25-27, Duluth, MN
A travel scholarship application is open to local governments, Tribal representatives, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and other community leaders to attend the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota. Conference themes include: Actionable Climate Science; Cascading Climate Impacts; Collaborative Climate Action; Creative Communications and Engagement; Equitable Adaptation; Financial Solutions; and Policy, Governance & Law.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, August 25.
Preview the scholarship application form (PDF).
USDOE: Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement & Planning (R-STEP)
More Information Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program
Proposal release September 12
This USDOE funding program is designed to support local communities and states in planning and evaluating proposed siting and development of large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage. The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program seeks to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting recognizing that siting is a hyperlocal issue with each community having different needs and priorities when it comes to hosting large-scale renewable energy facilities.
Applicants: “Collaborative” – a cross-disciplinary team that could include: state energy offices, governor’s offices, University Extension, universities, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations.
Funding: $1-2 million each for 5-7 state-based Collaboratives
Application period: September 12 – November 3, 2023, 4:00 PM CST
Informational webinar: September 11, 1pm CST. To Register
Questions? Please contact ENERGYWERX: info@energywerx.org
RENEW: Solar for Good
The Fall 2023 Solar for Good grant cycle opens Friday, September 1, 2023. Winning organizations will be provided with up to 50% of the modules needed to complete their project of solar panels, solar canopies or project grants. Remaining modules (same brand/model) can be purchased from the Couillard Solar Foundation (CSF) while supplies last. The cost for additional panels at this time* will be between $0.50-$0.55 per watt (*NOTE: prices are subject to change). Grants for donated modules DO NOT include shipping costs. Modules available for donation for the Fall 2023 round will be Philadelphia Solar Phenex 540W bifacial modules. All proceeds from the sales of additional panels go back to providing grants and administration for Solar for Good and the Couillard Solar Foundation.
Cash grants are also available for the Fall 2023 cycle. Winning organizations can receive $150 for every 1 kW of solar energy installed (max of $10,000 for projects < 100 kW and a max of $20,000 for projects > 100 kW).
Eligible Entities: Wisconsin Mission-based nonprofits & houses of worship
Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted by Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Links for Solar for Good
Design Tips FAQ by CSF is available for anyone interested in optimizing the donated bi-facial modules.
Solar Canopy Design: A brochure for CSF’s solar canopy designs. Consider a solar canopy for providing electricity and shading at places like parks, picnic areas, community gathering spaces, community pools, and farmers markets.
EPA Clean Communities Investment Accelerator – $6 billion
This GGRF grant competition for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) will provide grants to support two-to-seven hub nonprofit organizations, enabling them to provide funding and technical assistance to public, quasi-public, not-for-profit, and non-profit community lenders working in low-income and disadvantaged communities—supporting the goal that every community in the country has access to the capital they need to deploy clean technology projects.
Eligible Entities: Nonprofit financing institutions that meet certain eligibility criteria (See Section III of funding opportunity for eligibility information)
Deadline: October 12, 2023
EPA National Clean Investment Fund – $14 billion
This GGRF grant competition for the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) will provide grants to support two-to-three national clean financing institutions, enabling them to partner with the private sector to provide accessible, affordable financing for tens of thousands of clean technology projects nationwide.
Eligible Entities: National nonprofit financing institutions that meet certain eligibility criteria (See Section III of funding opportunity for eligibility information)
Deadline: October 12, 2023
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program – $120 million
The BIA Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR) will make available approximately $120 million to federally-recognized Tribes and tribal organizations to increase climate adaptation and resilience capacity and support related Tribal planning and implementation efforts.
Eligible Entities: Tribes and Tribal organizations
Deadline: October 13, 2023
2023 TCR Annual Awards solicitation
A recording of the FY2023 Annual Awards FAQ Webinar held on August 2, 2023 by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program is available to view online.
EPA Tribal Support for E-Enterprise for the Environment, 2024-2029 –
EPA’s Office of E-Enterprise is offering $1 million in funding with the goal to support and enhance tribal participation in E-Enterprise by providing tribes necessary research, training, and technical assistance. The scope of work is broad and may involve supporting topics that relate to many environmental program areas including but not limited to air, climate, water, chemical safety, land clean-up and revitalization, enforcement and compliance, and environmental justice. EPA intends to award $1 million over 5-years to one recipient through a cooperative agreement.
Eligible Entities: Interstate, intrastate, states, local entities, public and private nonprofit institution/organization, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories and possessions, individuals/families
Deadline: October 16, 2023
Informational Webinar: September 20, 2023, from 12:00-1:30pm CST. webinar for potential applicants using Zoom. Register for this webinar
Funding Announcement: EPA Tribal Support for E-Enterprise for the Environment, 2024-2029
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants – $115 million
DERA funding is intended to incentivize and accelerate the upgrading or retirement of the nation’s legacy diesel engine fleet. Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. EPA anticipates that approximately 4-10 cooperative agreements will be made per each of EPA’s ten regions subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other considerations. Wisconsin is in EPA Region 5.
Eligible Entities: Regional, state, local, or Tribal agency, or port authority, which has jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities, and counties
Deadline: December 1, 2023
USDA: REAP Grants & Guaranteed Loans
Rural Energy for America (REAP) guaranteed grants and loans of $2 billion over the next decade for rural ag producers and rural small businesses are now available (rural = population less than 50,000). Grants were increased through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to offset 40% of project costs and they cover both energy efficiency and renewable energy. Note: this does not cover residential farm energy projects (unless install second meter). Funding for underutilized renewable energy technologies for $303.8 million is included.
Due Date: March 31, 2023, for Round 1 grants; for grants less than $20k and greater than $20k. $1million per applicant ceiling. Total $820 million available
Guaranteed loans on a continuous monthly cycle; up to $25 million per loan.
Contact your WI Rural Development Energy Coordinator early: Brenda.Heinen@usda.gov ; 715 619-3123
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program
$550 Million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available to support community-based clean energy in state, Tribal, and local governments through US DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. There are two programs: formula grants and competitive grants.
DOE: EECBG Formula Grant Program is Accepting Applications
The US Department of Energy (DOE) opened the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Formula Grant Application January 2023 with $442 million in funds. These funds finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation (and associated infrastructure), capital investments, projects, and programs.
Applications by States will be accepted through July 2023.
Applications by Local Governments and Tribes are accepted through January 2024 or until funds are expended.
Eligible Entities: More than 2,700 state, local, and Tribal governments are eligible for funding. There are 3 eligibility lists that include the entities and the allocation amount for each:
DOE published the EECBG Program Administrative and Legal Requirements Documents in January. Eligible entities use these to apply for formula funding.
Information about EECBG Funding, eligible expenses and more.
New! DOE Office of Indian Energy Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings – $15 million
Applications Due: to be determined
Eligible Entities: Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organization
Through this funding opportunity, the Office of Indian Energy plans to deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy system(s) to provide electricity to unelectrified Tribal buildings.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity.
Grant Application & more information: Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships
Learn more about SETO’s workforce development programs and open funding opportunities
NEW Focus: Pump Assessment Offering — Municipal & Ag
Focus on Energy now offers a comprehensive pumping system assessment to identify performance issues and provide opportunities for energy efficiency improvements for municipal water/wastewater and agriculture customers are eligible to receive $500/pump assessed, up to 100% of the assessment cost. Qualifying motors must be 75 HP or greater and operate a minimum of 500 hours per year.Focus on Energy also offers a 50% bonus, up to $2,000, for installing a VSD on a pump system following a pump assessment. The total incentive, including the bonus, may not exceed the cost of the equipment and projects must be completed within six months of the assessment (no later than December 31, 2022).
Learn more by visiting the Water & Wastewater Facilities or Agribusiness pages.
Focus on Energy Special Sector Solar Incentive
As of September 1, 2021, FOCUS ON ENERGY® offers a new Special Sector Solar Incentive for non-profits, schools, government and Native American tribes and nations that are not eligible for federal tax credit.
This incentive will help organizations that do not qualify for the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to offset the cost of installing solar electric systems. The table below (click on download pictures) provides an incentive overview and additional details can be found on the Focus
Solar Incentives page.
Contact renewables@focusonenergy.com with any questions
Focus: Pump Assessment Offering – Municipal & Ag
Focus on Energy now offers a comprehensive sumping system assessment to identify performance issues and provide opportunities for energy efficiency improvements for municipal water/wastewater and agriculture customers are eligible to receive $500/pump assessed, up to 100% of the assessment cost. Qualifying motors must be 75 HP or greater and operate a minimum of 500 hours per year.
Focus on Energy also offers a 50% bonus, up to $2,000, for installing a VSD on a pump system following a pump assessment. The total incentive, including the bonues, may not exceed the cost of the equipment and projects must be completed within six months of the assessment (no later than December 31, 2022).
Learn more by visiting the Water & Wastewater Facilities or Agribusiness pages.
Focus: Staffing Incentives for Rural Healthcare facilities
Rural healthcare facilities are now eligible to receive up to an additional 20% in financial incentives to help offset the internal administrative costs to identify and implement energy efficiency projects. Find out more by visiting focusonenergy.com/ruralhealthcare.
NOTE: Offerings for rural industrial customers remain available through the end of 2022. Visit focusonenergy.com/ruralindustrial to learn more.
Solar on Schools
Through a vision and generous support from the Couillard Solar Foundation, MREA launched Solar on Schools to provide resources and grants to Wisconsin K-12 schools and select colleges pursuing solar PV systems.
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For more information and Couillard Solar Foundation
Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Funding
Solar PV Incentive Funding Status are available for commercial and multifamily businesses, local governments and schools, and residents. Of the $2.5 million allocated for 2022,a substantial amount has already been applied for in the first quarter. The amount remaining, as of February 8, 2022, in each incentive category listed below.
| Incentive | Total Budget | Amount Remaining |
| Residential Renewable Incentives | $1,500,000 | $1,165,000 |
| Multifamily and non-Residential Incentives – 0 to 100 kW | $1,000,000 | $436,846 |
| Multifamily and non-Residential Incentives – 100 to 300 kW | $1,000,000 | $584,190 |
| Multifamily and non-Residential Incentives – 300+ kW | $1,000,000 | $335,153 |
| Rural Bonus Incentives | $450,000 | $308,000 |
| Agricultural Producer Bonus Incentives | $240,000 | $74,546 |
2021 Focus on Energy Renewables Incentives
Residential Solar PV Incentives $1.5 million in 2021
| Residential Customer Solar PV Incentive |
| $500 per system |
- Residential customers can receive up to $500 to offset interconnection and permitting costs
- Rural incentive bonus = additional $500 per system in specified zip codes ($450,000 budgeted)
Business Solar PV Incentives
| System size in kW (DC) | Incentive | Max Incentive |
| 0 to 5 kW | $200 per kW | $1,000 |
| 5 to 10 kW | $1,000 + $150 per kW above 10 kW | $1,750 |
| 10 to 100 kW | $1,750 + $125 per kW above 100 kW | $13,000 |
| 100 to 300 kW | $13,000 + $100 per kW above 100 kW | $33,000 |
| 300 to 500 kW | $33,000 + $85 per kW above 300 kW | $50,000 |
NOTE: 2021 Solar Electric PV Reservation Application form is recommended to secure funding (in 2020, funds were used up quickly). The form can be used for PV systems for single family (1-3 units), Commercial or multi-family (4+ units), and agricultural producers. Be aware that the date of interconnection entered will be the final date funds are reserved for the project.
Grant Writing Basics Blog Series
Learn tips and advice for writing federal grant applications through the Grant Writing Basics Blog Series. The goal of the series is to provide the essential basics to begin writing on a solid foundation.
Topics covered include:
· How to Start Working on Future Funding Opportunities
· Demystifying Funding Opportunity Announcements
· Tips to Avoid Last Minute Problems
· Making Sure You Are Eligible before Writing
For more information and Couillard Solar Foundation
BCPL Funds School Clean Energy Projects
The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) makes loan funds available to Wisconsin School Districts for school energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The Board recognizes the economic materiality of climate change and potential impacts of climate change on investments. BCPL manages $1.2 billion in State Trust Funds that benefit K-12 public schools and the University of Wisconsin.
Applications
For more information about the funding opportunity. Direct questions to BCPL Loan Officer.
COVID-19 Financial Assistance
UW-Madison Small Business Development Center
The UW-Madison Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides no- cost consulting and assistance in this time of economic challenges due to COVID-19. There are SBDC offices across the state.