Government Grants for Wind & Solar Power
The United States Department of Energy offers hundreds of millions of dollars per year in wind and solar power grants. Most grants fall under the umbrella of the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which focuses on promoting renewable energy and advancing the technology needed to acquire it. While these grants cater to large organizations, most states offer incentives for the use of renewable energy on a personal and business level.
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Types
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The United States Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program offers competitive grants for industries, universities and laboratories as well as federal, state and local government agencies. The SETP's grants foster collaboration among various sectors to promote the potential of solar energy. Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Program, states, local governments, Indian tribes and U.S. territories receive funding to increase energy efficiency and install renewable energy systems. On a state level, the DOE's State Energy Program gives competitive grants that fund the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy products and technologies, including solar and wind energy.
Amounts
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In 2009, the federal government funded $500 million dollars worth of renewable energy projects; this figure grows each year. Individual wind and solar awards for organizations range from amounts of $150,000 to $114,000,000. The 2009 Solar Energy Technologies Program awarded $3.1 billion dollars to U.S. states and territories for renewable energy projects. As the DOE accepts proposals for clean energy projects of all kinds, grant amount varies widely from project to project.
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Projects Funded
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DOE wind and solar energy grants help to fund fossil fuel emission reduction, increasing environmental sustainability and improving energy efficiency in the building and transportation sectors. Some grants cater to projects such as retrofitting existing buildings for wind and solar power, while larger awards go toward projects like the development and implementation of renewable energy-based transportation programs. Some grants fund research and development in areas including photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, systems integration and market transformation.
Application Process
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The United State's federal government maintains a database of its grants and funding opportunities at the website Grants.gov. At this site, users search for grants in the category of their choice, including wind and solar energy grants. Once they find a suitable grant, users download an application package and complete the registration process online. Most renewable energy grants require a detailed proposal during the application process.
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References
- U.S. Department of Energy: Financial Opportunities
- U.S. Department of Energy: State Energy Program
- U.S. Department of Energy: Recovery Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Program
- U.S. Department of Energy: Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement
- U.S. Department of Energy: Treasury, Energy Announce $500 Million in Awards for Clean Energy Projects
- Grants.gov: Applicant FAQs
Resources
- Photo Credit Solar image by Thomas Leiss from Fotolia.com
