Grants for Solar Energy Projects
A number of state governments and private foundations provide grant funding opportunities for solar energy projects. Some of these projects will pay for at least part of the purchase and installation of solar energy collectors at businesses, homes or non-profit institutions. In the state of Oregon, assistance is available to conduct feasibility studies -- assessments of a project's potential value -- of solar energy installations. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation funds solar energy projects in several states with a particular focus on education. In Colorado and Pennsylvania, state programs help finance new solar installations, either as an effort to reduce carbon emissions or for research purposes.
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Oregon Community Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund Program
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The state of Oregon is one of several states that funds solar energy projects through local grant programs. Its Community Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund is designed to foster economic development and help reduce the state's dependence on fossil fuels. This grant opportunity has funded numerous feasibility studies for solar energy projects all over the state, in awards ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. The projects eligible for this grant opportunity are generally economic and environmental assessments of a renewable energy development's commercial viability. This grant does not fund developments themselves. (See Ref. 1)
Bonneville Environmental Foundation 4R Schools Grant
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For residents of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation funds grant programs into renewable energy education and development. One of these programs is the 4R Schools grant, which awards funding to public schools and districts seeking to improve their commitment to energy independence. The grant can be used to purchase classroom materials, train teachers in environmental lesson planning and to deploy solar energy collectors at the school site. (See Ref. 2) Some of the projects sponsors like Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy have separate application deadlines from the BEF for projects in their area. (See Ref. 3)
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Colorado Carbon Fund Grants
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The Colorado Carbon Fund is one of a number of funding opportunities awarded for solar energy projects from the Governor's Energy Office. The Colorado Carbon Fund works with The Climate Trust, an advocacy non-profit, to help achieve carbon emissions reductions. The Carbon Fund is not a traditional grant program in that it uses carbon offset purchases to finance its grant awards. Because of this, the projects it funds must effectively and verifiably reduce carbon emissions through efficiency improvements, renewable energy deployment or capturing emissions to prevent their release into the atmosphere. (See Ref. 4)
Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority Grants
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The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority regularly offers grant opportunities to businesses, non-profits and local governments seeking to develop or implement renewable energy technologies. Solar energy projects funded through this program may include new solar panel arrays and solar thermal electric technology. Eligibility for this grant program is limited to solar energy projects that will generate at least 200 kilowatts of electricity. Residential solar energy projects are not eligible for funding, and all projects must have a significant value for technological research. (See Ref. 5)
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- Photo Credit solar panels image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
