Grants / Incentives / Loan Guarantees

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

This is a directory of State and Federal Energy Assistance programs. Link

Wisconsin State Energy Office

The Redmond Report – The State Energy Office’s most current list of funding opportunities in Wisconsin

US Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant Program

The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals to substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. The intent of the Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity is to stimulate, expand, and support wood products markets and wood energy markets.

Projects can include, but are not limited to:

  1. Completing requirements, such as engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary, in the later stages of commercial construction projects that use wood as a primary building material and in the later stages of wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals will not be competitive.
  2. Developing manufacturing capacity, other necessary wood products infrastructure, and markets for wood products that support forest ecosystem restoration.
  3. Showcasing quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of using wood as a sustainable building material in an actual commercial building and the projected benefits achieved if replicated across the United States based on commercial construction market trends.
  4. Establishing statewide wood utilization teams and statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from States without an existing (or former) team will be considered. Current teams are found on this map.
  5. Developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing sector, or industrial sector).
  6. Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the commercial sector.

More information can be found at this link.

Federal Tax Incentive for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Projects
The Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides corporate tax rebates for CHP less than 50MW. The credit is equal to 10% of expenditures, with no maximum limit stated. Eligible CHP property generally includes systems up to 50 MW in capacity that exceed 60% energy efficiency, subject to certain limitations and reductions for large systems. CHP systems can only receive the full credit if the system has an electrical capacity of 15 MW or less, and a mechanical energy capacity of of 20,000 horsepower or less, or an equivalent combination of electrical and mechanical energy capacities. Larger combined heat and power systems (up to a maximum of 50 MW and 67,000 horsepower) can qualify for a reduced tax credit equal to the ratio between the actual system capacity and 15 MW. The efficiency requirement does not apply to CHP systems that use biomass for at least 90% of the system’s energy source, but the credit may be reduced for less-efficient systems. Please follow this link for more information.
This program has been extended through 2025 with the passage of the Energy Act of 2020 – More details to follow.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
For rural businesses as defined by USDA Rural Development. They offer grant and/or loan guarantees for energy efficiency all energy sources and renewable energy projects. Grant can cover up to 25% of project costs from a minimum grant of $1500 to $250,000 for energy efficiency to $2500 to $500,000 for renewable energy projects. This is a competitive grant process with request for proposals typically once per year. There is a bonus pool for grant of less than $20,000. Guaranteed loans can be up to 75% of project costs and applications are accepted continuously. Minimum loan is $5000 up to a maximum of $25 million. Transportation or field equipment is not eligible. REAP grants can be used in addition to state or utility energy grants.
For additional information:
Links to USDA – Rural Development – Rural Energy for America Program