Rural Renewable Energy Grants Available

Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as:

• Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
• Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
• Hydrogen.
• Small and large wind generation.
• Small and large solar generation.
• Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

What funding is available?

• Loan guarantees on loans up to 75% of total eligible project costs.
• Grants for up to 25% of total eligible project costs.
• Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

Rural Renewable Energy Grants Program Application Details and Deadlines

Generally, REAP applications can be submitted any time of the year. However, funding decisions are made in conjunction with several cut-off dates each fiscal year, which are outlined in the FY 2020 RFA. If an application cut-off date falls on a federal holiday, Saturday, or Sunday, the application opportunity is open until the next business day. In order to ensure small projects have a fair opportunity to compete for the funding, 20 percent of the funding is set-aside until June 29, 2020 to fund grants of $20,000 or less. 

Grants and Guaranteed Loans for Renewable Energy Production and Energy Efficiency Improvements

• For farmers or small businesses owners seeking grants less than $20,000, and who therefore wish to compete as part of the 20 percent set-aside, there are two application windows to apply for funding. The first application period closes at 4:30pm local time on October 31, 2019. The second application window is open for applications received between November 1st and March 31, 2020.
• For larger grants and for requests for a combination of a grant and a guaranteed loan, the deadline is 4:30pm on March 31, 2020.
• For farms and small businesses seeking a federal guarantee of a private loan (but not a grant), there is a rolling deadline during which eligible applications will be reviewed and processed when received for periodic competitions.

Grants for Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Planning and Development

• The deadline for these grants is 4:30pm local time on January 31, 2020.

More information on the Rural Renewable Energy Grants Program is available from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) here.