Description
The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program provides grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. The program aims to help reduce energy costs and consumption and meet the Nation's critical energy needs. Eligible renewable energy systems include wind, solar, renewable biomass, small hydro-electric, ocean, geothermal, or hydrogen derived from these renewable resources.
• Eligible applicants include agricultural producers and rural small businesses, as well as units of State, Tribal, or local government; instrumentalities of a State, Tribal, or local government; institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; public power entities; and councils.
• The program offers two types of funding assistance: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance, and Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and the deadline dates for applications to be received in order to be considered for funding are November 2, 2015, or May 2, 2016, depending on the type of application.