EmPower Massachusetts offers multiple stages of investment in communities and community-based organizations so that they can explore, develop, and implement program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy for previously underserved populations. Implementation grants provide funding to implement community-based programs or projects that increase the access to the benefits of clean energy to and/or reduce energy burden on previously underserved population priority groups.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched R-STEP, which will support the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning and siting processes for local communities. Through R-STEP, DOE anticipates awarding approximately five to seven state-based collaboratives between $1 to $2 million each to expand state and local capacity on large-scale renewable energy siting and planning. Collaboratives will also benefit from tailored technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities through the program. Collaboratives could include but are not limited to state energy offices, Governors’ offices, Extension offices, universities, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other organizations.

At the Clean Energy Fund of Texas, we provide financing to a variety of groups of people. We want to accelerate the green economy by directing financing into multiple market channels, helping more Texans save money and save energy. Who we finance:

• Community-based organizations
• Residential Financing
• Suppliers of solar panels, high-efficiency insulation, water-saving appliances, smart grid technology, HVAC units and other materials
• Small and large businesses
• Buildings

The Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i) is a 10-year, $20 million, joint commitment between Exelon Corporation and its philanthropic arm, Exelon Foundation, to invest in and cultivate innovative start-ups focused on advancing climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency efforts, while also promoting
social equality and economic prosperity, in Exelon’s service territories. These service territories include Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Washington D.C.; Atlantic City, NJ and Wilmington, DE.

Organizations can apply for a Capital Project Grant, a Program grant, or they can apply for both. The total request in all circumstances cannot exceed $2,500,000.

1. Capital Project Grants
   Projects could include but are not limited to: new construction, remodeling existing structures, purchasing land, purchasing equipment, purchasing and installing energy efficient heating and/or cooling equipment, installing renewable energy systems, weatherizing facility, replacing roof and windows, installing/updating recreation fields.

   2. Program Grants
   Project examples could include but are not limited to mentoring, STEM education, environmental justice activities, renewable energy information, disaster preparedness, outdoor education, before or after-school education, volunteer programs, youth volunteer efforts, career or workforce training, programming for women, recreational or athletic activities, senior activities, veteran support activities, food access, and wraparound services (health services, behavioral services, licensed childcare).

Through the Solar Ambassador Prize, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will award a total of $3.5 million to up to 20 community organizations to help accelerate the installation of residential solar and battery storage systems on an estimated 30,000 – 40,000 homes across Puerto Rico. Solar Ambassadors will initially receive $15,000 in seed funding and will be eligible for compensation based on the number of households enrolled for residential solar and battery storage home inspections. Community-based organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit entities with an existing presence in Puerto Rico are eligible to apply to become Solar Ambassadors.

This Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF) FOA provides up to $450 million to support residential solar PV and battery storage installations and offer consumer protection and education resources. Potential applicants may include private industry, educational institutions, state and local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and energy cooperatives. Through this deployment-focused funding, DOE aims to incentivize the installation of roughly 30,000–40,000 residential solar and battery systems. Qualified beneficiaries of the systems installed by selected partners will include very low-income, single-family households that are either located in areas that have a high percentage of very low-income households and experience frequent and prolonged power outages or contain a family member with an energy-dependent disability, such as individuals who need electric wheelchairs for mobility or those that use at-home dialysis machines.

• The Home Efficiency Rebates Program will offer $4,300,000,000 in formula grants to state energy offices to reduce the upfront cost of whole-home energy efficiency upgrades in single-family and multi-family homes. The value of an eligible home’s rebate depends on the predicted energy savings attributable to the project.
• The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program will offer $4,275,000,000 in formula grants to state energy offices to reduce the upfront cost of efficient electric technologies in single-family and multi-family homes. This program also provides $225,000,000 in grants to Indian tribes, however tribal guidance and application instructions are forthcoming through a separate, upcoming announcement.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency. Example activities include:

• Development of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy if one is not submitted with application
• Development of the energy efficiency and conservation elements of an energy-related plan such as a climate action plan or local or tribal government’s sustainability plan
• Expansion of an existing strategy to address new goals

The Resurgence cleantech accelerator is powered by Deep Tech Ventures at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Startups will gain access to business training and technical advisement, premier facilities, industry mentors, student talent, and venture capital, as well as additional funding opportunities. This 9-month hybrid program is designed to support ventures that are focused on four specific areas of the cleantech industry: Energy storage and infrastructure, Next-generation nuclear solutions, Hydrogen and alternative fuels, and Materials refinement and process intensification.

The competition is open to all early-stage startups (Series A or earlier) that are focusing on Carbon Removal and Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage anywhere in the world.

An expert team will review the applications and select five finalists, who will pitch before a live, online audience and judges at the SOSV Climate Tech Summit on September 26. The judges will announce the winner the next day during the summit.

This program is specifically focused on conducting research, development and demonstrations (RD&D) to develop and implement replicable microgrid solutions for underserved and Indigenous communities in remote, rural, and islanded regions throughout the United States.

DOE’s Office of Electricity’s research partners will develop and demonstrate advanced microgrid-enabling technologies, including renewable generation and storage systems, multi-nodal small-scale high-voltage direct current, advanced demand-side management strategies, and microgrid control systems.  The FOA also includes opportunities to address non-technical barriers to deployment of microgrids in these communities, such as lack of local technical expertise and supply chain challenges.