Home >
Farm Energy > Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
NEW!
 The links below provide an introduction to federal and state funding sources, success stories, and other resources.
NOTE: Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat
PDFs. Download Acrobat Reader.
Federal Funding
Federal Tax Credits
Energy Policy Act of 2005
A wide variety of tax credits for businesses and homeowners who buy fuel-efficient vehicles, install energy-efficient appliances and products, produce their own biodiesel or ethanol, or install renewable energy. Includes a 30% business tax credit for qualified fuel cell power plants, a 10% credit for qualifying stationary microturbine power plants, and a 30% credit for qualifying solar energy equipment.
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit [PDF / 124K]
A tax credit of 1.5¢ per kilowatt-hour for the first 10 years of operation for electricity generated by wind, closed-loop biomass, and poultry waste.
Solar & Geothermal Business Energy Tax Credit [PDF / 108K]
Tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase and installation cost of solar heating, solar electricity, or active geothermal energy equipment. Also see the Tax Incentives Assistance Project for more details.
U.S. Department of Energy Funding
Small Business Innovation Research
Inventions and Innovations Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture Funding
Section 9006: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
This program, created by the 2002 Farm Bill, offers grants, loans and loan guarantees to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. For an overview, visit the Farm Energy website hosted by the Environmental Law and Policy Center.
Value-Added Producer Grants
May be used for planning activities and working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. In 2006, over 50% of grants awarded through this program were related to farm
energy production.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
As part of USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, SARE offers grants for research, marketing, and demonstration projects, including renewable energy projects. SARE's website also offers excellent publications, success stories, and links.
Small Business Innovation Research
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
Rural Cooperative Development Grants
Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
This USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service program offers funding for
certain management practices and structures that promote environmental quality.
In some parts of the country, these funds have been used for renewable energy
projects that address environmental problems, such as solar or wind-powered
stock-watering systems that improve grazing practices.
Conservation Security Program
This USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service program includes financial assistance for farm energy audits and certain renewable energy projects, in eligible watersheds.
Small Business Administration Funding
Small Business Investment Companies
Small Business Loans
State and Local Funding
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
A state-by-state searchable database of renewable energy funding programs and financial incentives.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center
A searchable database of state incentives for alternative fuels.
Success Stories
Iowa Farm Couple Benefits from $12,250 USDA Energy Efficiency Grant
The USDA maintains an overview of grant recipients for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (Section 9006), including state-by-state links to individual success stories.
This EERE publication highlights one family farm’s experience with the USDA Section 9006 Grant Program. [PDF / 348K]
Links
EPA Tips and Techniques for Grant Writing
Grant writing tips.
Grants.gov
Offers a list of all currently available federal grant opportunities.
U.S. Department of Energy Business and Financial Assistance Website
Also known as the e-Center, this website allows visitors to browse recently posted funding opportunites, as well tips and advice on doing business with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Farm Energy
Farmenergy.org is run by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC). The website offers detailed information on the Section 9006 (renewable energy and energy efficiency funding) of the 2002 Farm Bill.
Harvesting Clean Energy
Harvesting Clean Energy is devoted to assisting rural communities and landowners in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) with renewable energy technologies.
Back to Farm Energy Home
Last Updated December 28, 2007
Back to top
| 
