Small Business Advantage Grant Program

November 20, 2024

Summary

NOTE: the 2024-2025 Grant Program application window opened on September 20, 2024. It will remain open until funds are exhausted.

Established in July 2004, the PA Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides matching funds to for-profit businesses with a maximum of 100 full-time equivalent employees for improvements in energy efficiency and pollution prevention. The business must also be the primary source of employment for at least one full-time employee.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers the grants, providing up to $12,000 for proposed projects with significant environmental savings in environmental justice areas. The DEP provides a Small Business Advantage Grant Calculator to determine the incentive amount. Itemized quotes from vendors, or invoices of completed projects, are required to be eligible for funding.

Only for-profit, taxable businesses whose primary operating premises are in Pennsylvania are eligible for funding. Franchises are not eligible for funding. Residential rental units and dwellings are not eligible for awards, nor are outdoor wood burners, wood-fired boilers, photovoltaics (PV), room air-conditioners, vending machines, and some types of building envelope measures. The measures identified above as eligible equipment are based on examples provided in program documents and lists of awards made for prior solicitations.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Pennsylvania
Incentive Type:	Grant Program
Web Site:	https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/SmallBusinessOmbudsmanOffice/Pages/Small%20Business%20Advantage%20Grant.aspx
Administrator:	Small Business Ombudsman, Department of Environmental Protection
Start Date:	7/26/2019 (current solicitation)
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Water Heat Water Heaters Lighting Lighting Controls/Sensors Chillers Furnaces Boilers Air conditioners Heat recovery Steam-system upgrades Compressed air Motor VFDs Processing and Manufacturing Equipment Custom/Others pending approval Food Service Equipment Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
Incentive Amount:	Incentives are based on parameters: All eligible projects: 50% of costs Eligible and in Environmental Justice Area: 65% of costs Eligible and significant snvironmental Savings: 65% of costs Eligible, in an EJ area, and significant environmental savings: 80% of costs
Maximum Incentive:	Incentives are based on parameters: All eligible projects: $7,500 Eligible and in Environmental Justice Area: $9,750 Eligible and significant environmental Savings: $9,750 Eligible, in an EJ area, and significant environmental savings: $12,000
Equipment Requirements:	ENERGY STAR equipment is required if the equipment type is covered under the ENERGY STAR program

Authorities

Name:

35 P.S. 6029.201 et seq.

Contact

Name:	Ed Boito
Address:	Rachel Carson State Office Building Harrisburg PA 17101
Phone:	(717) 772-5106
Email:	epadvantagegrant@pa.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.