Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants

September 27, 2023

Summary

Note: These programs currently do not have additional funding available. Please check the website and sign up for email updates to hear about future funding opportunities.

The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Energy Retrofits for Public Buildings program offers two grants for the improvement of public buildings. These grants provide funding for public entities such as towns, cities, tribes, and public agencies to make energy updates to public buildings and facilities such as schools, hospitals, community centers, affordable housing, and wastewater treatment plants. The program includes grants for energy efficiency and solar for state and local governments. At least 20% of each competitive grant round must be awarded to projects located in small cities or towns, with a population of less than 5,000.

Energy Efficiency Grant

The Energy Efficiency Grant Program provides funding for projects that improve existing public-owned facilities and related projects that result in energy and operational cost savings. The grant provides competitive funding for energy efficiency improvements at public buildings and facilities.

According to the 2022 Request for Applications (RFA), the maximum award amount per entity was $350,000. Applicants were required to provide 50% of the total project cost from other, non-state sources. Certain projects, including those located in high impact communities, low income communities, rural communities, and projects of federally recognized Tribal governments, were eligible for a reduced match requirement of 33% of total project cost.

*The program received further funding for the 2023-2025 biennium. The next solicitation is expected to open in late fall 2023.

Solar Energy Grant

The Solar Energy Grant provides competitive funding to install solar at public buildings and facilities to cut energy costs, reduce pollution, and showcase solar projects in communities across the state.

According to the 2022 RFA, the primary purpose of grants must be to install new net-metered solar PV systems connected to publicly-owned facilities. Projects must be between 20 kW AC and 100 kW AC. The maximum award amount per entity is $250,000 with a required match of 50% of the total project cost from other, non-state sources. Projects located in certain priority communities have a minimum project size of 10 kW AC and a required match of 33% of total project costs.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Washington
Incentive Type:	Grant Program
Web Site:	https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/energy-retrofits-for-public-buildings/
Administrator:	Washington State Department of Commerce
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Photovoltaics Lighting Building Insulation Windows Custom/Others pending approval Other EE Insulation LED Lighting
Incentive Amount:	Varies depending on project costs
Maximum Incentive:	Energy Efficiency Grant: $350,000 per entity Solar Energy Grant: $250,000 per entity

Authorities

Name:	H.B. 1080 (2021)
Effective Date:	05/18/2021

Contact

Name:	Jill Eikenhorst
Organization:	Washington Department of Commerce
Address:	1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 Olympia WA 98504
Phone:	(360) 522-0000
Email:	energyretrofits@commerce.wa.gov

Name:	Kristen Kalbrener
Organization:	Washington Department of Commerce
Address:	1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 Olympia WA 98504
Phone:	(360) 515-8112
Email:	energyretrofits@commerce.wa.gov

Name:	Jennifer Grove
Organization:	Washington Department of Commerce
Address:	1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 Olympia WA 98504
Phone:	(360) 763-2213
Email:	jennifer.grove@commerce.wa.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.