Grants for Solar Energy

Solar and clean energy grants fund installations, research, workforce development, and community energy programs. The Department of Energy, EPA, USDA, and state energy offices are major funders, especially after the Inflation Reduction Act expanded clean energy incentives. Both tax credits and direct grants are available for solar projects.

150 grants
State/ Foundation
Updated daily
Tiered grants based on school district tax base per student and financial need
FRESH ENERGY · Rolling / Open · Semi-annual Foundation

Solar for Schools Grant Program Program Type: Statewide solar incentive program for K-12 schools and state colleges/universities Geographic Scope: Minnesota schools NOT in Xcel Energy service…

Almost a million dollars per school district in grant money
Solar United Neighbors Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Solar for Schools Program Organization: Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in partnership with Cuyahoga County Utility, Cuyahoga Green Energy, and Growth Opportunity Partners (Growth Opps) Funder: U.S.…

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF HENNEPIN · Rolling / Open Foundation

Solar Program (The Solstice Project) Funder: Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) in partnership with All Energy Solar Geographic Scope: Hennepin County, Minnesota homeowners…

Residential: $6,000 (60¢/watt); Non-residential: $50,000 (50¢/watt); Nonprofit: $75,000 (75¢/watt)
NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Solar Rebate Program Status: Program concluded December 31, 2022 Geographic Scope: North Carolina (Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories) Background: Created under HB589, the…

NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT · Rolling / Open Foundation

Solar Schools Program Funder: National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project (partnering with sponsors including Pacific Gas and Electric Company and BP) Geographic Scope: Multiple communities…

Loan amounts vary (examples: $15,000 zero-percent interest loans mentioned)
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light Inc · Rolling / Open · Rolling Foundation

Solar-Wise Program - Zero-Interest Solar Loans Funder: Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) Geographic Scope: Georgia Focus Areas: - Solar installation financing for faith communities - Renewable…

Texas Solar Energy Society Inc · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

SolarAPP+ Adoption Incentive Program Funder: U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Award Amount: $15,000 per selected community Overview: An incentive program for…

Performance-based: $0.04/kWh for 10 years; Up-front: $0.10/watt (non-income qualified) or $0.70-$1.10/watt (income-qualified)
FRESH ENERGY · Rolling / Open Foundation

SolarRewards for Schools Program Type: Statewide solar incentive program for K-12 schools and state colleges/universities Geographic Scope: Xcel Energy service territory in Minnesota Administrator:…

US $5,000 - US $50,000
North Dakota Department of Commerce · Rolling / Open Foundation

State Energy Program Grant (ND) Status: ACTIVE Funder: North Dakota Department of Commerce Amount: US $5,000 - US $50,000 Last Updated: May 20, 2025 Summary The State Energy Program Grant in North…

US $50,000 - US $400,000
Green Mountain Energy · Rolling / Open Foundation

Sun Club Sustainability Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Green Mountain Energy Amount: US $50,000 - US $400,000 Last Updated: August 20, 2025 Summary The Sun Club Sustainability Grant, offered by Green…

Up to $75,000 annually ($1,000 - $10,000 per project)
DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Sustainable Communities Grant Program Funder: Delmarva Power (administered by Delaware Nature Society) Status: Active and ongoing since November 2019 Geographic Scope: Delmarva Power's Delaware and…

SUSTAINABLE CT INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Sustainable Ct Inc Last Updated: February 08, 2026 Summary Sustainable CT's Community Match Fund is a unique funding initiative that…

Launch Alaska · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Tech Deployment Track Overview: An accelerator program for market-ready startups in climate technology, energy, transportation, and industrial sectors seeking project opportunities in Alaska.…

Varies; $200,000 awarded to 21 organizations in 2022; $180,000 in TAF grants specifically
Clean Energy Group Inc · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Technical Assistance Fund (TAF) Overview: The TAF provides one-on-one technical support and small grants to community-based organizations, municipalities, affordable housing developers, emergency…

Up to $500/kW in grants plus forgivable low-cost loans
Texas Solar Energy Society Inc · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Texas Backup Power Package (TBPP) Program Funder: State of Texas (Texas Energy Fund created by Texas Legislature in 2023) Total Funding Available: $1.8 billion from the $10 billion Texas Energy Fund…

Texas Solar Energy Society Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Texas Solar Energy Internship Program (SEIP) Funder: Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES), supported by The Meadows Foundation grant Overview: A statewide internship program designed to facilitate…

Texas Solar Energy Society Inc · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Texas Solar for All Coalition EPA Grant Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Award Amount: Nearly $250 million in grant funding Award Date: May 2, 2024 (Earth Day) Overview: A historic…

TOLEDO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Toledo Neighborhood Foundation Grant Grants from the Toledo Neighborhoods Foundation are made possible through revenue generated by the GTCF solar arrays at the Overland Industrial Park.…

Frequently Asked Questions

What federal grants are available for solar projects?
The DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office funds research and deployment. The USDA REAP program provides grants for rural solar installations. The EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund supports community solar. The Inflation Reduction Act created new direct-pay options for tax-exempt organizations, effectively functioning as grants for solar installations.
Can nonprofits get solar grants?
Yes. Nonprofits can now benefit from the IRA's direct-pay provisions for clean energy tax credits. The EPA's Solar for All program specifically serves low-income and disadvantaged communities. State programs like California's SASH and New York's NY-Sun include nonprofit pathways. Many utility companies offer solar incentive programs for nonprofits.
Are there grants for community solar projects?
Yes. The EPA's $7 billion Solar for All program is the largest community solar grant in history. USDA's Rural Energy for America Program supports rural community solar. State clean energy funds in Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and others specifically fund community solar development.

Ready to apply for these grants?

  • Assess your eligibility for this grant
  • Draft a tailored application narrative
  • Track the deadline and get reminders
  • Find similar grants from other funders