Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants

Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants are available to higher education institutions, local governments, public K-12 school districts, and state agencies to lower their energy costs. 

Washington State Department of Commerce awards grants on a competitive basis through two rounds of funding. Commerce announced the awardees of Round One Funding,  with 52 projects selected totaling $10 million. The program guidelines for the Round Two competition will be incrementally updated and available later this fall, with applications due next spring. Applications are scored based on energy savings and leverage ratio of non-state funds to state funds. Projects may receive additional points for achieving energy performance beyond code, using premium efficiency equipment, or using solar equipment made in Washington. Solar projects must have at least a 1:1 leverage ratio, except for small cities, which must have at least a 0.5:1 ratio. At least ten percent of available funding in each round will go to cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or fewer residents. 

See the program guidelines or visit the program website for more details.