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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Related Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has created this resource to help researchers, manufacturers, and distributors of solid-state lighting products locate funding opportunities to help them advance and deploy innovative, energy-saving technologies. Please note that DOE does not necessarily endorse or administer the programs or resources listed below.

R&D SUPPORT

MANUFACTURING SUPPORT

MARKET SUPPORT

TAX INCENTIVES
Illustration of a microscope. Illustration of a person holding a large key in front of a factory building. Illustration of a price tag with a dollar sign on it. Graphic image of tax forms.

 

Other Helpful Resources
Know a funding resource that's not listed here? Please contact doe.ssl.updates@ee.doe.gov.

R&D SUPPORT

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants provide funding for competitions among small businesses. Small businesses that win awards in these programs keep the rights to any technology developed and are encouraged to commercialize it.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: The solicitation contains technical topics in research areas such as energy production (fossil, nuclear, renewable, and fusion energy), energy use (in buildings, vehicles, and industry), fundamental energy sciences (materials, life, environmental, and computational sciences, and nuclear and high energy physics), environmental management, and nuclear nonproliferation.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Small businesses that meet DOE's Small Business Concern definition detailed on page 76 of Instructions for Completing a DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I Grant Application.
TIMING: The U.S. Department of Energy will release the FY2012 SBIR/STTR Phase I Funding Notice in Fall of 2011.
GOOD TO KNOW: Grant applications submitted by small businesses MUST respond to a specific topic and subtopic during an open solicitation. Check Web site for new solicitations.
AGENCY: Department of Energy

The Office of Science provides basic research grants through an annual solicitation process.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: The Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit commercial organizations, state and local governments, and unaffiliated individuals.
TIMING: The Office of Science Annual Announcements are published Annually and will remain open until succeeded by another issuance by the Office of Science usually posted after the beginning of the Fiscal Year (October).
GOOD TO KNOW:The Web site includes a list of open Funding Opportunity Announcements
AGENCY: Department of Energy

MANUFACTURING SUPPORT

The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) provides companies with services and access to public and private resources that enhance growth, improve productivity, and expand capacity. MEP works with companies willing to invest in their future, make improvements in the short term, and position themselves to be stronger long-term competitors both domestically and internationally.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: All
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? U.S. manufacturers
TIMING: Ongoing.
GOOD TO KNOW: MEP centers are nonprofit university- or state-based organizations that receive one-third of their operational funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology with a matching two-thirds from state funds, other regional partners, and revenue from fees paid by manufacturers.
AGENCY: Department of Commerce

MARKET SUPPORT

Recovery.gov tracks stimulus funding by state, how money is being allocated, and what opportunities are up for bid. The site provides search options by city, project type, cost, and publication date. It also covers non-recovery-funded projects.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: Many projects focus on municipal outdoor street and roadway lighting.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Manufacturers with market-ready solid-state lighting products can use this site to find bidding opportunities nationwide.
TIMING: Stimulus money has already been allocated to many states. Check back often.
GOOD TO KNOW: Companies can sign up for e-mail alerts by city or pay $10,000 for custom nationwide alerts.
AGENCY: Independent organization

The Tribal Energy Program promotes tribal energy sufficiency, economic growth, and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for the evaluation and development of renewable energy resources, and provides education and training to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies/projects.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? American Indian or Alaskan Native tribal governments as described in the U.S. Department of Energy American Indian & Alaskan Tribal Government Policy.
TIMING: Ongoing.
GOOD TO KNOW: The program consists of program management through DOE headquarters, program implementation, and project management through DOE's field offices, and technical support through the DOE laboratories. Visit the program Web site for contact information.
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers with commercial financing of renewable energy (bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, wind and hydro power) and energy efficiency projects. Under the grant program, project developers will work with applicants to obtain funding up to 25 percent of the total project cost for eligible projects. Under the loan guarantee program, project developers will work with local lenders, who in turn can apply to USDA Rural Development for a loan guarantee for up to 85 percent of the loan amount.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: Energy efficiency projects such as retrofits.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Borrowers must be an agricultural producer or rural small business.
TIMING: Contact your Rural Development State Office.
GOOD TO KNOW: Eligible project costs include 1) post-application purchase and installation of equipment; 2) post-application construction or improvements; 3) energy audits or assessments; 4) permit or license fees; 5) professional service fees; 6) feasibility studies and technical reports; 7) business plans; 8) retrofitting; 9) construction of a new energy-efficient facility only when the facility is used for the same purpose, is approximately the same size, and based on the energy audit will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility; 10) working capital; and 11) land acquisition.
AGENCY: Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office provides guaranteed loans for projects that employ new or significantly improved energy technologies and avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gases.
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies/projects.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Loans are available for projects located in the U.S., that employ a new or significantly improved technology, and meet Davis Bacon requirements.
TIMING: There is no funding available at this time. Funding may be available FY2012.
GOOD TO KNOW: Companies with technologies still in the research and development phase or in early- to mid-stage development are unlikely to be selected and are encouraged to postpone applying until they meet all requirements referenced in the applicable solicitation.
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy

TAX INCENTIVES

Commercialization Tax Incentives

The Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction allows building owners to deduct the entire cost of a lighting or building upgrade in the year the equipment is placed in service, subject to a cap ($0.30-$1.80 per square foot, depending on the technology and amount of energy reduction with a maximum incentive of $1.80 per square foot).
ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGIES/PROJECTS: Equipment insulation, water heaters, lighting, lighting controls/sensors, chillers, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, CHP/cogeneration, caulking/weather-stripping, duct/air sealing, building insulation, windows, doors, siding, roofs, comprehensive measures/whole building improvements
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The deductions are available primarily to building owners, although tenants may be eligible if they make construction expenditures. In the case of energy-efficient systems installed on or in government property, tax deductions will be given to the person primarily responsible for system design.
TIMING: Effective January 1, 2006 and extended through December 2013 in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • Deductions are taken in the year when construction is completed.
  • Energy savings must be calculated using qualified computer software approved by the IRS.
  • A tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot is available to owners of new or existing buildings who install interior lighting, building envelope, or heating, cooling, ventilation, or hot water systems that reduce the building's total energy and power cost by 50% or more compared to a building meeting minimum requirements set by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001.
  • Deductions of $0.60 per square foot are available to owners of buildings in which individual lighting, building envelope, or heating and cooling systems meet target levels that would reasonably contribute to an overall building savings of 50% if additional systems were installed.

RESOURCES:

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service

Other Helpful Resources: