Funding Wizard

The goal of this funding opportunity is to produce solutions and/or strategies that minimize the adverse impacts of solar energy on wildlife and maximize the ecosystem benefits while enabling the rapid deployment of ground-mounted solar energy. SETO is interested in projects that will produce results with broad relevance to solar stakeholders by establishing methods, technologies, models, best management practices, and/or resources that facilitate solar energy’s pivotal role in achieving a 100% clean electricity system by 2035 and a net-zero energy system by 2050. Successful projects will produce research results that are generalizable to multiple sites, pertinent to multiple stakeholder groups, impactful in a short timeframe (i.e., 3 years or less), and engage local communities most affected by solar energy deployment.

The DOE Office of Science (SC) program in Biological and Environmental Research (BER) hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for a Research Development and Partnership Pilot (RDPP) within BER’s Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). BER has a goal to broaden and diversify institutional representation in the EESSD portfolio with institutions that have limited familiarity and/or engagement with EESSD supported efforts. BER recognizes that there are many academic scientists at institutions not currently supported by BER who have limited familiarity with EESSD programs and research support mechanisms; and BER further recognizes that this lack of familiarity can be a significant barrier to participation in BER research activities, application to BER EESSD funding opportunities, and use of BER scientific user facilities. This barrier is exacerbated by limited opportunities to gain such familiarity. To help provide technical assistance to build capacity and achieve the goal of broadening institutional participation, this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will provide seed funding for institutions to: 1) develop new partnerships with other academic institutions and/or national laboratories to enable future participation in EESSD-relevant research; 2) facilitate participation in planned EESSD research programmatic and user facility outreach and training activities; and 3) foster the development of climate and environmental science research and training capacity at under-represented institutions.

The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) creates healthier communities and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the supply of affordable housing near jobs, amenities, and transportation options. This program has received $1,121.8 million. $433.8 million has been implemented

Who can access funds?

Local governments, transportation and transit agencies, non-profit and for-profit housing developers, joint powers authorities, K-12 school, college and university districts, federally recognized Native American tribes.

Round 6 Applications due June 11, 2021. 

Round 6 Award Announcements anticipated October 28, 2021.

The timing of future funding rounds is TBD.

Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Fiscal Year 2021 Systems Integration and Hardware Incubator Funding Program

The program provides application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities for eligible California Climate Investments applicants and is administered by the Strategic Growth Council to create more equitable opportunities by helping under-resourced applicants access funding.

The California Climate Investments Technical Assistance Program supports communities in applying to the California Climate Investments (CCI) funding programs. Created in 2016, the program aims to level the playing field for applicants that may lack the capacity to successfully access these funds, particularly those in that live in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) works alongside a number of State agencies that implement CCI programs to provide application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities to eligible applicants, enabling them to positively impact their communities. 

Each California Climate Investments program has its own set of goals and intended outcomes, meaning specific technical expertise is often required. In order to provide assistance that is tailored to each program, the SGC has divided resources amongst many of the agencies that administer programs. In many cases, technical assistance is provided through a partnership between state agencies and outside organizations with expertise in each program’s focus. A description of each of the participating CCI programs is listed below.

Charge Up LA!

Plug in and save with electric vehicle programs, charging stations and rebates. 

LADWP Residential Customers

• Used EV rebate 
  • Up to $1,500 for eligible used electric vehicles purchased 9/1/2019 or after
  • Up to $450 for eligible used electric vehicles purchased between 4/1/2018 and August 31, 2019
• Residential EV Charger Rebate
  • Up to $500 for a qualifying Level 2 EV charger
  • $250 for a dedicated TOU meter
• EV Rate discount
  • Customers with a dedicated TOU EV meter for charging stations qualify for rate discount for off peak charging

Commercial Customers

• Level 2 Charging Stations
  • This program is on pause while we update the requirements
• Direct Current Fast Chargers
  • Up to $75,000 per charging station depending on power output
  • Up to 3 rebates per premises if publicly available
• Medium and Heavy Duty EV Charging Stations
  • Up to $125,000 per charging station depending on power output
  • Up to $500,00 per premises
• EV Rate discount
  • Customers with a dedicated TOU EV meter for charging stations qualify for rate discount for off peak charging

OhmConnect's free service helps residential consumers use energy when it's cleanest and rewards you for saving energy when it's dirty.

Whenever you can successfully save energy during an OhmHour or AutoOhm, you'll earn Watts. (Not sure what an OhmHour or AutoOhm is? Start here.) And Watts are worth money or rewards in the OhmConnect Rewards Marketplace! When you have Watts in your OhmConnect account, you can do any of the following:

1. Improve your home’s energy efficiency with smart home technology. Smart home tech like smart thermostats and smart plugs not only earn you more Watts during upcoming OhmHours and AutoOhms but they’ll ensure your home is operating as efficiently as possible (saving you money on your electricity bills). Watts you earn can be put towards serious discounts on these items.
2. Enter to win prizes. Every week, there’s a new, big-ticket prize up for grabs for one lucky OhmConnect customer who ‘buys’ a ballot using their Watts. Peloton bikes, gift cards, ENERGY STAR appliances, cash prizes and more are up for grabs!
3. Take your chances and play The Wheel! Try your luck on The Wheel for your chance to win OhmConnect swag, smart home technology like thermostats or a smart plug, entries to our epic biweekly prizes, cash and more!
4. Withdraw as gift cards to your favorite store.
5. Donate your Watts to the Sierra Club.
6. Withdraw as cash! Watts can be cashed out via PayPal.

The LIWP Farmworker Housing Component provides no-cost rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy efficiency upgrades to low-income farmworker households to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for participants. The Farmworker Housing Component is part of CSD's Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) and is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy and generating clean renewable energy. 

Farmworkers are one of the most vulnerable populations in the state because of seasonal employment and low wages. Farmworker families pay a larger share of their annual income on home energy, and often cut back on other critical needs to pay their energy bills. This new LIWP Farmworker Housing Component will increase the energy efficiency of homes owned or rented by farmworker families; reduce energy bills; provide access to solar energy; and provide health and safety improvements to homes. All services will be provided at no cost to eligible low-income farmworker households. LIWP, part of California Climate Investments, is an energy efficiency and renewable energy generation program administered by CSD that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and provides important co-benefits to households and communities including energy cost savings and job creation and training opportunities.

CSD selected La Cooperativa Campesina de California as the Administrator for the Farmworker Housing Component though a competitive procurement and a funding award of approximately $10.7 million. La Cooperativa, a nonprofit corporation, was established in 1995 with the mission to improve the lives of California's farmworkers, their families, and rural communities through advocacy and service. La Cooperativa previously served as a Regional Administrator for LIWP's Single-Family Energy Efficiency and Solar PV Program in a region that included Imperial, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego Counties. While this program was not focused solely on farmworker housing, many farmworker households were able to benefit from accessing services under the program. La Cooperativa and a team of partner organizations that includes MAROMA Energy Services and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Agencies will lead efforts across twelve counties with the highest farmworker populations to enroll eligible farmworker households and install energy saving and solar measures in single-family dwellings and buildings of 2-4 units.

These energy efficiency measures may include:
Insulation, Central Heating and Cooling System Upgrades, Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators and Freezers, Lighting Upgrades, Water Heater Replacement, Window Replacement, Rooftop Solar PV systems

Community Air Protection funds allow for immediate actions to improve the air quality of the most impacted communities across the state, while the other aspects of AB 617 are developed and implemented. Partnering with communities is essential to the success of these incentives, and both the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and air districts are looking to local community members and groups to help identify funding priorities

City of Palo Alto Utilities is offering incentives for their residential, commercial and industrial customers to install solar water heating systems on their homes and facilities. Incentives are based on the estimated energy savings.  Single-family residential incentives are capped at $2,719 for gas-displacing systems and $1,834 for electricity or propane-displacing systems. Commercial systems are capped at $100,000.