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Funding Resources: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Projects

The resources on this page reflect a mix of grants and incentive programs that help make energy-saving retrofits more streamlined and affordable. Click on the links below to learn more about specific programs.

Public Utility Conservation & Energy Efficiency Programs
Municipal Utilities
MFEP Incentives for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
NRCS – EQIP
USDA-Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Net Metering
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART)
Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses

Public Utility Conservation & Energy Efficiency Programs

Customers of investor-owned “public” utility companies pay into conservation and renewable energy funds and therefore have access to energy conservation programs, as well as renewable energy programs. Utilities offer different types of energy assessments, performed by a contractor or employee of the utility company to make recommendations for improving energy efficiency. There may also be utility incentives available for project implementation. For more information, please visit Mass Save’s website.

Note: Mass Save serves customers of Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil.

Municipal Utilities

Since customers served by the 40 municipal electric and/or gas utility departments typically do not pay into conservation or renewable energy funds, municipal customers often don’t have access to energy conservation programs offered by the utility industry.

Contact your municipal utility company and ask them what conservation programs are available.

Some municipal utilities are part of NextZero, which offers rebates and incentives. Click here to see if yours is one of them.

MFEP Incentives for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

MFEP offers financial incentives for implementing energy-saving upgrades. Farms may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 toward the cost of energy efficiency retrofits or renewable energy projects. General requirements:

$4,000 maximum total incentive for farms eligible for public utility rebate programs
$5,000 maximum total incentive for farms served by municipal utilities that don’t offer conservation incentives

MFEP incentives are based on projected annual energy savings from installed measures – as follows:

$0.20 incentive per kWh electricity, $0.10 incentive per kWh for lighting
$1.75 incentive per therm of natural gas
$2.50 incentive per gallon of propane
$2.00 incentive per gallon of fuel oil
$250 incentive per cord of wood

To apply, submit a request or call us at 413-727-3090

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)

MDAR offers support for farms interested in energy efficiency, conservation, and renewables. MDAR staff promote energy awareness and facilitate the implementation of energy-related projects for agri-businesses as a means to reduce energy costs and environmental pollution. Numerous resources are available through this state agency to assist you in obtaining technical and financial support for your farm.

MDAR offers energy-related grant opportunities on an annual basis, specifically the Climate Smart Agriculture Program, with proposals typically due in spring each year.

If you have questions about the MDAR grants, please contact Gerry Palano, MDAR Renewable Energy Coordinator and MFEP partner at 617-626-1706 or Gerald.Palano@state.ma.us.

NRCS – EQIP

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service offers audits and financial compensation for the cost of implementing practices that reduce pollution and greenhouse emissions through their Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) On-Farm Energy Initiative. Payments are available to qualified farmers for energy efficiency upgrades for maple (steam pans, higher efficiency evaporators, and reverse osmosis systems), greenhouses (shade screens and high-efficiency heating systems), and for some measures that save electricity (fans, motors, and automatic controls).

There are typically three ranking periods each year. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and complete an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (to learn more visit our Get an Energy Audit page). Funding amounts and availability vary from year to year. For more information, contact your local NRCS office.
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USDA-Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

The Farm Bill provides funding for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. USDA Rural Development administers these funds and offers grants, guaranteed loans, or a combination to farmers and rural small businesses. Visit this page to learn more about REAP.

Some quick REAP facts:

As of April 2023, grant requests can be for up to 50% of the eligible project costs.
RD renewable energy grants can range from $2,500 to $1,00,000, energy grants can range from $1,500 to $500,000, and REAP can be combined with other non-federal grants.
Guaranteed loans can be made up to 75% of total eligible project costs or a combination of 25% grant and up to 50% guaranteed loan.
Energy generated or saved by the REAP program cannot be for residential use. The estimated cost of installing an electrical meter to separate farm use from residential use is considered an eligible project expense.

Determine eligibility: If you plan to apply, or have questions about eligibility, level of energy assessment, or environmental review requirements, contact Jacob Charette at Jacob.Charette@usda.gov or 413–253-4305.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

The Green Jobs Act of 2008 created the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to accelerate job growth and economic development in the state’s clean energy industry.

The Renewable Energy Generation division of MassCEC supports renewable energy projects throughout the Commonwealth. MassCEC awards funds to hundreds of businesses, towns, and non-profits for feasibility and/or design and construction of solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems, hydroelectric systems, and other clean energy systems.

Contact MassCEC to learn about current programs like Net-Zero Grid at info@masscec.com or call 617-315-9300.
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Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Net Metering

Net metering encourages homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to install solar panels and wind turbines, and farm energy technologies such as anaerobic digesters, by allowing them to earn credit on their electric bills if they generate more power than they need. Under the Green Communities Act signed by Governor Patrick in 2008, utility companies must compensate their customers for this excess electricity at the retail rate rather than the lower wholesale rate. Customers may allocate their credits to other customers, allowing those without facilities to take advantage of net metering benefits as well.

The Green Communities Act includes provisions for Agricultural Net Metering facilities whereby farms are able to install additional electrical renewable technologies besides wind and solar.

To find out how you can apply for net metering contact your local eligible utility in coordination with your renewable energy contractor.

Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART)

The DOER created the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program to create a long-term sustainable solar incentive program that promotes cost-effective solar development in MA.

For more information, and to apply for the program, click here.

Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses

There are two tax credits available for businesses and other entities like nonprofits and local and tribal governments that purchase solar energy systems:

The investment tax credit (ITC) is a tax credit that reduces the federal income tax liability for a percentage of the cost of a solar system that is installed during the tax year.
The production tax credit (PTC) is a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity generated by solar and other qualifying technologies for the first 10 years of a system’s operation. It reduces the federal income tax liability and is adjusted annually for inflation.

Generally, project owners cannot claim both the ITC and the PTC for the same property, although they could claim different credits for co-located systems, like solar and storage, depending on what further guidance is issued by the IRS.

Solar systems that are placed in service in 2022 or later and begin construction before 2033 are eligible for a 30% ITC or a 2.75 ¢/kWh PTC if they meet labor requirements issued by the Treasury Department or are under 1 megawatt (MW) in size.

For more information, visit this page.