PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Office of Energy Resources announced Monday that residents, businesses and municipalities may apply for money to install renewable energy systems.
The office said that the $8.4 million in grants are designed to help pay for up to 25 percent of the upfront costs of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and hydro installations, as well as “any other proven and acceptable renewable energy programs.” The grants come from the federal stimulus passed last year.
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Rhode Island residents may apply for up to $10,000. Businesses may apply for up to a total of $500,000 for projects. Municipalities and institutions that serve or house 1,000 or more persons may apply for a maximum of $750,000 for projects.
“As a state, we have made a commitment to supporting renewable energy projects, from residential to commercial, and this funding from the Recovery Act allows us for the first time to support significant renewable energy projects on the residential, commercial and municipal levels,” said Ron Renaud, executive director for the R.I. Department of Administration, who oversees the Office of Energy Resources. “We anticipate significant interest in the grants and encourage all those apply to think big and think green.”
The office said it would award the grants based on the number of jobs created or retained by the project, the amount of reduction in the use of fossil fuels that the system will generate, the estimated energy produced over the life of the project, and the availability of matching funds.
The announcement comes as the top position at the Office of Energy Resources Remains empty. Andrew Dzykewicz resigned as commissioner in July. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has said he is contemplating whether to fold the position into the R.I. Economic Development Corporation.
Applications for the first round of grants are due on Jan. 29 with applications for the second round due March 1. Application packages can be downloaded at www.energy.ri.gov.
