Municipal Solar Grant Program
A federally funded, competitive grant program to fund small solar PV systems to benefit New Hampshire municipalities.
Municipal Solar Grant Program History:
The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) resulted in a $550 million appropriation into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. This program, overseen by the US Department of Energy, provides formula grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to implement strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency.
Under this program, the NH Department of Energy (NHDOE) received a $1.6 million formula grant. The NHDOE is using this funding for a Municipal Solar Grant Program, a competitive grant program that provided funding for municipal solar projects whose total installed capacity does not exceed 60 kW DC. These projects will have the dual benefit of lowering municipal energy expenses and providing a direct financial benefit to municipal budgets and local property taxpayers.
Stakeholder Session #1 was held on July 12, 2023.
Stakeholder Session #2 was held on July 26, 2023.
The Department’s application was approved by USODE on May 3, 2024, and all funding has been allocated to 16 municipalities.
Awardees are currently awaiting the completion of a Technical Monitor contract and a Davis-Bacon Act compliance contract, both intended to support the municipalities. Approval from Governor & Council for these contracts is anticipated in April or May 2025.
Projects must be completed by December 30, 2026; however, amendments will be granted to any solar systems that require a timeline extension.
Archived 2024 Proposal Information: