This Funding Opportunity aims to support clean energy projects that provide lasting benefits to rural and remote communities by reducing energy costs, enhancing energy access and resilience, boosting economic opportunities, and minimizing environmental impacts. The program seeks to demonstrate innovative energy systems using climate-resilient technologies and promote economic resilience, community engagement, and workforce development while building local knowledge and self-reliance in clean energy from the following 4 categories:
Topic Area 1 – Open Category: Create opportunities for funding diverse clean energy infrastructure projects in rural or remote areas and overcome specific barriers to adoption.
Topic Area 2 – Dual use and co-location: The program funds clean energy projects in rural and remote areas that integrate with other land or water uses to reduce conflicts and maximize additional benefits like economic and environmental improvements
Topic Area 3 – Small-scale community-centered: The goal is to fund community-led clean energy projects that enhance local capacity for future initiatives. Collaboration with Tribal governments, local organizations, and experienced entities is encouraged to strengthen technical expertise and community support.
Topic Area 4 – Isolated microgrids & unelectrified buildings: The objective is to develop clean energy projects for either isolated microgrids, typically in ultra-remote areas relying on diesel generators, or for unelectrified homes and community buildings.