What is REEGP?
The Renewable Energy Equipment Grant program (REEGP), provides Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) providers grant funding to install renewable energy equipment in low-income households. The statute that appropriates these funds specifically calls for the installation of renewable energy equipment in households; however, historically, the state provided funds to help make heating systems more efficient (the first program retrofitted oil burning furnaces).
In keeping with the original intent, REEGP was designed to provide supplemental heat through the installation of renewable energy technologies in eligible households under Minnesota’s WAP. Initially, solar air heating and high efficiency wood boilers were approved by REEGP as a direct source of supplemental heat. As solar photovoltaic and direct solar photovoltaic-thermal technology costs have decreased, however, it may be feasible, in some applications, to utilize those technologies in a cost-effective manner. This project will provide an opportunity for Service Providers (SPs) to pilot any/all of these technologies in low-income housing and track costs and other impacts that could inform further program development
Who is eligible to apply?
All Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Service Providers (SP) as described in Section V.1 of the Minnesota WAP state plan are eligible to respond, however, the responding SP must be currently under contract with the Department of Commerce and cannot be under a Corrective Action Plan at time of submittal. Eligible SP responders are encouraged to set up project teams for all aspects of the project and submit the application with all project partners identified. An ineligible SP (one who may not have a current contract or who is under a Corrective Action Plan) may partner with an eligible SP responder.
How much money is the grant for?
The goal of this project is to demonstrate the viability of solar thermal, solar PV-thermal, and solar PV-electric technologies as supplemental heat in eligible low-income households. Eligible SP Responders are encouraged to demonstrate at least one, but preferably two or more technologies. Solar PV-electric may only be used in homes where electric heat is currently used. Approximately $150,000 in REEGP funds is currently reserved for these pilot projects from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. While it is anticipated that one third of the funding will be reserved for each of the three technologies, if sufficient requests are not received for a particular technology, those reserved funds may be awarded for installation of the other technologies. Commerce anticipates that 3-5 awards will be made, however, eligible SP responders are encouraged to submit a proposal with the total amount of funding needed for a successful project.
What technologies are we talking about?
The three technologies that Commerce sees an opportunity to demonstrate are:
- Solar thermal technologies convert energy from sunlight to useful heat to provide hot water and space heating in residential applications. The technology usually contains some sort of storage mechanism.
- Solar Photovoltaic-thermal is a hybrid system that uses solar electricity from Photovoltaics (PV) modules to directly heat domestic hot water.
- Solar Photovoltaic-electric or PV devices generate electricity directly from sunlight to operate electric appliances and lighting for homes and other types of buildings.
Have some solar contractors expressed interest in doing the installations?
Yes, this is the list of those initial entities that submitted their names to the Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
How do I see the questions submitted about the REEGP request for proposal?
Learn more and apply
We strongly suggest that you fill out a quick form to receive the entire request for proposal (RFP). Good luck!
