Best Renewable Energy Grants in New Hampshire

The Barr Foundation's Climate Grants program is committed to addressing climate change through equitable solutions that prioritize communities impacted by environmental injustices. With a focus on clean energy, mobility, and resilience, the program aims to foster an inclusive movement that supports diverse voices and builds capacity among organizations led by people of color. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare communities for climate impacts.

Community Development Finance Authority

The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide, nonprofit authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs.

Low-Moderate Income Solar Grant Program

This program will expand opportunities for New Hampshire residents with limited income to access the benefits of solar and other cost saving energy resources, through housing and community organizations who provide support to these residents. Funding will include grants and coordinated low-interest financing. The program intends to meet the following objectives:

• Provide financing that creates new opportunities for low-and-moderate income (LMI) households to access cost saving energy technologies in their housing or through the community facilities that serve them. These households must benefit from associated cost reductions or benefits as outlined in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) guidance for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and owners of properties participating in HUD Multifamily Assisted Housing programs regarding the treatment of financial benefits received from participation in community solar energy programs or the presence of on-site solar facilities.

• Enable organizations that are already planning capital projects and serving residents from low-andmoderate income households to expand their long-term facilities investments by supporting their transition to clean energy.

• Afford the opportunity for non-taxable entities that have eligible projects with the benefits of owning a solar system to increase access to cost saving energy project financing by providing a single source for grant and loan resources.

• Leverage public and private capital from CDFA’s existing financing resources.

Each applicant entity is eligible to receive one award through this program.

Granite State Clean Fleets Grant

The Granite State Clean Fleets Grant (GSCF) is a competitive reimbursement program funded by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust (VW Trust) to offset excess nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from Volkswagen’s emissions violations. This program reduces NOx emissions by funding projects that scrap and replace older, dirtier diesel-powered units with newer, cleaner alternative-fuel or diesel-powered units. 

Under this program:

• Existing diesel vehicles, engines, equipment and systems (units) are scrapped for replacement. These units are replaced with newer, cleaner diesel-powered, electric or alternative-fueled replacement units. Please see Section 6 Post Award Requirements for more details.
• All applicants must cover the full cost of the project upfront prior to seeking partial reimbursement for eligible project costs.
• Approximately $2.5 million is available from New Hampshire’s Volkswagen Mitigation Trust (VW Trust) to support diesel emissions reduction projects that have been selected through the competitive scoring process.
• This RFP is open to public entities operating in New Hampshire to submit project proposal applications. There is no limit to the number of applications an entity may submit.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling monthly basis until all the available funding has been obligated. NHDES plans to score complete and accurate project proposal applications received on or before the last day of each calendar month and notify selected applicants electronically within five (5) business days (e.g., applicants applying on or before April 30 would be notified of selection status by May 7).
• Applications received after midnight on the last day of each month will be scored in the following calendar month.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits running programs in renewable or sustainable energy can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 to support events and initiatives within Eversource’s service territory. Focused on clean energy and environmental stewardship, Eversource Energy Foundation also considers projects tied to education, basic needs, wellness, workforce development, and community engagement.