SMALL BUSINESS
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
AIDING NH SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses and farmers are the backbone of New Hampshire communities. Rising energy costs are a significant burden for many business owners. Clean Energy NH (CENH) is ready to help small businesses and farms invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation ​​to provide resiliency, stability, and energy savings for years to come.
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CENH’s team of Small Business Circuit Riders provides no-cost technical assistance to small business owners and farmers across the state. We help businesses create comprehensive plans for energy saving projects, secure grant funds to lower upfront cost, and find qualified contractors to get the work done.
GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE
The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants for small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. REAP grants cover up to 50% of eligible project costs. Eligible technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, wood heat or power, anaerobic digesters, weatherization, the installation of energy efficient equipment, and more.
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Clean Energy NH is an approved REAP Technical Assistance provider, meaning we have funding from USDA to help small businesses apply for a REAP grant. Let us help your business determine your REAP grant eligibility, identify the right energy-saving project for your business, apply for REAP grant funding, and complete your project.
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There are four application deadlines throughout the year:
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December 31, 2023
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March 31, 2024
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June 30, 2024
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September 30, 2024
FAQs
Am I required to be a small business to apply for REAP and how does the USDA define a small business?
You must be a for-profit small business to qualify for REAP funds. The Small Business Association (SBA) defines the size limits of small businesses through the corresponding NAICS code on your tax return.
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​Are nonprofits eligible for REAP?
No, only for-profit agricultural producers and small businesses are eligible.
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Can an application be submitted to install the same type of technology at multiple business locations?
Each location would need to be owned by the exact same legal entity. If the technology to be installed at each location is the same, for example installing solar PV at each location, filing a single application is eligible. If solar will be installed at one location and wind installed at another location, the applicant would need to choose which application to file to compete within a fiscal year.
An applicant can only complete one renewable energy system application and one energy efficiency application in a fiscal year.
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Are electric vehicle charging stations eligible under REAP?
A stand alone electric vehicle charging station is not eligible under REAP. A charging station that is part of a renewable energy system, such as a solar powered EV charge station, would be eligible as long as the energy will not be dispensed for retail use, e.g. self-use by applicant entity only.
What is classified as an energy efficiency project?
An energy efficiency project is defined as improvements to or replacement of an existing building or systems or equipment, owned by the applicant, that reduces energy consumption on an annual basis. An energy audit or energy assessment is required which shows energy savings (kwh/btu) as a result of the proposed improvements. Examples include but are not limited to: lighting, refrigeration, heating, ventilation and cooling, automated controls, and insulation.
Would the installation of new energy efficient equipment inside a newly built building with no historical energy use be eligible for REAP funds?
No, energy efficiency REAP applications must show a reduction in historical energy use (kwh/btu). Strong REAP applications show that grant funds can help a business reduce their energy use and energy costs.
