What's the difference between energy grants and tax credits?

Grants provide direct funding you don't repay. Tax credits reduce your tax liability. Both are available for energy projects, often for the same technologies. The IRA expanded both, with significant tax credits for solar, wind, batteries, EVs, and manufacturing alongside grant programs.

Can small businesses get energy grants?

Yes. Many DOE programs include small business eligibility. State energy office programs often target small and medium businesses. SBIR/STTR programs historically funded energy R&D for small businesses, though these are currently pending Congressional reauthorization.

Are there energy grants for homeowners?

The IRA created significant home energy rebates administered by state energy offices. Programs cover heat pumps, insulation, electrical panel upgrades, and other efficiency improvements. Availability varies by state as programs roll out. Search your state's energy office on Funding Landscape.

How competitive are DOE grants?

Very competitive at the federal level. Major DOE programs may receive hundreds of applications for dozens of awards. State programs and utility incentives are often less competitive. Building a track record with smaller grants can help position you for larger federal opportunities.

What energy sectors have the most funding right now?

Grid modernization, battery storage, hydrogen, and building efficiency have substantial current funding. Solar and wind continue strong. Emerging areas like carbon capture and advanced nuclear have dedicated demonstration programs. Search by technology on Funding Landscape to see current availability.

Energy Grants in 2026: Federal and State Funding for Clean Energy, Efficiency, and Grid Projects

The Energy Funding Landscape

The energy sector is experiencing unprecedented federal investment. The Inflation Reduction Act alone authorized over $370 billion for clean energy, with significant portions flowing through grants and tax incentives. Add the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's grid modernization funding, and you have the largest energy investment in U.S. history. Funding Landscape currently tracks over 1,000 open energy-related opportunities: approximately 400 grants, 370 procurement contracts, plus rebates, loans, tax credits, and other program types. Sources include the Department of Energy, ARPA-E, state energy offices, utilities, and foundations.

Department of Energy Programs

DOE administers the largest share of federal energy grants through multiple offices: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE): Funds solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, bioenergy, and building efficiency research and deployment. Major programs include the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Wind Energy Technologies Office. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E): High-risk, high-reward grants for transformational energy technologies. Competitive but substantial funding for breakthrough innovations. Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED): Large-scale demonstration grants for hydrogen hubs, carbon capture, advanced nuclear, and other emerging technologies. Multi-billion dollar programs. Grid Deployment Office: Grid resilience, transmission, and distribution modernization grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

State Energy Office Programs

Every state operates an energy office with its own grant and incentive programs. Funding Landscape aggregates opportunities from state energy offices across the country. Common state program types include: energy efficiency rebates for buildings and equipment, renewable energy installation incentives, weatherization assistance, grid resilience grants for utilities and municipalities, and clean transportation programs. Active states with significant current programs include California Energy Commission, Colorado Energy Office, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and many others. State programs often have less competition than federal grants.

IRA and IIJA Funding

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) created dozens of new energy programs: IRA Programs: Home energy rebates, commercial building efficiency, clean vehicle incentives, manufacturing tax credits, and community solar grants. Many programs are administered by state energy offices. IIJA Programs: Grid resilience grants, battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and transmission line development. Often larger-scale infrastructure projects. Many of these programs are still ramping up. New funding opportunities continue to open as agencies implement the legislation. Set up alerts on Funding Landscape to catch new opportunities as they're announced.

Energy Efficiency and Building Programs

Building efficiency represents a major funding category. Programs target everything from residential weatherization to commercial building retrofits to industrial energy management. Key programs include: state weatherization assistance (ongoing), commercial building tax deductions, industrial efficiency rebates, and building electrification incentives. Eligibility varies. Some programs target low-income households, others focus on commercial buildings, and others are available broadly. Check specific program requirements.

How to Search for Energy Grants

On Funding Landscape, several search strategies work well for energy opportunities: By technology: Search 'solar grants', 'wind energy', 'battery storage', 'hydrogen', 'geothermal' By application: Search 'building efficiency', 'grid resilience', 'EV charging', 'weatherization' By agency: Search 'DOE grants', 'ARPA-E', 'California Energy Commission', or your state's energy office By program: Search 'IRA rebates', 'IIJA grants', 'EERE funding' Filter by deadline to prioritize time-sensitive opportunities. Many energy grants have multiple funding rounds, so setting alerts ensures you catch future cycles.