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State Energy Program (SEP): $126,089,000

Solar for Schools & Shelters ($10,000,000) Contract Executed February 10, 2010

This program will support the installation of photovoltaic systems with battery back-up on strategically located schools and emergency shelters throughout the state. The FECC will coordinate with the Florida Solar Energy Center to select 90 co-located schools and emergency shelters in Florida and install 10 kW and larger solar systems with dataloggers on each site. The program will include operation and maintenance workshops for energy and facilities managers and administer education orientation workshops for teachers. In addition, it will update the www.energywhiz.com Web site to include new system information for each of the 90 schools/shelters. There are four primary objectives to this program: (1) creating or saving green collar jobs by hiring solar contractors to install solar systems; (2) providing power for critical needs during power outages and times of disaster; (3) educating future generations about solar energy technologies; and (4) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Energy (Water Heating) Loan ($10,000,000) Request for Proposal closed 6/1/2010

One of the major challenges to the commercialization of solar energy systems is the large up-front capital costs, with a long term return on investment. This program will create a low-interest solar loan program to assist Florida residents with these initial capital costs, while requiring a manageable low-cost monthly payment. The solar water heating loan program’s revolving design will allow this program to perpetuate and be self-sustaining. By deploying these cost-effective technologies this program will focus on three major objectives: (1) creating or saving green collar jobs; (2) creating a funding mechanism that will make solar water heaters cost-competitive with conventional water heaters; and (3) reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Energy Rebate Program ($14,400,000) FUNDS FULLY COMMITTED

Florida’s existing solar rebate program has successfully catalyzed investment in clean solar energy technologies. These investments have bolstered Florida’s clean energy economy and created green-collar jobs. The program provides a $4/per Watt rebate on photovoltaic systems, with a maximum rebate amount of $20,000 for residential systems and $100,000 for commercial systems. In addition, the program provides a $500 rebate for residential solar water heaters, a rebate of $15 per 1,000 Btu up to a maximum of $5,000 for commercial solar water heaters and a $100 rebate for solar pool heaters. Due to the tremendous demand and limited availability of state funding, a significant backlog in solar rebate applications occurred. Through the advent of SEP funds the state was able to provide $14,400,000 in funding to address the backlog in rebate applications. The SEP funds have been fully committed.

E-85/B20 Public Fueling – Conversion Revolving Loan ($5,000,000) RFP closed 6/1/2010

This program will increase the availability of E85 and B20 biofuels to consumers at retail stations throughout Florida by providing low-interest loans to fuel station owners to install E85 or B20 tanks and pumps at their facilities. There are over 500,000 flex fuel vehicles traveling on Florida roadways with very limited access to E85 fuel. With this program, Floridians will have access to biofuels at as many as 160 additional locations. One of the major challenges for station owners in the installation of alternative fuel tanks and pumps is the large up-front cost and limited access to capital due to current credit market conditions. This program will alleviate that hurdle by assisting owners with the cost of installation of these alternative fuel tanks and pumps by providing low-interest loans. This program compliments the emphasis provided to alternative fuel production facilities by the State of Florida in current law and previous appropriations.

Florida Residential Retrofit Program ($15,000,000) RFP in Development

The Florida Residential Retrofit program, upon independent verification of the completed improvements, will offer a rebate to Florida homeowners that have an energy audit and make sufficient energy efficient improvements to capture at least a 20 percent improvement in their home energy efficiency. The program targets Florida’s pool of older homes to become more energy efficient and to lay the ground work for a long term market-based program that offers a whole-house approach for reducing energy use. The program will work with the existing pool of energy inspectors, auditors, contractors, and county building inspectors.

Shovel Ready Energy Project Grants ($19,517,700) Grant Agreements Pending - Department of Energy (DOE) Review Continuing

This program leverages Florida’s state energy grant initiatives to identify “shovel-ready” projects that can be expeditiously implemented through available SEP funding. The goal is to provide grants for competitively-selected renewable energy and energy efficiency technology projects. The grant program is designed to stimulate capital investment in the state and promote and enhance the statewide utilization of renewable energy technologies. The top ten ranked (but unfunded) projects from FY 2008-09 grant applications from the Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technology category as well as the Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technology for Bioenergy category have been selected to receive funding. Before funding is awarded, the applicant must undergo eligibility and environmental review by the U.S. Department of Energy and agree to the requirements applicable under the ARRA.

Florida Clean Energy Grants ($22,993,461) Solicitation Closed 6/18/2010

The Clean Energy Grant program will provide funding to promote energy efficiency measures and renewable energy deployment for eligible public, not-for-profit, and agricultural entities. The maximum amount for an individual award is $500,000 with a minimum amount of $100,000. The program will be subdivided into two categories. Eligible applicants under Category 1 ($8,000,000) include Florida state and local governments who did not receive a direct allocation of funds from the U.S. DOE for the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program, school districts, public universities and colleges, Florida Constitutional Officers, independent special districts, and not-for-profit companies. Existing Florida farms and farm operations will be considered eligible applicants under Category 2 ($2,000,000).

Florida Renewable Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Grants (FREEC)

As a result of action taken by the Florida Energy and Climate Commission on June 30, 2010, $12,993,461 was reprogrammed under the State Energy Program (SEP) in order to fund additional grants to local governments. Local governments receiving reprogrammed dollars were based on the final ranking of the Competitive Grants to Local Governments under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program and each application was reviewed for SEP eligibility. Applications selected for funding from these reprogrammed dollars are listed below within their respective category.

Florida Energy Opportunity Fund - Clean Energy Investment Program (initially $36,089,000) Agreement Executed May 3, 2010

The Florida Opportunity Fund – Clean Energy Investment Program is a direct investment program created to promote the adoption of energy efficient and renewable energy (EE/RE) products and technologies in Florida. The Fund will increase the availability of investment capital in Florida, and is designed to help launch, grow and expand Florida businesses and promote the adoption of commercialized clean energy technology. The program operates as a venture capital fund and will make investments in qualifying businesses. Fund investments are restricted by the State Energy Program statute which requires that funds be used primarily for: (1) facility and equipment improvement with EE/RE products; (2) acquisition or demonstration of renewable energy products; and (3) improvement of existing production, manufacturing, assembly or distribution processes to reduce consumption or increase the efficient use of energy in such processes. The FECC is working with Enterprise Florida and Florida First Partners to manage the program. Please direct any inquiries in connection with the EE/RE direct investment program to the Florida Opportunity Fund website (http://floridaopportunityfund.com).

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fleet Fueling Facilities– Matching Grants ($4,000,000) Grant Solicitation Closed

This program is intended to foster the development and operation of compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet fueling stations throughout Florida by providing matching grants to commercial companies, school districts, local governments, utilities, etc. up to $500,000. The program will provide 25 percent matching funds for projects installed by for-profit entities. Not-for-profit and public entities will be eligible for matching funds of up to 50 percent of installation costs. One of the major challenges for fleet owners is the significant initial cost of installing a CNG fueling station for their fleets. This program will lessen that challenge by assisting facility owners with the acquisition of equipment necessary to operate and maintain CNG fueling facilities.

The Florida Energy and Climate Commission has received the following CNG grant applications.

Applications Received Round 1 (pdf 40.82 kB)

Applications Received Round 2 (pdf 155.00 kB)

NOTICE: Applicants are prohibited from contacting any and all independent evaluators selected by the FECC’s executive director, as well as, any FECC Commissioners and ex-officio FECC Commission members involved with the grant award selection process.