The USDA launched a program to help rural business owners and agricultural producers enhance their operations with clean renewable energy. The Rural Energy for America Program gives businesses located in areas with populations of 50,000 residents or less access to grant money that can pay a major portion of the costs associated with installing solar panels up to $1,000,000.  Between the REAP grant (50% of the project cost), the 30% federal tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act, depreciation and other incentives, many rural business owners would only have to pay a small fraction of the actual costs of installing solar on their property.

Here at Good Energy Solutions, we’re helping small businesses and agriculture producers in Kansas and Missouri to work through the process of applying for the grant. Not only can we assist you to figure out if your operation is a good candidate for this federal program, but we can also make sure you maximize all of the benefits that come along with utilizing the REAP grant for solar.

There are several grant application windows with deadlines of December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024. We generally aim to have all of the paperwork put together at least 30 days before the deadlines to ensure the process goes smoothly. If you begin work on the project before the USDA has reviewed and approved the application, you may run the risk that the project may not be funded or the money you’ve spent up until that point may not be recouped. Also, it’s important to know that any orders, purchases, down payments, etc., completed before the application is submitted to the USDA are not eligible for reimbursement, even if the application is subsequently approved.

The USDA’s goal with this program is to help increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy for small businesses and agricultural producers.

If you have questions about the REAP grant and if it makes sense for your business, one of our solar consultants can review your situation and walk you through the application process.  Reach out to them here or give us a call at (785) 371-1198.

*The information in this blog has been updated on November 16, 2023.