• Connecticut has energy grants to help reduce reliance on the power grid.power lines 2 image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  Connecticut has its own energy grant programs, ranging from state funded awards, to those sponsored by a local utility company. These programs fund everything from energy education to the construction of a new energy efficient building. All of them have the same purpose, which is to promote energy efficiency and reduce reliance on the grid and traditional power sources. Grants are available for individuals, municipalities and corporations, and award levels can go into the millions of dollars.
  
  

Community Innovations Grant Program

• This grant provides communities and organizations with funds to help educate residents on the benefits of clean energy. Grants range between $250 and $2,000 for individuals and non-governmental organizations, and between $1,000 and $4,000 for Connecticut municipalities. The grants are to be used to encourage residents to sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, which helps utility customers purchase energy from renewable sources. The CTCleanEnergyOptions program funds free solar electric systems for public buildings if the program receives a large amount of support from the community.
  
  Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
  
  200 Corporate Place, 3rd Floor
  
  Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
  
  860-563-0015
  
  ctcleanenergy.com
  
  

On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program

• This program provides funds to developers and corporate customers that wish to put a renewable power generation plant on their building site. This type of technology is called distributed generation because the power is produced on-site, rather than from a centrally located power plant. This helps reduce reliance on the primary power grid. Eligible power generating projects include wind, fuel cells, landfill gas, waste heat recovery (or combined heat and power, CHP), biomass and hydropower. Grant amounts are determined by the project size and production capabilities. The maximum award is $4 million, and there is also a feasibility study grant with a maximum award of $50,000.
  
  Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
  
  200 Corporate Place, 3rd Floor
  
  Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
  
  860-563-0015
  
  ctcleanenergy.com
  
  

The United Illuminating Company - Energy Conscious Blueprint Grant Program

• This program is intended for large buildings that are either new construction or undergoing a significant renovation, and only commercial, industrial or municipal customers are eligible. The grants are incentive-based and are awarded on the amount of energy that your building and its equipment will save. Eligible equipment can be anything from lighting to air conditioning systems, so long as it is more energy efficient than conventional systems. The award also applies to other building components, such as high-performance exterior building materials. The maximum award is $750,000 for any project and design assistance is available from the utility, and their staff will work closely with the architects and engineers on your project to maximize both the energy efficiency and the amount of the grant award.
  
  The United Illuminating Company
  
  P.O. Box 1564
  
  New Haven, CT 06506-0901
  
  203-499-2025
  
  uinet.com