Tennessee Solar Institute - Solar Installation Grant Program

*This record is for information purposes only.* TSI will no longer accept applications for Solar Installation Grants.

The program received more applications than ARRA allocations could support. TSI will re-open the program should additional funds become available. The Tennessee Solar Institute is a collaboration between the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, established in 2009. Using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Solar Institute began offering grants* for solar installations in June 2010. Only business entities (including commercial, industrial and agricultural businesses) and non-profit organizations (with 501c3 designation) are eligible to apply. Systems owned by third parties are eligible for funding. Pre-approval is required for all projects. All projects must be built by December 31, 2011, and must follow ARRA reporting requirements in order to receiving funding. Awards totaling half of the $9 million allocated for this initiative have been announced as of August 2010. A full technical review along with the detailed application is required to receive the solar installation incentive. * These grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis as long as the project complies with the program guidelines and meets all eligibility requirements and funding is available. In a typical "grant" program, there is some sort of competition and/or ranking of qualified applicants. This program resembles a rebate program rather than a grant program.