Agricultural Energy Program
Administered by Office of Energy Resources
The Agricultural Energy Grant Program provides up to $20,000 in grant funding to help Rhode Island farms implement energy efficiency improvements (like LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, or insulation) or renewable energy projects (solar, small wind, or battery storage). To apply, your farm must have generated at least $2,500 in annual farming income and completed an energy audit; you'll need to contribute at least 10% of project costs, though demonstrating additional funding sources strengthens your application. Submit your completed application by the deadline to Abigail.Hasenfus@energy.ri.gov for consideration on a rolling basis.
This program supports agricultural customers pursuing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with grants up to $20,000 and prioritizes non-utility-scale projects demonstrating farm-related renewable use. Your customers must be agricultural operations (dairy, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, or similar), have earned at least $2,500 from farming annually, and have completed an energy audit before applying; a 10% cost-share is required, though projects with additional funding sources receive higher priority. You can help customers identify eligible technologies and prepare applications through the Program Guidance documents available from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources.
The Agricultural Energy Grant Program, managed by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, distributes up to $20,000 per project funded through Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds on a rolling basis with a November 6, 2026 deadline. Eligible applicants are agricultural operations (including dairy, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture, and forestry) with minimum $2,500 annual farming income and a completed energy audit; projects require 10% cost-share and receive higher priority if they demonstrate additional funding sources and focus on non-utility-scale, farm-related renewable energy use. The program leverages complementary state and federal incentives (USDA REAP, Federal Investment Tax Credit, Rhode Island Energy programs) and offers free energy audits through GDS Associates funded by USDA.
Program details
- Program ID
- 21861
- Last updated
- 5/21/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- agricultural
- Technologies
- solar space heat solar thermal process heat solar photovoltaics biomass wind (small) building insulation motor vfds led lighting hvac lithium-ion
Program summary
The Agricultural Energy program provides grants to agricultural businesses in the state to improve their energy efficiency and promote adoption of renewable energy technologies.
Eligibility
Only agricultural businesses are eligible to apply for the program. The agricultural operations may include horticulture, viticulture, floriculture, forestry, stabling of horses, dairy farming, aquaculture, the raising of livestock (including the production of fiber), furbearing animals, poultry, or bees. The business must have produced at least $2,500 in annual income from farming operations.
The program funds both energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Energy efficiency projects may include technologies to improve efficiency of the farm. Eligible renewable energy sources include photovoltaics, small-scale wind, solar thermal, and energy storage. Any other farm related energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will be considered.
Program description
The program provides grants up to $20,000 to help with direct costs associated with implementing the project. There is an applicant cost-share requirement of at least 10% of total project costs, but projects that demonstrate other sources for funding are more likely to be funded.
Higher priority will be given to non-utility scale, or non-large scale commercial projects that demonstrate predominately agriculturally related renewable energy use.
The farm operation must have performed or initiated an energy efficiency audit prior to the submittal of the application.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- info@rifarmenergy.org
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
