How the REAP Grant Can Change the Financial Impact of a Photovoltaic Solar System
For the overwhelming majority of businesses, both big and small, the bottom line is of top concern. So when it comes to local businesses considering the viability of a photovoltaic solar system install, they often have to weigh the benefits of investing in a sustainable energy source as well as long-term savings versus the initial cost of the install. Fortunately, there are a number of programs that can help to offset the financial burden of investing in renewable energy, most notably the REAP Grant program.
In 2008, the United States Congress created the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), as a means of providing funding to farmers and rural business owners that choose to invest in sustainability practices. According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), “REAP has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and loan guarantees to fund thousands of renewable energy projects across the country.”
While many small business owners are looking for ways that they can help to offset the negative environmental impacts of conventional fossil fuel reliant systems, shelling out the necessary financial commitment to install these systems can be difficult. That’s where REAP has come in and become a significant component to the private sector investment in sustainability.
According to the US Department of Agriculture’s office of Rural Development, REAP grants and loan guarantees can be used for renewable energy systems ranging from biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, wind generation, and of course solar generation systems. While applying for a REAP grant can be a challenging process, at Northstone Solar we are committed to taking on the application process for any and all of our small business clients.
Throughout the past three years, we at Northstone Solar have submitted a total of six REAP grant proposals saving a total of $85,000 for our clients. Northstone Solar Owner Curran Edland firmly believes that our ability to offer the REAP grant as part of our service is something that can set us apart from other companies and make the decision to invest in a photovoltaic solar system that much easier for business owners in Montana.
“The application process for the REAP takes a good deal of time, by handing the responsibility off to us, you get the benefit of a team that has streamlined the application process,” said Edland. “You get the relationship we have with the USDA office as return customers, and you get the peace of mind in knowing that your application will be submitted correctly with the best chance of success.”
For additional information on photovoltaic solar arrays and the potential savings of a REAP grant (for business owners), contact Northstone Solar today.
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