Small grants for community groups to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and power bills
Energy Efficient Communities Program – Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020
The Energy Efficient Communities Program - Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020 provides community groups with grants up to $12,500 for energy efficient equipment, energy generation and storage systems, and energy audits.
Important
- There will be a maximum of 2 projects funded per electorate, with the first 2 eligible projects funded.
- We will monitor the number of applications received from each electorate and 'close electorates' once we have received 6 applications per electorate.
- While only the first 2 eligible applications, based on time and date will be funded, we will allow up to 6 in the event there are any that are ineligible.
- An eligible application will not automatically be approved.
What do you get?
Grants from $1,000 to $12,500
Who is this for?
This grant opportunity is for incorporated not-for-profit organisations.
Overview
The objective of this grant opportunity is to support community organisations across Australia to:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- improve energy efficient practices
- increase the uptake of energy efficient technologies
There is an estimated $3.8 million available for this grant opportunity and there'll be a maximum of 2 projects funded per electorate.
- The maximum grant amount is $12,500
- The maximum project period is 12 months
You can use your grant for one or more of the following:
- design, supply and installation of new solar photovoltaic generator systems
- purchase and installation of new battery systems and battery storage systems
- purchase and installation of new solar hot water heaters or air source hot water heat pumps, to replace existing equipment
- purchase and installation of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting equipment or energy efficient lighting controls to replace existing equipment
- design, supply and installation of high efficiency split system air conditioning units to replace existing equipment energy audits
- energy audits
We expect that there'll be a high level of interest for this grant opportunity and it will likely be oversubscribed. This means that we'll not automatically approve an eligible application. We'll decide which grants to approve by taking into account submission time and date and distribution across federal electoral divisions.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible you must:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
You're also eligible if you're a rural fire service, country fire authority or other state/territory equivalent.
You should read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreement before you apply.
We can only accept applications:
- that demonstrate that you'll use an appropriately licensed and accredited installer, where this is a requirement of these guidelines (see Appendix A of the Guidelines)
- that include a letter of consent from the building or facility owner/manager, if you're not the owner/manager (see template at Appendix B of the Guidelines)
- that include a completed Supplier Declaration from the supplier or installer confirming that the products installations and works meet the eligibility requirements (see template at Appendix C of the Guidelines)
- where you agree that you'll obtain approval for grid connection, where relevant, prior to installing any solar photovoltaic system (if approval is not obtained, we may require the grant funding to be paid back)
- that provide the relevant mandatory attachments
- that provide at least 1 current quote for your project that meets the requirements set out in Appendix A of the Guidelines
We cannot waive the eligibility criteria under any circumstances.
You're not eligible to apply if you're:
- a for-profit entity
- a Commonwealth, State, Territory, or local government body (including government business enterprises), unless you are a rural fire service, country fire authority, or other
- state/territory equivalent. However, you are eligible to apply if you are an eligible entity that occupies a building or facility owned by a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government, subject to obtaining the consent of the building owner (see template at Appendix B)
- an individual
- an educational facility such as primary, secondary schools, tertiary (universities, colleges, TAFE) and/or related entity such as P&C association
- a group that use the site primarily for gambling or the sale of alcohol
- a political party, political organisation or lobbyist
- a military service unit
- any group whose activities unnecessarily seek to exclude individuals or groups of residents by means of a form of discrimination
- a solar installation service provider or associated with a solar installation company
- a group that applies for a site that is a domestic residence (except for care facilities that are owned or occupied by community organisations)
- a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- a non-corporate Commonwealth entity
Applying
How do you apply?
The Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants are currently closed to applications.
We assess your application against the eligibility criteria.
We'll then review all eligible applications taking into account submission time and date, distribution across electorates, and value with relevant money, before recommending which projects to fund. There'll be a maximum of 2 projects funded per electorate.
The program delegate will make the final decision.
We'll advise you of the outcome of your application in writing. If you're successful, we advise you of any specific conditions attached to the grant.
Successful applicants must enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The grant agreement will specify the reporting requirements, payment schedule and milestones necessary to receive payments.
We’ll pay 100% of the grant on execution of the grant agreement. We'll require you to report how you spent the grant funds at the completion of the project. Please note that you'll need to ask your supplier to fill out a Supplier report form to submit with your final report.
We'll make payments by direct credit into your nominated bank account.
Need help?
Let us answer your question via phone, email or live chat. And if we can't help, we'll put you in touch with someone who can.
- Phone:
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Open Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia
- Website:
Key documents
Fact sheet
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