Reaping the Benefits of Solar

What is Rural Energy for America Program?

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant is a federal program that provides financial assistance to rural businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This program has recently been updated under the Inflation Reduction Act, which has increased the grant amount and made it more accessible to a wider range of businesses.

What are the main benefits of REAP Grant?

One of the key benefits of the USDA solar energy program is that it can significantly accelerate the return on investment (ROI) for a commercial solar system. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program can provide loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent o eligible projects costs, REAP Grants for up to 40 percent of total eligible project costs, or a combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of the eligible project costs.

For many businesses, the ROI for a commercial solar system can be anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on factors such as system size, location, and energy costs. However, with the REAP Grant, the ROI can be reduced to as little as 2 to 4 years or less. This means that businesses can start seeing a return on their investment much sooner, and start reaping the financial benefits of solar energy sooner.

Another key benefit of the REAP Grant is that it can be used in conjunction with other financial incentives, such as the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and state-level rebates. These incentives can further reduce the payback period for a solar installation, making it an even more attractive investment for rural businesses.

Who can apply for REAP Grant?

The REAP Grant is open to a wide range of rural businesses, including manufacturers, farms, ranches, and small businesses. In order to be eligible for the grant, businesses must be located in a rural area. Additionally, businesses must demonstrate that the proposed project will save energy, reduce costs, and have a positive impact on the environment.

Wondering how much you can save with the USDA reap grant?

While you can save a whopping 40-50% on installation costs with this federal grant, we believe the more important question to ask is, “how much can I save by going solar?”. Before even considering the endless savings you will see once your system is up and running, you can reduce installation costs by over 50%!

This comes from the combination of the REAP Grant’s funding for solar, and the solar investment tax credit (ITC). While only agricultural or commercial solar projects are eligible for the REAP Grant, the ITC applies to all solar installations – including residential projects.

It should be made clear that this isn’t some sort of scam or gimmick, and that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on in order for you to reap the benefits of this program. Luckily for you, our grant-writer will take care of all the nitty-gritty details.

That being said, we understand how this can sound almost too good to be true… but we promise: it’s just that good. Not only could the REAP grant save you up to 40-50%, but you will also benefit from the ITC (which covers an additional 30%), MACRS accelerated depreciation AND the fact that there’s no sales tax on solar installations in Florida.

With all of those incentives combined, the payback period for commercial projects can be as short as four years! Given that the ITC won’t be around forever, there has really never been a better time to invest in alternative energy like solar.

What is an eligible area for REAP Grant?

REAP Grant is a valuable program for rural businesses looking to invest in a commercial solar system. With the recent increase under the Inflation Reduction Act, it can help to greatly accelerate the ROI of a solar system, and make it a much more attractive investment. Whether you are a farm, ranch, small business, or manufacturer, the REAP Grant can help your business to save money, reduce its carbon footprint, and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Check the USDA-REAP Rural Eligibility Map to make sure your business address is located in an eligible rural area.