Your Partner in Energy Efficiency
CT Farm Energy aims to provide information as it pertains to energy and agriculture in Connecticut through the CFEP website, email updates, publications, workshops and events it hosts and participates in.
The First Stop for Farm Energy Opportunities
CFEP serves as a resource and clearinghouse for information about on-farm energy opportunities in relation to grant opportunities, financial incentives, loans, audits, educational opportunities and events for agriculture producers & agriculture based rural small businesses located in Connecticut. CFEP works closely with federal, state and local partner organizations.
Grant Writing Assistance
CFEP provides technical assistance in the form of grant writing to eligible Connecticut agriculture producers & agriculture based rural small businesses in applying for USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants. REAP Grants which are part of the USDA Farm Bill, provide assistance to those who are eligible with energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Guidance for Additional Opportunities
In addition to the REAP grant writing assistance, the Connecticut Farm Energy Program can direct you to other appropriate state and federal programs with sources of funding, incentives and financing available to help you complete your energy project.
A History of Supporting Connecticut Farms
Since 2010 the Connecticut Farm Energy Program has helped CT farms & agriculture based rural small businesses secure over $7.4 million dollars in REAP grant assistance and loans through USDA Rural Development. These grant dollars were 25% of project costs until 2023 when the REAP grant was increased up to 50%. When leveraged equals over 32.6 million dollars in energy efficient and renewable energy projects implemented in Connecticut. Additionally, the Connecticut Farm Energy Program also assists with securing other incentives, rebates, grants, and financing to help CT farms and rural small businesses become energy sustainable.
CT Farm Energy Assistance
Below is a list of information on federal, state, local, and utility incentive programs to help you implement energy efficiency and renewable forms of energy on your farm.
The Farm Transition Grant Program (FTG) (C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k) is a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.
https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/ADaRC/Publications/Farm-Transition-Grant
Contact: 860-563-0015
Committed to making green energy accessible and affordable to everyone in the state. By creating a flourishing green energy marketplace, we contribute to a better quality of life, a better environment and a better future for all. We create jobs. We grow businesses. We help people thrive. We innovate, educate and activate to accelerate the growth of green energy.
Contact: 860-257-2176
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a program of the Connecticut Green Bank. As the nation’s first full-scale green bank, we leverage public and private funds to drive investment and scale up energy efficiency and clean energy deployment in Connecticut. The Connecticut Green Bank launched C-PACE in January 2013.
The CT Green Bank, formerly known as the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), offers incentives and innovative low-cost financing to encourage homeowners, companies, municipalities and other institutions to support renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Residential scale https://portal.ct.gov/pura/electric/office-of-technical-and-regulatory-analysis/clean-energy-programs/residential-renewable-energy-solutions-program
Non-residential scale https://portal.ct.gov/pura/electric/office-of-technical-and-regulatory-analysis/clean-energy-programs/non-residential-renewable-energy-solutions-program
Contact: 877-947-3873 (877-wise-use)
Get expert advice about saving energy
Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut to make smart energy choices, now and in the future. We provide Connecticut consumers, businesses and communities the resources and information they need to make it easy to save energy and build a clean energy future for everyone in the state. It is an initiative of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities. The initiative has funding support from a charge on customer energy bills.
Expert advice is provided to help your facility operate more efficiently, including rebates for energy savings and renewable energy improvements. We also connect you with funding resources for clean renewable energy or to make energy efficiency improvements (lighting, motors, heating, refrigeration, programmable thermostats, and energy management systems).
In addition to retrofitting programs New Construction Programs are also available. An example includes a project recently completed at Oakridge Dairy Farm in Ellington, CT.
Contact: NRCS, 860-871-4011
The Energy Initiative is designed to help producers improve energy efficiency on their agricultural operations. This initiative provides funding for individual on-farm energy audits, and results which will allow participants to save both money and energy when fully implemented.
Financial assistance is available for site-specific energy analysis of eligible farmsteads and irrigation systems. This analysis, known as an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), is completed by NRCS-certified Technical Service Providers. With a completed AgEMP or other qualifying energy audit, eligible producers can apply for EQIP assistance for the purchase and installation of improvements including but not limited to:
- Lighting
- Plate coolers
- Ventilation and fans
- Irrigation pumps
- Grain dryers
- Greenhouse improvements
- Maple syrup evaporators
- Heating and refrigeration units
- Insulation and building envelope sealing
- Motor controls and variable speed drives
Applications should be made through a Connecticut NRCS office
USDA Rural Development: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Contact: Windsor Area Office, 860-688-7725
Tri-State Energy Coordinator’s Office, Phone: 413-253-4305
- Energy Efficiency funds available: Grants up to $500,000 – cannot exceed 40% of total project cost. Guaranteed Loans are available.
- Energy Generation funds available: Grants up to $1,000,000 maximum – cannot exceed 40% of total project cost. Guaranteed Loans are available.