Finding the right funding can help turn an energy project, home improvement, or community investment into reality.
In addition to programs administered by the West Virginia Office of Energy, funding and financial assistance are available through federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners. Explore the resources below to learn more about some of the current opportunities for homeowners and renters, businesses, agricultural producers, local governments, nonprofits, schools, manufacturers, and other West Virginia organizations.
Please note: The opportunities listed on this page are administered by organizations outside of the West Virginia Office of Energy. Eligibility requirements, funding availability, and application deadlines vary by program.
Homeowners and Renters
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
WAP helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters make improvements that can increase home energy efficiency, safety, and comfort while lowering utility costs. In West Virginia, the program is administered through the Community Advancement and Development (CAD) section of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development and a network of local community action agencies. Services may include home energy audits, HVAC repair or replacement, insulation, air sealing, and health and safety improvements.
Utility Company Rebates
Electric and gas utilities across West Virginia may offer rebates and other incentives to help residential and commercial customers make energy-saving upgrades. Depending on the utility and program, eligible improvements may include HVAC equipment, smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, insulation, LED lighting, and high-efficiency home appliances. Residents should contact their utility provider to explore current programs and eligibility requirements.
Rebuilding Together Charleston
Rebuilding Together Charleston helps qualifying homeowners in Kanawha and Putnam counties make critical improvements that support safer, healthier, and more accessible homes. Services may include weatherization, roof and home system repairs, and accessibility modifications. The organization primarily serves seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other homeowners with limited resources.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps eligible households manage heating and cooling costs and avoid energy emergencies or utility shutoffs. Assistance may be provided directly to qualifying residents or through payments to utility providers. The federally funded program is administered in West Virginia by the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Habitat for Humanity Energy Programs
Habitat for Humanity affiliates across West Virginia help qualifying families access safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing. Local affiliates may construct ENERGY STAR-compliant homes and connect eligible homeowners with financing resources, including programs through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund designed to make long-term homeownership more affordable.
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to eligible low-income homeowners in rural communities for home repairs and improvements. Funding may be used to address health and safety concerns, repair structural issues, replace inefficient heating systems, add insulation, and complete other qualifying improvements.
Nonprofits and Local Governments
Appalachian Regional Commission POWER & ARISE Initiatives
The Appalachian Regional Commission provides competitive funding for projects that strengthen communities and economies across Appalachia. The POWER initiative focuses on communities affected by changes in the coal economy, while the ARISE initiative supports collaborative projects that address shared economic development priorities across multiple Appalachian states.
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loans & Grants
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help eligible rural communities develop and improve essential public facilities. Funding may support facilities such as town halls, public safety buildings, health care facilities, and other spaces that provide essential community services.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
CDBG funding supports projects that benefit low- and moderate-income communities. Depending on the funding program and project, resources may support housing rehabilitation, weatherization, energy-efficiency improvements, infrastructure, and other community development priorities. Local governments can also use CDBG grants to construct municipal green energy upgrades.
USDA Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART)
USDA Rural Development financing can support eligible energy projects serving rural communities, including investments in renewable energy and energy storage. The program is designed to help expand access to affordable, reliable energy while supporting rural energy infrastructure.
Industry
Industrial Training and Assessment Centers (IAC)
Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, ITACs provide eligible small and medium-sized manufacturers with no-cost assessments to identify opportunities to improve facility performance. Assessment teams evaluate operations and may recommend ways to reduce energy use and waste, improve productivity, and optimize industrial systems.
Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit
The federal Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, also known as Section 45X, provides tax incentives for the domestic production and sale of certain eligible energy components. Qualifying products may include components used in batteries, solar and wind energy systems, critical minerals, and other technologies.
West Virginia Business Incentives
West Virginia offers a range of tax credits, exemptions, and other incentives designed to encourage business investment and manufacturing growth. Eligible companies may be able to access incentives related to manufacturing equipment, capital improvements, and other qualifying investments.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
The MEP network provides technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Services can help manufacturers improve productivity, adopt new technologies, strengthen operations, and identify opportunities for better energy management.
Energy Workforce Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Labor, and other federal agencies periodically offer workforce development funding for energy-related education, training, and apprenticeship programs. Opportunities may support workforce development across areas including power generation, grid infrastructure, nuclear energy, manufacturing, and energy-efficiency industries.
Businesses and Agriculture
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
USDA Rural Development’s REAP helps eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers invest in energy-efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems. Assistance may include grants, loan guarantees, and technical support for projects ranging from energy audits to equipment and facility upgrades.
NRCS On-Farm Energy Initiative
Through USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial and technical assistance to help agricultural producers improve energy efficiency. Eligible projects may include on-farm energy audits and upgrades to equipment, irrigation systems, greenhouse heating, lighting, and other agricultural operations.
USDA Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
USDA’s CIG supports the development and adoption of new approaches, technologies, and tools for natural resource conservation. Projects may address agricultural energy use while also improving soil health, water quality, farm productivity, and wildlife habitat.
SBA Lending Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs can help eligible businesses finance commercial real estate, equipment, and facility improvements. Certain SBA financing options may support energy-efficient building upgrades and renewable energy projects.
SBIR/STTR Energy Grants
The U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide competitive funding for eligible small businesses conducting research and development. Funding opportunities may support technologies related to energy, grid systems, energy storage, and advanced materials and other emerging innovations.
Schools and Education
DOE Office of Science Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science provides competitive funding for universities, research institutions, and other eligible organizations conducting fundamental scientific research. Research areas span energy sciences, advanced computing, materials, fusion, quantum information science, and other fields that can contribute to future energy technologies.
Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E supports early-stage research and development of emerging energy technologies. Competitive funding opportunities target high-impact innovations with the potential to transform how energy is generated, stored, distributed, and used.
NSF Energy Research
The National Science Foundation supports academic research and innovation across science and engineering disciplines, including research with applications in energy systems. Funding opportunities may include work related to grid technologies, energy storage, advanced materials, and other energy-related research.
EPA Clean School Bus Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program provides funding opportunities to help eligible school districts and other participants replace older school buses with zero-emission or clean-fuel models. Funding may also support associated charging or fueling infrastructure.