Inventors may seek U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding for energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies through three routes: the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer program (SBTR), the Advance Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), or through an unsolicited proposal.

The SBIR/SBTR programs are operated by federal agencies that have substantial R&D budgets, through a set-aside mechanism tailored for competitions among small businesses only. For more information, see the Small Business Innovation Research Web site at Small Business Innovation Research.

ARPA-E was established within DOE under the 2007 America Competes Act. ARPA-E's mission is to fund projects that will develop transformational technologies that reduce America's dependence on foreign energy imports; reduce U.S. energy-related emissions (including greenhouse gasses); improve energy efficiency across all sectors of the U.S. economy and ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies. For more information see the ARPA-E Web site at Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).

Inventors may also seek funding by submitting an unsolicited proposal to EERE. For more information, see the unsolicited proposals page on this Web site.

Financial opportunities for both wind energy and water power projects are available through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The resources listed here include opportunities from DOE and the Office of EERE, specific opportunities for small businesses, and additional opportunities from DOE, DOE's national laboratories, and other agencies.

About Wind and Water Financial Opportunities

The Wind and Water Power Program focuses on technological development to improve the reliability and affordability of wind energy, as well as addressing barriers to wind energy deployment; the program also focuses on research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies capable of generating electricity from water. The program strongly prefers to award funding for research and development activities through competitive solicitations.

The program does not fund the purchase or installation of wind or water energy systems by individuals or companies. For information on federal grants and tax incentives for the purchase and operation of wind and water energy systems, please see "Grants and Tax Incentives" below.

Wind and Water Power Solicitations

Proposals for wind or water energy research, development, and demonstration projects should be submitted to the Wind and Water Power Program in response to a competitive solicitations. The following are solicitations posted by the program.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy is providing funding to states and territories to support consumer rebate programs for ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Under these programs, consumers can receive rebates to purchase energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances. Eligibility guidelines, covered products, and rebate amounts differ by state, so consumers should review program requirements carefully.

Rebates for clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and refrigerator recycling re-opened July 1, 2010 and will continue through June 30, 2011 or until funds are exhausted. rebates for central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps began april 1, 2010; rebates for electric heat pump water heaters and solar gas backup water heaters began april 9, 2010; and rebates for boilers, furnaces, and gas water heaters began February 1, 2010. Gas storage water heaters must be purchased before February 15, 2011 to be eligible. Otherwise, all rebates for central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, electric heat pump water heaters, solar gas back backup water heaters, boilers and furnaces are available through June 30, 2011 or until funds are exhausted.