Investing in energy projects, whether for increased efficiency or in renewable approaches can bE pricey. Colorado agricultural irrigators, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries and cold storage facilities can apply for funds to help defray the cost of such programs, and the deadline for the applications has been extended to April 12 from March 15.

The amount available for assistance in fiscal year 2019 is $250,000. The funding is part of the multiagency Colorado Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program. This program provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to install and maintain projects that address natural resource concerns in the state. The current funding includes $200,000 for energy efficiency projects and $50,000 for renewable energy efforts. The funding is provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency grant program.

The efficiency program provides a turnkey approach aimed at making efficiency improvements easy for producers. The program provides free energy audits, renewable energy site assessments and technical support services to about 60 Colorado producers annually. The Colorado Energy Office administers the program and funds the energy audits and technical support services, along with some project financing. USDA and CDA also provide funding for project implementation and additional services.

Application requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in the agricultural efficiency program and complete either an energy audit to receive funding for efficiency projects, or a preliminary site assessment and technical report, to receive funding for renewable energy projects. Applicants may receive up to $50,000 per project.

Additional federal funding may be available. Eligible energy efficiency projects are limited to those recommended in the energy audit report. Eligible renewable energy technologies are limited to thermal systems for hot or chilled water; process heat or space conditioning; and solar photovoltaic systems. Renewable energy tech for thermal systems include geothermal and advanced heat pump systems, and solar thermal technologies.

Applications are available online at  CEO's ag energy efficiency webpage and at CDA's ACRE3 energy program webpage. Applications must be received by CDA before 4 p.m. April 12.

You can check out a video featuring two 2018 projects at CDA's Facebook webpage.

Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture. The source is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.