Grant Program Information and Eligibility
Leading by Example Executive Order 594, Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government (EO 594), directs state entities to maximize installation of onsite renewable energy to increase the amount of renewable and clean energy on the grid; prioritize the deployment of renewable and clean energy resources; and implement energy storage wherever possible, especially when paired with onsite renewables. The Leading by Example Integrated Solar Grant Program for eligible state entities serves to increase the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) canopy systems that include electric vehicle charging and battery storage deployment efforts at state facilities.
This Program supports the financial viability of integrated solar canopy projects at state facilities. LBE utilizes the term “integrated solar” to refer to behind-the-meter solar canopies that advance broader statewide and LBE goals beyond electricity generation. This means that the Program funds solar canopy projects only and requires projects to include both electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and battery energy storage efforts (i.e., battery energy storage installation or battery energy storage readiness). Eligible projects are intended to result in grid benefits such as demand reduction and/or support state facility electrification.
The intent of this Program is to support the affordability of large-scale integrated solar canopy installations at state facilities that will assist Commonwealth agencies and campuses in reducing energy costs while also supporting the aggressive clean energy targets for state government operations, decarbonization goals, and grid intermittency.
| Grant Award |
Maximum funding requests will vary depending on the project specifics as outlined in the Program Opportunity Notice (PON) (see latest version on COMMBUYS). DOER will primarily take into consideration the capacity of the solar canopy, whether energy storage is being integrated into the system at the time of installation, whether the site has a concrete decarbonization plan and/or committed funding, and whether the project is sited within an Environmental Justice Neighborhood as defined by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. |
| Eligibility | Any executive agency, state institution of higher education, or quasi-public state entity is eligible to apply for a grant award for either Commonwealth-owned or third-party owned integrated solar canopy projects that are behind-the-meter. |
| Eligible Program Funding Costs |
Grant funds can only be used for DOER-approved costs associated with specific project milestones. Allowable grant project milestones (i.e., steps or costs in an approved project that would be eligible for expending grant funding) include, for example:
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| Schedule |
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until allocated funds are awarded or February 1, 2024, whichever comes first. Priority will be given to applications that include a utility interconnection agreement and a signed letter of intent and are submitted to DOER by November 24, 2023. NOTE: Any eligible costs associated with grant-funded projects must be incurred by no later than June 30, 2024, and paid by the end of the FY 2024 Account Pay Period. |
| PON Response Deadline |
February 1, 2024 NOTE: Applications for this grant program will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted prior to the final execution of an agreement with the system constructor – i.e., the final contract with a solar developer for a third-party owned system, or prior to the final contract with a contractor or construction manager if the canopy is to be owned by the Commonwealth. |
| Additional Information | Projects must comply with all program requirements detailed in the PON on COMMBUYS. |
Applications must be submitted via COMMBUYS. LBE staff is available to discuss potential grant projects prior to submission. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact LBE-Grants@mass.gov prior to submitting a grant application to confirm eligibility and availability of funds.
Application Phases and Required Documents
Phase 1: Application Pre-approval
Preliminary pre-approval for a project application may be made based on DOER review and confirmation that the project meets the Program Requirements outlined in Section 4 and the Evaluation Criteria in Section 7 of the PON (see COMMBUYS).
Pre-approval does not guarantee an application’s place in line for Program funding. At DOER’s sole discretion, if another pre-approved project is ready to move to the final grant agreement stage ahead of a project that was pre-approved at an earlier date, priority is given to those projects with demonstrable readiness for a final grant agreement. DOER shall have no liability to any project that applies for funding and is pre-approved but is not subsequently funded as described herein.
Upon this pre-approval, the Applicant has up to three months from the date of application pre-approval to provide the following backup documentation prior to entering into a grant agreement with DOER (Phase 2).
Phase 2: Final Grant Agreement
After a grant agreement (e.g., contract or interagency service agreement) is executed between DOER and the Applicant, project proponents must demonstrate efforts that the installation is moving forward. Any eligible costs associated with grant-funded projects must be incurred by no later than June 30, 2024, and paid by the end of the FY 2024 Account Pay Period. DOER reserves the ability to rescind or withdraw funding, in its sole discretion, if a project is either not moving forward or has not made sufficient, demonstrable progress within three months of executing a grant agreement as per the agreed upon project milestones.
Required Materials
- All applicants must complete the “LBE Integrated Solar Grant Application Form” and submit it via COMMBUYS. Applications must demonstrate that the project meets the program requirements outlined in Section 4 of the PON. DOER reserves the right to waive any requirements should applicants demonstrate sufficient rationale for doing so.
- Applicants must also provide:
- Anticipated schedules for the project implementation, including the start and completion dates and expected timeline for project implementation, if known.
- A signed letter of intent with the selected vendor.
- Copy of submitted utility interconnection application or agreement.
- A copy of the proposal from the selected vendor outlining the project details, including equipment and installation costs described in the grant application form.
How to Apply
All LBE grant applications and relevant attachments must be submitted via COMMBUYS. Applicants must register and sign in with a "seller" account and submit the required documents by creating a "quote."
For guidance, please refer to the OSD Job Aid for Buyers: Creating a Quote in COMMBUYS. Additional guidance can be found on the OSD Job Aids website, or by contacting the OSD Helpdesk: OSDHELPDESK@MASS.GOV,1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197.