Energy Loan Fund

June 14, 2024

Summary

Note: Loan applications for fiscal year 2024 will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

The Energy Loan Fund provides low-cost financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to Ohio-based businesses with less than 500 employees, manufacturers enrolled in the Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers, nonprofits, and public entities. For further information regarding eligibility, please view the Program Guidelines.

Loans can range between $250,000 and $2.5 million depending on the project. Funding is provided through the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund and the Federal State Energy Program.

  • $4.5 million each fiscal year is available to Ohio manufacturers, commercial businesses, municipalities, hospitals, and nonprofits with the minimum loan amount being $250,000 and the maximum loan amount being $2.5 million.
  • $4 million each fiscal year is available to Ohio public K-12 schools with the minimum loan amount being $250,000 and the maximum amount being $2.5 million.

The applications must demonstrate a minimum  15% reduction in energy use as a result of the project. Other evaluation criteria include the application’s completeness, whether the application meets the requirements of applicable state and/or federal funding sources, the type of eligible technologies utilized and the extent of energy savings achieved as a result of the project, extent of job creation and improvement in environmental quality as a result of the project, extent of match investment in the project, the project readiness and timeline to complete the project by deadline of certain funding sources, applicant’s need for financial assistance to complete the project, and the advancement of the mission of the Office of Energy.

See the website above for complete details and information on where to submit a pre-application.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Financial Incentive
State: Ohio
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Web Site: https://development.ohio.gov/community/redevelopment/energy-loan-fund
Administrator: Ohio Development Services Agency
Start Date: 12/15/2011
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Thermal Electric
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Combined Heat & Power
  • Landfill Gas
  • Lighting
  • Chillers
  • Boilers
  • Heat recovery
  • Energy Mgmt. Systems/Building Controls
  • Duct/Air sealing
  • Building Insulation
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Other EE
  • Microturbines
  • LED Lighting
  • HVAC
  • Lithium-ion
Maximum Loan: $250,000 - $2.5 million
Loan Term: Maximum 15 years

Contact

Name: Office of Energy and Environment
Organization: Department of Development
Address: 77 South High Street, 29th Floor
Columbus OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-6797
Email: energy@development.ohio.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.