Agricultural Clean Energy Technical Assistance Program (ACE TAP)

The Agricultural Clean Energy Technical Assistance Program (ACE TAP) is designed to help Rhode Island farmers and agribusinesses streamline the process of applying to the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in tandem with the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program (RI AgEP).  ACE TAP will provide a competitively procured and selected technical assistance vendor to assist farmers in applying for the REAP grant opportunity, helping to complete application documents, providing necessary environmental reports, and guiding applicants through the application process. It is important to note that entities using ACE TAP must simultaneously apply for USDA REAP and the RI AgEP opportunity to be eligible for technical assistance. Utilizing both programs will improve the return on investment for agricultural clean energy projects, especially when paired with the tax credit or other incentive programs available to RI Farmers. Click on OER's Incentive Landing Page to learn more about all incentive opportunities available to an agricultural producer. 

Click to learn more about our REAP TAG Technical Assistance Vendors

GDS Associates

Hillview Environmental LLC 

USDA REAP and the RI AgEP are functionally similar grant programs, offering funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects such as solar, energy storage, ground and air source heat pumps, and much more. USDA REAP offers:  

  • Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs 
  • Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs 
  • Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs. 

The RI AgEP offers up to $20,000 in funds for eligible projects located in Rhode Island. Many applicants simultaneously apply for USDA REAP, Commerce RI’s Renewable Energy Fund, Clean Heat RI, or others. For more information, follow the links below:

 

USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program (RI AgEP) OER's State and Federal Energy Incentives Page

Farm Energy Profiles 

The energy profiles below highlight the success of projects which utilized multiple federal and state incentive opportunities, leveraging the best return on investment for their projects. If you've participated in these programs and are interested in participating in a video profile, please reach out to Abbie Hasenfus at Abigail.Hasenfus@energy.ri.gov. 

Contact Us

Abigail Hasenfus | Renewable Energy Programs Manager | abigail.hasenfus@energy.ri.gov