In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was enacted, creating a renewable energy grant program. The program is overseen by the United States Department of Treasury, offering a cash grant in lieu of the previous federal business energy investment tax credit.

In July 2009, documents which detailed all deadlines for these new renewable energy grants became available. The details released by the United States Department of Treasury included terms, conditions of the grants and a sample application. If you are interested in applying, there is a preliminary online procedure that can be followed.

The solar energy grant equals 30% of the base of a property, particularly for solar energy. The property must be eligible and include equipment which uses solar energy for the generation of electricity to heat or cool a structure. Solar pool-heating systems are not eligible however hybrid solar lighting systems may be eligible.

The fuel cells grant is equal to 30% of the basis of property for the fuel cells. There is a cap of $1,500 per kilowatt in capacity for this grant.

The small wind turbine grants equal out to 30% of the particular property. These include 100 kilowatt turbines.

Grants also exist for qualified facilities, geothermal heat pumps, micro-turbines and power systems combining heat and power. Only tax-paying entities are eligible for the grants, so federal, state, and local governments, non-profits, cooperative electric companies, and qualified energy tax credit bond lenders are not eligible.