Affordable and Clean Energy for Rural Enterprises (ACRE)

The State of Maine’s Department of Energy Resources is offering grant funding and technical assistance to small, rural Maine businesses to adopt clean‑energy and energy‑efficiency solutions. Applicants may receive a Technical‑Assistance award of $5‑10 k (no cost‑share) or an Implementation award of $10‑100 k (20 % cost‑share) to cover audits, equipment purchase, installation, and related services. Funding targets technologies such as solar, wind, biomass, battery storage, high‑efficiency HVAC, insulation, LED lighting, and electric vehicle infrastructure. Projects must start on or after 12/1/2026 and conclude by 11/30/2028, with quarterly reporting requirements. • Eligible entities: small, rural Maine businesses (SBA size standards). • Two award tracks: technical‑assistance (up to $10 k) and implementation (up to $100 k) with a 20 % applicant cost‑share for the latter. • Funding supports commercially available renewable, storage, efficiency, and EV technologies; all costs must be reasonable, necessary, and pre‑approved. • Application deadline 3 Nov 2026; questions due 20 Oct 2026; quarterly narrative and financial reports required; final close‑out due 30 Dec 2028.