Energy Programs

Florida is increasing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy production and limiting energy impacts on the environment through our wide range of programs. Our programs are designed to stimulate capital investment in the state and promote and enhance the statewide utilization of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies.

Open Programs

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (FDACS) Office of Energy is currently accepting applications under the following programs. Learn more about these programs and how to apply.

Energy Education Kits

K-12 public schools can apply for energy education kits designed to develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities, investigate environmental issues and gain hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. The Energy Curricula and Learning Kits complement the Solar Matters (Grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8) and Understanding Solar Energy (9-12) activity units developed by the Florida Solar Energy Center. Energy Curricula and Learning Kits include wires, motors, milliamp meters, multi-testers, propellers, UV detecting beads, thermometers, prisms, videos, watt meters, reference books, career guides, and various types and sizes of photovoltaic panels.

Performing Programs

The following programs are currently working to achieve their goals. Please note the application window has closed for these programs.

Florida Small Community Energy Efficient Lighting Grant Program

The Florida Small Community Energy Efficient Lighting Grant Program is designed to assist eligible small local government entities in reducing their total energy use and energy costs through the replacement of inefficient lighting with energy-efficient lighting.

Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP)

The FDACS Office of Energy was awarded $15.2 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation to increase the availability of infrastructure capable of dispensing higher blends of biofuels. The FDACS Office of Energy applied to the BIP program on behalf of Protec Fuel Management LLC. Protec for the installation of 605 biofuel “blender pumps” that are capable of disbursing biofuel blends in a range of 15 percent to 85 percent (E15 to E85). Since retrofits under this program began in May 2016, 201 blender pumps and four dedicated E85 pumps have been installed at a total of 43 fuel station locations in Florida. 

Farm to Fuel

The Farm to Fuel initiative began in 2006. Under Section 570.954, Florida Statutes, FDACS worked to enhance the market for biomass created from Florida-grown crops, promote production and distribution, and enhance the value of these agricultural products within the state. FDACS awarded 14 grants, totaling $25 million. The grants were for research and development of various feedstock for the production of biofuel and for the construction of biodiesel and ethanol plants throughout the state.

Florida Alternative Fuel Resiliency Plan

The FDACS Office of Energy is working with the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to examine how our state can maximize its existing alternative transportation fuels and identify new ways we can use alternative fuels after a natural or man-made disaster in order for Floridians to return to a normal way of life as quickly as possible.

Florida Energy Technology Cost Share Program — Efficiency and Renewable Improvements in Commercial Aquaculture (ERICA)

ERICA is helping increase energy efficiency, reduce energy usage, and lower operating costs at commercial aquaculture facilities in Florida. This grant program provides grant reimbursement for technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency and renewable energy for eligible commercial aquaculture facilities and farms located in Florida.

Florida Counties Low-Income Residential Energy Efficient Grant Program

The Florida Counties Low-Income Residential Energy Efficient Grant Program was developed to create more energy-efficient dwellings to improve the lives of low-income families and reduce the burden of residential high energy cost expenditures.

Florida Renewable Energy Tax Incentives

The Florida Renewable Energy Tax Incentives consisted of three tax incentive programs that represented a total of $89 million in potential tax credits or sales tax refunds over the life of the program. The intended goals of the program are to increase renewable energy production within the state and to create new jobs for Floridians.

Florida Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Program

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Program was developed to Florida publicly owned wastewater treatment plants reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the costs of wastewater.

Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds

State, local and tribal governments can use their allocation for low-interest federal bonds for qualified energy projects. Examples of qualified projects include renewable energy installations, green communities, research and development efforts, energy efficiency improvements to public buildings, efficiency/energy reduction measures for mass transit, and energy efficiency education campaigns. 

Rural Community Energy Efficiency Grant Program (RCEE)

The Florida Low Income Rural Energy Efficiencies (RCEE) Grant Program provided funding to eligible local government entities in Rural Areas of Opportunities for projects that implement energy-efficient upgrades to publicly owned community-use facilities, traffic control devices and/or street lighting. The total funding available under this program was $346,760. The city of Marianna is using $175,000 to update 34-year-old lighting equipment at the Marianna Educational Recreational Expo.

REET Grant Matching Program 

The REET Grant Program is a competitive grant program designed to provide funding for projects to conduct demonstration, commercialization, research and development projects relating to renewable energy technologies and innovative technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency for vehicles and commercial buildings.

SunSmart E-Shelter Schools Maximization Project

In 2010, the FDACS Office of Energy outfitted 86 schools across the state with 10kW bimodal photovoltaic arrays with battery backup. These systems provide power to critical loads during emergencies while offsetting electricity costs during normal operation. With additional funds from utilities, the program expanded to 118 solar systems at schools in 46 of Florida's 67 counties. These systems have weathered numerous tropical storms and hurricanes over the past nine years. To ensure each of the 118 solar systems is operating at optimal potential, the Office of Energy is inspecting each system. The inspection results, as well as how to make improvements, will be directly communicated with each school. Schools will also receive a video tutorial demonstrating the routine maintenance of their system.