This spring, DOE’s Renew America’s Schools Program hosted a webinar series to inform schools of a new opportunity for funding energy improvements. 

This began with an overview of the tax credits in a “101” style session, then a “201” webinar where experts explained key terms and concepts for schools pursuing the tax credits. See below for some of our key takeaways. 

Direct Pay is An Opportunity Right Now 

School districts are preparing to submit for direct pay now. Seattle Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools joined us on the webinars to share information on their projects submitting for elective pay and to offer advice to school districts. 

• Seattle Public Schools has geothermal heat pump projects in new schools across their district which are being submitted for tax credits. IRA tax credits can apply to both new construction and renovations. 
• Loudoun County Public Schools is collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders and experts to determine eligible technologies and take advantage of this opportunity. 

This is a Different Type of Federal Funding 

The “101” webinar session provided a high-level overview of this new funding opportunity and how it differs from other types of federal funding. 

• Unlike a grant, tax credits are unlimited and generally non-competitive.  
• Credits can be combined with grants – as long as the combined value of a grant and tax credit do not exceed the total cost of a project.   
• Elective pay applies to clean energy machines such as geothermal heat pumps, solar energy, energy storage, clean commercial vehicles, and in specific locations, EV chargers. 

Watch the recording or view the slides from our “Beyond Grants” webinar to learn more. 

Plan Ahead to Take Full Advantage of This Opportunity 

The “201” webinar went more in depth and discussed how understanding important terms and concepts pertaining to these tax credits can prepare schools and partners to access this opportunity. 

• The IRA tax credits are in statute until 2032. Speakers covered the timeline for submission, as well as terms such as construction commenced, placed in service, and taxable year. 
• The tax credit rate depends on many factors, and projects meeting certain requirements can receive much higher credits. Location, prevailing wage and apprenticeship, and domestic content were discussed in more detail during this webinar. 

Watch the recording or view the slides from our webinar “Going Deeper” to learn more. 

Resources Shared in the Webinars 

Thank you to the panelists for joining. Here are some of the resources referenced in the webinar. 

• Schools and the IRA - UndauntedK12 – Resources relevant to topics covered in the webinar to help leaders in the education space navigate the tax credits in this generational funding opportunity.  
• Center for Green Schools – Informational resources on making schools more sustainable, healthy, and resilient. 
• Clean Energy Tax Credits for Schools Factsheet - This resource provides an overview on how tax credits can be used to advance energy projects in schools.  
• DOE Teaming List - The Teaming Partner List facilitates connections between school districts and industry partners willing to support schools with meeting their energy and climate goals. Join here! 

Submitting for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize? Be sure to submit on HeroX before the deadline Thursday, June 13 by 5pm ET.