Energy Innovation Grant Program Round 6 Webinar
- The OEI will be hosting an EIGP Round 6 Application Webinar on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Central.
- Round 6 of the Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) opened on April 1, 2026.
- The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 1:30 PM Central.
- The PSC anticipates this sixth round is likely the last unless additional funding is authorized. In the 2025-27 biennial budget, Gov. Evers proposed investing $20 million in the EIGP program, but it was removed by the state legislature.
- Review the Application Instructions for eligible activities and applicant types, scoring criteria, and other relevant program information.
- To register for the webinar and to learn more about EIGP Round 6 and to apply, visit the links below.
Focus on Energy
Quadrennial Planning Process V
- The Public Service Commission has released a memorandum and opened a public comment period seeking input in PSC docket 5-FE-105 on priorities for Focus during Quad V (2027-2030).
- Comments must be received by 1:30 PM Central on Monday, May 4, 2026.
- To read the Quad V planning memo or to file a public comment, visit the links below.
2026 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards
- Focus on Energy has announced the 2026 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award recipients. These awards recognize businesses and Trade Allies throughout Wisconsin that are committed to making positive impacts through energy efficiency.
- The 2026 award winners include:
- Focus on Energy will recognize the winners throughout the year with local events highlighting their achievements and community impact.
- For more information on the excellence awards and the winners, visit the link below.
Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates
- Wisconsin households have received over $11.4 million in rebates for upgrades to improve the efficiency and comfort of their homes and lower their energy bills through the Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebate (IRA HER) programs.
- IRA HER rebates continue to be available for both Single Family and Multifamily buildings under two programs: the Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR).
- The HOMES program offers rebates up to $10,000 for whole-home upgrades estimated to reduce energy use by at least 20%. Common upgrades include:
- Insulation, and air sealing
- Heat pumps for space heating and cooling
- Heat pump water heaters
- ENERGY STAR® appliances, windows, doors, and skylights
- The HEAR program offers rebates for upgrades such as:
- ENERGY STAR heat pumps (up to $8,000)
- ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters (up to $1,750)
- ENERGY STAR insulation, ENERGY STAR ventilation, and air sealing (up to $1,600)
- Upgraded electrical panels (up to $4,000)
- Upgraded electrical wiring (up to $2,500)
- ENERGY STAR heat pump clothes dryers (up to $840)
- ENERGY STAR electric ranges and cooktops (up to $840)
- With warmer temperatures on the way, take advantage of the IRA HER programs now to see how you may be able to make your home more comfortable and lower your energy bills this summer.
- To learn more, to see what may be available for your home, and to find an IRA Registered Contractor or participating retail store, visit the link below.
Funding Opportunities
Solar for Good Grant
- RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative is open for applications. Solar for Good helps mission-based nonprofits, public schools, and houses of worship in Wisconsin with grant funding to make the switch to solar energy. Applicants can choose to apply for grants up to $5,000 per project.
- Eligible applicants must be a registered mission-based nonprofit, public school, or house of worship located in Wisconsin, be in good financial standing, be able to accept donations, and own its building or be able to make necessary changes to its roof or property to accommodate solar.
- Applications are due by Monday, May 4, 2026.
- Applications must be submitted through the online application form. Emailed or mailed-in application forms will not be reviewed.
- To learn more about the Solar for Good program and to apply, visit the links below.
Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator Summer 2026
- The gener8tor Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator helps founders working on innovative water technology build lasting companies that drive economic growth and technological advancement in the Great Lakes region.
- Gener8tor’s Great Lakes Innovation offers small cohort sizes, an intense focus on growth, one-on-one introductions to hundreds of experts, mentors, corporate partners and investors, $100k in non-dilutive funding, and a concentrated and passionate focus on supporting accepted startups.
- This accelerator is made possible through the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supporting American small business innovation and regional economic growth.
- Applications for the Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator are due Sunday, May 31, 2026.
- To learn more about the Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator, visit the link below
U.S. Department of Energy Funding Announcement: Unleashing Tribal Energy Development
- The U.S. DOE’s Office of Indian Energy has announced a $50 million notice of funding opportunity aimed at fostering affordable, reliable, and secure energy solutions for Tribal Nations.
- Projects funded by this program are expected to advance Tribal sovereignty through Tribal energy development, efficiency, and use.
- There are three main topic areas:
- Topic area 1 projects are for construction and installation of Tribal community-scale energy projects to meet the needs of the community. Projects are expected to serve the electric loads and support the energy needs of Tribes at the scale of a Tribal community or communities.
- Topic area 2 projects are for predevelopment activities required to identify community-scale energy opportunities and bring projects from concept to implementation ready. Projects are expected to complete all pre-development activities necessary for the deployment of community scale energy projects.
- Topic area 3 projects are for planning, assessment, and feasibility activities to de-risk and advance development for large-scale Tribal energy projects that provide opportunities for revenue generation and economic development. Projects are expected to complete necessary pre-development activities for large scale commercial development of Tribal energy resources which lead to enhancement and strengthening of Tribal energy and economic infrastructure.
- Applications for the program are due on July 24, 2026, at 4 PM Central.
- To view a recording of the webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity and how to apply, visit the links below.
Learning Opportunities
Better Buildings: Better Business (B4) Heat Pump Accelerator Upcoming Webinars
- On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM Central, Slipstream and Xcel Energy are hosting the Heat Pump Application Considerations webinar. This webinar will overview cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) applications. It will cover various product use cases and how to identify the right product for potential customers. This training includes research-based recommendations to help contractors become heat pump experts and ensure optimal performance in the most common applications.
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM Central, Slipstream and WPPI Energy are hosting the Designing ASHPs with Sizing and Selection in Mind webinar. This webinar will cover both the “what” and the “why” for properly designing and selecting air source heat pumps (ASHPs) in Wisconsin. It will help contractors understand the importance of load calculations and how to how to derive more reliable estimates.
- To learn more about the webinars and to register, visit the links below.
Energy News and Research
SHINE Receives Conditional Commitment for $263 Million U.S. DOE Loan
- The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) issued a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $263 million to SHINE Chrysalis, LLC to support the construction of Chrysalis, a high-volume medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin.
- If approved, the financing will support the completion of Chrysalis, a first-of-a-kind medical isotope production facility, establishing the first domestic commercial supply of isotopes made with fusion and fission technology. The isotopes are used in over 40,000 medical procedures a day, including diagnosing heart disease and cancer as well as cancer therapy.
- To learn more about SHINE and the U.S. DOE Loan, visit the links below.
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