Whether you are a New Jersey-based company or institution "going green", a manufacturer of clean energy systems or products, or an innovative company developing new, green technology, New Jersey may have financing and incentive programs to help.  The following three programs are offered in conjunction with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA):

• Clean Energy Solutions Capital Investment Loan/Grant
• Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund (CEMF)
• Edison Innovation Clean Energy Fund 

Clean Energy Solutions Capital Investment Loan/Grant 

The EDA offers up to $5 million in interest-free loans and grants to ensure that commercial, industrial, and institutional entities "going green" in New Jersey.  Under this program, scoring criteria based on the project's environmental and economic development impact determines the percentage split of loan and grant awarded.  Funding can be used to purchase fixed assets, including real estate and equipment, for an end-use energy efficiency project, combined heat and power (CHP or cogen) production facility, or new state-of-the-art efficient electric generation facility, including Class I and Class II renewable Energy.  For more information on this program, click here or call 866.534.7789.

Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund

The Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund (CEMF) will be administered jointly by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with a 2009 budget of $24 million.  The fund will support the commercialization and development of Class 1 renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in New Jersey.  Eligible Technologies include:

• Class I renewable energy, such as photovoltaic, solar, wind energy, renewably fueled fuel cells, wave, tidal, renewably generated hydrogen, sustainable harvested biomass and methane gas from landfills.
• Energy efficiency equipment and technology, such as furnaces, boilers and air conditioning systems with higher efficiencies than energy codes or standards; as well as lighting systems, including LED lights and energy monitoring and control systems. 
• Other technologies or equipment that can demonstrate their integral nature to the development of Class I renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, including "balance of system" technologies that produce or support the production of renewable or clean electricity generation.   

In January 2009, CEMF was launched to support the commercialization and development of Class 1 renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in New Jersey.  Qualified manufacturing projects in New Jersey may be eligible for up to $3.3 million in grants and interest-free loans through a competitive solicitation.  To review the qualification requirements and learn more about the program, please visit www.njeda.com/CEMF.

The EDA announced that the next solicitation round for the Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund began on June 1, 2009.  The Solicitation, Intake Form, Application and Frequently Asked Questions are available at on the EDA website.  Awards were announced on December 16, 2009.

Edison Innovation Clean Energy Fund

The Edison Innovation Clean Energy Fund is a unique funding opportunity that arose from a collaboration between the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  It will provide funding in the amount of $100,000 to $500,000 to New Jersey technology companies, for demonstration projects and developmental and ancillary activities necessary to commercialize identified renewable energy technologies and innovative technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency.  This grant will fund technologies that can demonstrate their integral nature to the development of Class 1 renewable energy technologies that produce or support the production of renewable or clean electricity generation.

Applications were due on December 11, 2009.  The NJCST website can provide information on application guidelines and program eligibility.

Should you need further information on any of these programs, please contact the EDA at 866.534.7789.