SEEL Solar and Battery Grants

Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) grants provide funding and technical assistance to local businesses, nonprofits, or community organizations to install solar panels and battery energy storage systems. 

Review the core program requirements on the main SEEL grant web page in addition to the project-specific guidance on this page.

SEEL Solar Grant Benefits

• $25,000 Solar Grant - All installations are performed by the program partner solar contractor, Solar Energy Solutions. When an applicant is approved, the solar contractor will assess the site, create a project proposal, and supply a contract to the grant recipient. The City of Bloomington sponsors the contract cost up to $25,000.
• $20,000 Battery Grant - Only for nonprofits providing essential services related to food, housing, health, and other social support. All installations are performed by the program partner solar contractor, Solar Energy Solutions. The City of Bloomington sponsors the contract cost up to $20,000.
• Combined Solar and Battery Grant - Only for nonprofits providing essential services related to food, housing, health, and other social support. 

Eligible projects

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panel system installation or addition - minimum system size of 8kW
  • System size is scaled to the grant amount, unless the grant recipient voluntarily seeks additional solar capacity. Project costs beyond the grant amount are the responsibility of the recipient.
  • Oversized systems that are projected to send electricity back to the grid will not be awarded a grant (except in cases where the applicant is funding additional solar capacity out of pocket, or a battery is also installed to capture the excess generation). This is likely at facilities with energy consumption below 10,000 kWh per year.
• Battery systems offered by the program partner Solar Energy Solutions will be sized to the best available capacity not to exceed the grant amount, unless the grant recipient voluntarily seeks additional storage capacity. Battery grants are reserved for nonprofits that may need a backup power supply for essential social services related to food, health, housing, and other services.
• Buildings in a historic district must contact the City of Bloomington Historic Preservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss ([email protected]) to review any proposed changes to the exterior of the building before pursuing a grant.

Application and Program Process 

1. Submit the eligibility check form using the SEEL online application system in CiviForm. Log in with your Access Indiana account or create a new account.
2. For organizations that lease their facility: the eligibility check form will ask you to provide contact information for the property owner so that the City can request their signature on a Building Owner Disclosure and Agreement Form.
3. Eligible applicants will receive a link to complete the second and final application stage. The SEEL program coordinator will reach out to discuss your application.
4. Accepted applicants will be connected with the contractor program partner, Solar Energy Solutions (SES), to schedule the site assessment visit.
5. SES will produce a project proposal and the City will review it for alignment with grant funding goals. Then, SES will send you an installation contract for you to sign.
6. SES will proceed with the project installation and utility interconnection arrangements.
7. SES will invoice the City for the cost of the installation. If you opt in for an installation larger than the grant size, you will be responsible for paying the additional cost. 

What to expect during the solar installation process with Solar Energy Solutions

1. Information gathering and site visit: After the City sends your approved application information to Solar Energy Solutions, SES will contact you for a site visit and gather details about your building. They will evaluate annual energy usage from the utility bill provided in the SEEL application and review satellite imagery of your building. During the site visit, SES will need access to the roof and the attic or internal roof structure, electrical equipment, internet equipment, and utility connections to the building. In some situations, SES may request building plans if they are available.
2. Proposal development and contract: SES uses design tools to evaluate sun exposure, shading, roof orientation, and local utility rate information to develop a proposal. The SEEL grant will be reflected on the proposal as a discount. SES will send a digital proposal and contract to sign.
3. Engineering and design: Once the contract is signed, the engineering team at SES will design the detailed system layout. They may request structural information or documents about your building. 
4. Permitting and procurement: SES will prepare documentation for your solar installation county permit, seek clearance from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and a utility interconnection agreement with Duke Energy. SES will schedule your install to hold your place in their queue.
5. Installation and inspection: The SES project manager will confirm your installation date a few weeks before it occurs. After installation, SES will inspect the system and notify Duke Energy to schedule the electric meter replacement.

Additional Financial Incentives

In addition to grants provided through the SEEL program, participants are encouraged to take advantage of readily available financial opportunities such as:

• electric utility credits
• state property tax exemptions
• low interest loans

Review the commercial rebates and financing web page for more information. These opportunities are optional and are the responsibility of the applicant to pursue, though the City will provide guidance where possible. 

The SEEL Grant program offers a small solar array installation at no cost to the grant recipient. Grantees should consider the long-term costs of owning a solar system: solar panel removal and re-installation during a roof replacement, possible property value increase. All products offered by Solar Energy Solutions through the SEEL program have long-term warranties, including minimum 25-year warranties for power production on the modules. SES guarantees workmanship through a 1 year warranty for commercial installs.