Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program
Online application will open on February 17, 2026.
The Rhode Island Commerce Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program is a statewide effort to assist small businesses reduce their energy costs by implementing measures that improve energy efficiency. This program will reimburse small businesses up to $20,000 for energy efficiency measures implemented as the result of an energy efficiency audit.
Why It Matters
Energy efficiency means using less electricity to perform the same tasks—reducing your utility bills while supporting a cleaner energy future. By investing in efficiency, small businesses can:
- Lower monthly energy expenses
- Improve comfort and performance in their workspaces
- Contribute to Rhode Island’s clean energy goals
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels as demand grows
Program Eligibility Requirements:
- Businesses with less than $2 million in annual gross revenues may qualify for up to 80% of costs covered
- Business between $2 million and $5 million in annual gross revenues may qualify for up to 70% of costs covered
Eligible Projects or Purchases include:
- LED lighting upgrades and controls
- Cooler/refrigeration controls
- Programmable WiFi thermostats
- Boiler and hot water controls
- Air sealing and building insulation
- Variable frequency drives
- Water saving devices
- Roof top unit controls
- Pumps and efficient motors
- Custom equipment and controls
- Electric panel upgrades
- Removal knob-and-tube wiring
- Improvements to ventilation:
- Purchasing and installing a higher-grade filter within an existing air handling unit
- Central HVAC installation, repair, or balancing
- HVAC UVGI system installation
- Adding a portable fan filter unit (PFFU)
- Adding an indoor air purifier
- HRV system installation, repair or balancing
Note: Solar panels are not eligible for reimbursement. If you are interested in solar panel installations, please visit https://commerceri.com/renewable-energy-fund/ for more information.
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Energy assessments must be performed in 2026 and can be done by any of the approved entities below:
- Rhode Island Energy’s Small Business Program delivered by RISE Engineering: complete this form or call 877-784-3709 to schedule a no cost audit
- Block Island Power Company
- The Clear River Electric and Water District
- Licensed and Registered Contractors *
- To verify registered and licensed contractors (commercial roofers, home inspectors, underground utility, water filtration, well drilling, pump installers, etc.), visit https://crb.ri.gov/
- To verify licensed trades professionals (alarm business and agents, electricians, hoisting engineers, mechanical, and plumbers/irrigators, etc.), visit https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation
*Only energy assessments/audits conducted by a Rhode Island registered and licensed professional will be accepted for the RI Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program.
This effort is a partnership between Rhode Island Commerce, Rhode Island Energy, RISE Engineering and the Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4).