Get Up to $1.6M in
Clean Energy Funding
DOE SBIR grants for clean tech startups. Zero equity required for renewable energy, battery technology, climate solutions, solar, wind, and hydrogen innovations.
✓ $65M annual DOE funding • ✓ National lab partnerships • ✓ Non-dilutive capital
Clean Tech & Energy Grant Programs
Federal and state funding for renewable energy, battery technology, climate solutions, and environmental innovation.
Clean Energy Innovation
- Solar, wind, geothermal technologies
- Battery storage & grid integration
- Hydrogen production & fuel cells
- 6-12 months feasibility study
Full Development
- 24 months prototype development
- Testing, validation & certification
- National lab partnerships available
- Commercialization support included
Environmental Tech
- EPA SBIR environmental solutions
- State clean energy programs
- Carbon capture & climate tech
- Water treatment & air quality
Clean Technologies That Qualify
DOE and EPA grants support a wide range of clean energy and environmental innovations.
Solar Energy
Photovoltaics, CSP, agrivoltaics, solar-thermal, BIPV, perovskites, thin-film technologies
SETO active funding
Energy Storage
Lithium-ion, solid-state batteries, flow batteries, thermal storage, grid-scale systems
$65M VTO funding
Wind & Water Power
Offshore wind, floating turbines, hydropower, tidal energy, wave energy converters
WETO priority area
Hydrogen & Fuel Cells
Green hydrogen, electrolyzers, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, distribution systems
HFTO focus area
Geothermal Energy
Enhanced geothermal, district heating, direct use applications, exploration tech
GTO programs
Bioenergy
Biofuels, biomass, biogas, algae, cellulosic ethanol, renewable diesel, SAF
BETO funding
Carbon Capture
Direct air capture, CCUS, carbon utilization, sequestration, negative emissions
FECM priority
Buildings & Industry
Heat pumps, HVAC, lighting, industrial decarbonization, process efficiency
BTO & IEDO focus
What's New in Clean Energy Funding 2026-2027
Recent DOE and EPA investments for clean tech entrepreneurs
$65M Annual DOE SBIR
DOE SBIR/STTR FY 2026 Phase I Release 2 offers $65 million for clean energy innovation. Phase I up to $200K, Phase II up to $1.6M with national lab partnerships.
Solar Technology Focus
SETO funding covers dual-use PV, agrivoltaics, BIPV, floating PV, CSP Gen3, solar microgrids, cybersecurity, and manufacturing innovations for 2026 cycle.
EV Battery Innovation
VTO $65M focuses on EV battery cells, recycling efficiency, thermal runaway mitigation, modular HD batteries, firefighting tech, electrified hydraulics for 2026.
Commercialization Support
DOE offers Phase IIB commercialization funding, TABA (Technical and Business Assistance), American-Made Network connections, and follow-on support bridging to market.
Complete Clean Tech Grant Program Details
Everything you need to know about DOE SBIR, EPA environmental tech, and state clean energy programs.
Program Overview
DOE Technology Focus Areas (FY2026):
- Solar Energy: SETO - Dual-use PV, agrivoltaics, BIPV, floating solar, CSP Gen3
- Vehicle Technologies: VTO - EV batteries, recycling, thermal safety, HD electrification
- Wind/Water: WETO - Offshore wind, floating turbines, hydropower, tidal energy
- Hydrogen & Fuel Cells: HFTO - Green hydrogen, electrolyzers, fuel cells, storage
Clean Tech Success Stories
Solar Innovation - Perovskite
$200K Phase I → developed tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells with 30%+ efficiency → Phase II $1.6M for manufacturing scale-up → partnered with national lab → pilot production facility → Series A $25M.
Battery Storage Breakthrough
$200K Phase I → validated solid-state battery technology → $1.6M Phase II development → grid-scale demo with utility partner → $50M strategic investment from automotive OEM → commercial deployment 2026.
Application Strategy & Requirements
Eligibility
- • US small business <500 employees
- • 51%+ owned by US citizens/residents
- • At least 2/3 R&D performed in US
- • Clean energy technology focus
Application Process
- • Identify DOE office & subtopic
- • Technical innovation description
- • Energy impact assessment
- • Commercialization strategy
Success Factors
- • Clear energy efficiency gains
- • Cost reduction pathway
- • Market size & adoption plan
- • Technical risk mitigation
Program Details
Phase II supports full technology development, prototype testing, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization. DOE provides access to national laboratories, TABA support, and American-Made Network connections. Combined Phase I + II provides ~$1.8M total non-dilutive funding.
Phase II Objectives
Development Milestones:
- Technology Development: Prototype refinement, performance validation, field testing
- Manufacturing: Production scale-up, supply chain development, cost reduction
- National Lab Support: Testing facilities, expert consultation, technology transfer
- Commercialization: Customer pilots, strategic partnerships, investor connections
EPA SBIR Environmental Tech
EPA Focus Areas:
- • Air quality monitoring & pollution control
- • Water treatment & purification technologies
- • Waste management & circular economy
- • Environmental monitoring & sensors
- • Climate adaptation & resilience
- • Green chemistry & safer materials
State Energy Programs
California Energy Innovation
EPIC program, CEC grants, CARB zero-emission tech, EV infrastructure, renewable integration, energy storage funding opportunities.
New York State Energy
NYSERDA clean energy programs, offshore wind support, building decarbonization, EV charging, clean heating & cooling grants.
Texas & Regional Programs
Texas State Energy Conservation Office, regional clean energy funds, grid modernization, renewable integration, carbon management.
Clean Tech Grant Application Success Strategies
Proven tactics to increase your chances of winning DOE and EPA clean energy funding.
Quantify Energy Impact
Provide specific energy savings (kWh, BTU), GHG reduction (tons CO2e), or efficiency gains (%). DOE reviewers prioritize measurable energy/environmental impact with clear baseline comparisons.
Show Cost Reduction Pathway
Demonstrate path to cost competitiveness with incumbent technologies. Include levelized cost analysis (LCOE for energy), manufacturing scale-up projections, and market adoption timeline.
Leverage National Lab Partnerships
Propose collaboration with DOE national labs for testing, validation, or technical expertise. Shows seriousness and provides access to world-class facilities and researchers.
Align with DOE Priority Areas
Match your technology to specific DOE office priorities (SETO solar, VTO vehicles, WETO wind, etc.). Use language from funding announcements and cite relevant DOE technical targets.
Vague Environmental Claims
Making general "green" or "sustainable" statements without quantified impact. DOE requires specific energy metrics, emissions reductions, and performance benchmarks with verifiable data.
Ignoring Market Barriers
Not addressing cost, policy, or infrastructure challenges to adoption. Clean tech faces real deployment barriers - show awareness and mitigation strategies for commercialization hurdles.
Underestimating Technical Risk
Overpromising performance without acknowledging technical challenges. Be realistic about TRL progression, identify key technical risks, and explain de-risking approach.
Weak Competitive Analysis
Claiming "no competition" or ignoring incumbent solutions. Show deep understanding of competitive landscape, explain differentiation, and justify why your approach will win in market.
Ready to Apply for Clean Energy Grants?
Download our free clean tech grants guide or get personalized help from specialists experienced in DOE and EPA funding.
Free Clean Tech Guide
Comprehensive PDF with DOE SBIR templates, EPA programs, state funding, and winning strategies for renewable energy.
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