Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI)

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Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI)

The Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) provides energy assessments, grants, and low-interest loans to community organizations to complete energy efficiency and solar projects. Apply for EASSI


What is the EASSI Program

The Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) provides energy assessments, grants, and low-interest loans to community organizations to complete energy efficiency and solar projects.

In 2024, EASSI is accepting businesses AND non-profits, including organizations that have previously received an EASSI grant.

Businesses have two options for participation:

  • Apply for a solar matching grant (no on-site energy assessment), which will require submitting a quote(s) in the EASSI application, OR
  • Join the traditional EASSI program

 

ENERGY PROJECT EXAMPLES

  • Solar panel installation
  • HVAC replacement
  • EnergyStar appliance upgrades (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.) 
  • Lighting upgrades
  • Water heater upgrade
  • Air/duct sealing
  • Insulation/weatherization
  • Window replacement
     

    Grant Details

    Below is a summary of EASSI grant offerings for eligible projects. The total maximum incentive a participating organization can receive is $30,000. The total maximum incentive for any gas project(s) is $5,000. Organizations can combine grant options.

    EASSI Grant Offerings

    Options City Grant Grant
    Amount
    G1a 50% matching grant up to $20,000 for energy efficiency1 $20,000
    G1b 50% matching grant up to $5,000 for gas energy efficiency1 $5,000
    G2 30% matching grant up to $30,000 for solar $30,000
    G3a 60% matching grant up to $30,000 for electrification ready projects2 $30,000
    G3b 60% matching grant up to $30,000 for electrification3 $30,000
    G4 50% matching grant of up to $1,500 for educational displays4 $1,500
    G5 50% matching grant of up to $1,500 for engineering studies4 $1,500
    G1-5 Total Maximum Incentive $30,000

  • The City is making efforts to transform buildings to be as energy efficient as possible. In order to meet the City’s goals to address climate change the City will need to transition away from fossil fuels such as natural gas. As part of this transition, we are aligning our incentives for energy efficiency with a shift to the electrification of buildings. However, we also understand that not all applications for electrification may at this moment work for buildings in our journey to a clean energy future. Therefore, we do provide an interim incentive for gas efficiency where the total maximum incentive for any gas project(s) is $5,000. For any HVAC, water heater, boiler quotes, we will require at least one electrification quote (in good faith). For packaged HVAC units such as rooftop HVAC units that utilize gas, the total maximum grant amount is $5,000.

  • Electrification ready projects are defined as weatherization projects of insulation, windows, and doors. These projects are very crucial to create a building that is much more viable for electrification and will more likely result in an electrification project that is successful to reduce energy consumption, costs, and emissions. This incentive builds upon our approach to support the decarbonization of buildings, clean energy, and a cleaner grid, which is part of the City’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. Electrification ready projects also tend to be more expensive compared to other energy efficiency and decarbonization work.

    Electrification projects are defined as a conversion of a gas appliance to all-electric. For example, converting a gas stove, HVAC, or water heater to 100% electric. For new construction projects, we will need proof of previously budgeted and agreed upon project specifications that incorporated natural gas connections and an updated budget and project specifications that show proof of electrification (forgoing gas connection).

    Organizations can use grant dollars for educational displays and engineering studies for educational displays and/or engineering studies. To receive this incentive, participants must complete an EASSI eligible project.

    Minimum Required Total Project Cost & Minimum Grant Amount

    Please note the following minimum required total project cost and minimum grant amount:

  • The minimum required total project cost is $5,000 for new organizations and $10,000 for returning organizations.
  • The minimum grant amount is $2,500 for new organizations and returning organizations.

 

Questions? Watch our information webinar from 1/24/22 or contact Jack Rees:

Call: 574-245-6050

Email:  jrees@southbendin.gov

For more information about IFF financing contact:

Call: 317-363-0441

Email: dsink@iff.org 

Apply for EASSI


Eligibility

EASSI helps nonprofit and community institutions access solar energy and improve their energy efficiency through subsidized energy assessments, City-sponsored grants, and low-interest loans from IFF. 
 


When can I apply?

The application window for 2024 is now closed. It is our intention to continue the program in future years
 

EASSI 2024 COHORT  
February 26 Application deadline for new and returning organizations
March 11 Orientation for new organizations
Week of March 11 Energy Assessments conducted on-site
April/May Collect quotes, apply for grant and/or loans, & confirm financing for projects
June + onward EASSI midpoint meeting. Quote deadline, building efficiency improvements & follow-up visit
November 18 Grant Deadline
November/December EASSI Showcase


How does the Grant application and process work?

 

1. Apply for EASSI. Complete the online application form. (PDF of questions found in the application)

2. Meet with the City. The City, CDFI FSB, and IFF will reach out to you to discuss your intake form. They will approve, defer, or deny your organization’s submission. If approved, you sign a letter of commitment. It indicates your intention to complete an energy efficiency and/or solar project.

3. Get a free energy assessment. IFF conducts the assessment, and the City fully subsidizes it.

4. Choose efficiency projects. The City and IFF review the energy assessment with you. They provide guidance for selecting efficiency projects to pursue.

5. Select contractors. The City references some resources to help you find contractors. You make the contractor selection. The City helps you manage the project through completion and track impact.

6. Apply for loans and/or grants. If lending capital is needed, IFF finances low-interest loans. The City provides grants. Apply for both through 1 application. These funds will help cover your project costs.*

*Your organization is not obligated to seek lending. You can receive a grant without applying for a loan. The minimum loan amount IFF will finance is $5,000. Grants range from $1,500 to $30,000 per organization. For more grant details, please visit this link.

 

Application Tips

Each question will be analyzed as part of the EASSI application review process. Here is a link to the list of questions in the online application. Below are some tips when completing your application:

  • Answer each question in the application form fully and honestly
  • Provide examples and sufficient details to support your answer
  • Show a connection between your organization’s core mission with EASSI’s mission
    • For businesses, show a connection how you are meeting a need that is not being filled in your neighborhood/community
  • Organizations should demonstrate their capacity to:
    • Cooperate with The City and its partners
    • Embrace and exemplify EASSI’s mission, or commit to actions that align with EASSI’s mission

EASSI APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA

The following 5 core criteria are used to evaluate and select organizations for the EASSI: 

  • Alignment with program’s mission
  • Demonstrated need and project readiness
  • Diversity in the type of organization and its services
  • Diversity in its geographic location and the residents it serves
  • Location in an underserved/underinvested/high vulnerability area

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION CRITERIA FOR RETURNING ORGANIZATIONS

Returning organizations will submit project idea(s) and quotes. Projects will be approved based on the following criteria:

  • Project readiness
  • Alignment with EASSI’s mission
  • Potential to reduce energy consumption and emissions
  • First come first serve basis
  • Available funding


Why

The City is making efforts to transform buildings to be as energy efficient as possible. In order to meet the City’s goals to address climate change the City will need to transition away from fossil fuels such as natural gas. As part of this transition, we are aligning our incentives for energy efficiency with a shift to the electrification of buildings.