Clean Energy Small Businesses Rejoice in DOE Investments

DOE clean energy

The U.S. Government wants your energy-efficient and “green” small business to succeed. And to prove it, they earmarked $18 million to fund 107 small companies that specialize in advanced clean energy technology.

Stimulating Green Energy for a Greener Economy

The funds are part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help stimulate economic growth. These funds are only a first-round of funding. By summer of 2010, an additional $60 million in grant money will be available for new small energy technology companies.

The grants are good news to small business. Grant amounts up to $150,000 were given the 107 companies who were competitively chosen from a pool of 950 small business applicants. The main criteria for the companies chosen were job creation and near-term commercialization of new technology.

Looking to the Green Future

What types of energy efficiency is the government interested in? The companies chosen were from a wide arena of industries, including solar and water technologies, power plant technologies, such as efficient gas turbines and cooling, advanced sensors and controls for heating and appliances, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

The largest amount of grant money, over $3.7 million, went toward 25 projects for industrial technology development. These small businesses develop and improve upon manufacturing technologies that are not only more energy efficient, but sensitive to the environment.

Also working toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, $2.2 million was granted to small businesses that specialize in improving air conditioning and refrigeration. These small businesses are leaders in cooling designs that help reduce peak demand, relieve thermal loads on roofs, and improve efficiency while reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Good News for Small Businesses

It is clear that the U.S. government supports small business and believes in their innovative and cost-efficient processes. Small businesses are the drivers for new technology and not only create the most new jobs for Americans, but also are the leaders in advocating a cleaner environment.

Although $18 million may not seem like much compared to the billions doled out for the major corporation bailouts, this money will help ensure that small business are able to continue competing in the clean energy industry.

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