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You are here: Home / Energy / Solar Financing & Support

Solar Financing & Support

Solar Financing & Support

With utility rates on the rise in Eastern Kentucky, solar is helping many businesses, faith groups, schools, nonprofits, and local governments save money.

We are proud to now offer solar loans to help support these projects.

For eligible businesses and organizations, we can provide

  • Loans up to $500,000 at 4 percent interest fixed for up to 20 years*
  • Technical support during system design, throughout system install and beyond
  • Grant application support for eligible businesses and organizations
  • Information on tax credits, write-offs, cash flow, and impacts of any state policies on your investment

*All loans subject to approval; personal residences are not eligible

“For us, as a non profit, annually rolling $2,469 back into the organization to help us achieve our mission is huge.”

Seth Long
HOMES Inc.

Assistance Beyond Financing

In additional to low-interest loans for solar projects, we provide technical expertise to facilitate the project, including system design support, review of contractor proposals, answering any questions you may have about your investment, and more.

We also help businesses and organizations determine if they are eligible for any federal or state grants. For example, the USDA administers the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to provide financial assistance to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities, use renewable technologies that reduce energy consumption, and participate in energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. The amounts range from $2,500-$500,000 for renewable energy systems. For example, we recently worked with Print My Threads to apply for grant funding. They were awarded a REAP grant of ~$20,000 for a solar installation on their facility near Ashland, KY as well as a second grant of ~$19,500 for energy efficiency upgrades.

The USDA also has a Community Facilities grant program for energy projects at community oriented facilities, and the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy has a program for on-farm energy projects. We work with several farms each year who have successfully received funding for their energy projects through this state program.

Get Started:

The first step is to apply for an energy audit, by clicking the below link. The audit will include a solar assessment. Through that process you can discuss financing and grant opportunities with our team. If you’ve already worked with our team and are ready to apply for a loan, please click the “apply for a solar loan” button below.

Apply for an energy audit
Apply for a solar loan

Success Stories

solar kentucky grocery frenchburg kentucky market

Seeing the Light: Inspired by Peers, Kentucky Grocer Makes the Solar Switch 

Jed Weinberg knows both Eastern Kentucky and the energy world, through and through.  He grew up in Knott County, and now owns or manages four grocery stores in the towns…

Read Seeing the Light: Inspired by Peers, Kentucky Grocer Makes the Solar Switch 

DavidCraftsConstruction

Faith in Action: 57 Years of Service at St. Vincent Mission 

From what was once a coal camp’s swimming pool in Floyd County, Kentucky, Saint Vincent Mission has served Appalachians since 1968. The nonprofit got its start soon after President Lyndon…

Read Faith in Action: 57 Years of Service at St. Vincent Mission 

power outage kentucky battery backup storage

Be Prepared: How to Choose Small-Scale Emergency Backup Power 

When the power goes out—whether from a storm, grid failure, or another emergency—having a small-scale backup energy solution can keep your essential devices and appliances running. But how do you…

Read Be Prepared: How to Choose Small-Scale Emergency Backup Power 


ku lge rate hike bills kentucky

LG&E and KU’s Plans Could Cost Kentuckians More on Their Bills

Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities are anticipating a huge increase in the amount of electricity they will need to produce over the next 15 years, in large part…

Read LG&E and KU’s Plans Could Cost Kentuckians More on Their Bills

frontier housing Eastern kentucky

Rebuilding with Cost Savings in Mind

Our Energy Team put together these energy savings tips for homeowners and businesses/nonprofits who are replacing building materials or undertaking new construction.  Note: you may be eligible for tax credits…

Read Rebuilding with Cost Savings in Mind

leslie county shelter solar

Leslie County Animal Shelter finds the purr-fect solar solution to cutting costs

This story was produced by Lisa Abelar for Resource Rural in partnership with Mountain Association. Anna Carey jokes that she might like animals more than people, depending on the person. Her affinity…

Read Leslie County Animal Shelter finds the purr-fect solar solution to cutting costs

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Established in 1976. Prior to 2020, we were known as the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).

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BEREA
(859) 986-2373
433 Chestnut Street
Berea, KY 40403

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info@mtassociation.org

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HAZARD
(606) 439-0170
420 Main St
Hazard, KY 41701

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(606) 264-5910
268 E Friend St, Ste 101
Prestonsburg, KY 41653

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