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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

What to do if you got a bad install by Solar Titan

File a Complaint Against Solar Titan Many Kentuckians are reporting bad solar installations completed by the now defunct Solar Titan. There may be an opportunity to get some of your…

Read What to do if you got a bad install by Solar Titan

Rural electric coop kentucky

Utility Disconnections are Dangerous, Ineffective, and Unnecessary

This is an op-ed by a Mountain Association staff member that appeared in several Kentucky papers in April 2023. The number of Kentuckians who had their power disconnected increased by…

Read Utility Disconnections are Dangerous, Ineffective, and Unnecessary

ku lge rate hike bills kentucky

Will Cryptomining Companies Coming to Kentucky Raise Your Electric Bills? 

This is an op-ed dated April 3, 2023 that ran in several papers. A Chinese cryptomining company is proposing to build a $250 million plant near the town of Louisa…

Read Will Cryptomining Companies Coming to Kentucky Raise Your Electric Bills? 


Rural electric coop kentucky 1

Now is the Time for Kentucky’s Rural Electric Cooperatives to Move on Clean Energy

This is an op-ed that ran in several outlets in January and February 2023. Rural electric cooperatives provide power to nearly a third of Kentuckians, serving 1.5 million people in…

Read Now is the Time for Kentucky’s Rural Electric Cooperatives to Move on Clean Energy

London, KY Farm Saves Big on Energy Bills

In 2005, Ford Waterstrat took a job on a local farm while on summer break from teaching. That’s when he set his heart and mind on having his own organic…

Read London, KY Farm Saves Big on Energy Bills

salyersville iga solar kentucky 1

Salyersville IGA Adds Solar

Three years ago, Salyersville IGA moved to an expanded storefront double the size of its previous location. Along with the expansion, Magoffin County’s only full-service grocery store completed major upgrades…

Read Salyersville IGA Adds Solar

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For more than 40 years, we were known as the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).

As we enter a new decade and a new look, we have become the Mountain Association. This change underscores our commitment to a new beginning that is more inclusive and welcoming to the people and communities we serve.

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

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420 Main St
Hazard, KY 41701

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Prestonsburg, KY 41653

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