CEBN is highlighting funding for climate solutions that are focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as community-focused initiatives.

Last week, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy released their 10th annual “Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.” CEBN dug into the data in the Factbook and pulled out the following four trends affecting small businesses. 

As a cleantech innovator or business owner, you’re balancing a lot. You’re an expert in your technology and the needs of your community, but you may not be aware of all the government programs that exist to support the clean energy economy.  To figure out where you can best plug in, CEBN is providing overviews of programs across the federal government. Allow us to introduce you to six different programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Here at the Clean Energy Business Network, we are all about the ‘network.’ Our collective strength as an organization relies on the individual contributions of our members. With each new project you build, each time you sign onto a policy letter, each new connection you forge, you are building a cleaner, healthier, more resilient, and more affordable energy future for all Americans. As we look back on 2021, we wish to express our gratitude for your contributions to our community of changemakers.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have created a new, cross-cutting funding opportunity to support community partnerships. The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize will provide a total of $2.5 million in funding to up to 10 teams to advance ideas for a just and equitable transition. Learn more and get a head start on applying.

The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), known as “America’s Seed Fund,” provides nondilutive grants to small businesses to help them develop and commercialize technology innovations. The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced topics for the next round of grants. Learn more and get a head start on applying.

In November, 2021, Clean Energy Business Network celebrates its one-year anniversary as a Power Connector for the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Challenges program—a series of prize competitions to lower the barriers U.S.-based innovators face in reaching manufacturing scale and accelerate the development of new clean energy technologies.

At the end of September 2021, CEBN welcomed two new Associates to the staff to provide support on policy research and advocacy, events, communications, and business assistance to entrepreneurs. Allie Judge and Annabelle Swift bring a wealth of relevant experience to the table in previous roles in government, nonprofits, and business support organizations.

More than 750 clean energy business leaders have signed on to CEBN’s letter to Congress applauding passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and calling for further action on clean energy. This campaign has attracted support from clean energy business leaders representing 539 firms and across all 50 states. The letter demonstrates strong backing from clean energy business leaders across the country, and it has received coverage from Politico’s Morning Energy and the Washington Post.

A recent webinar hosted by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Clean Energy Business Network explored strategies to strengthen diversity and inclusivity in the clean energy economy. In addition, the webinar discussed a case study with respect to the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Solar Prize, a $4.6M prize competition to help innovators rapidly develop new solar technology and software solutions.

The American-Made Solar Prize is back! The latest iteration of this competition, Round 5, is offering solar innovators $4.6 million in total cash prizes. Learn more about this prize and view resources to help you compete to win.

The CEBN delivered a letter last week to Senate leadership and the “Gang of 22” urging support for a bipartisan infrastructure package that includes the Energy Infrastructure Act. Over 420 clean energy business leaders and individuals have signed onto to an updated version of the letter, which calls on Congress to advance this legislation and other energy policies. CEBN’s parent organization, BCSE, also sent a coalition letter on this important legislation.