• Illinois offers a number of green energy grants.illinois outline image by Kim Jones from Fotolia.com
  
  Sustainable or "green" energy development is an area of focus for many state governments in the United States. Illinois attempts to encourage the use of such technologies through grants offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Numerous grants are offered for developing and/or deploying green energy systems in residential, commercial, industrial and other applications.
  
  

Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program

• New and existing residential housing may qualify for the Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program. This program provides funds for the installation of energy-efficient appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and central air conditioning, in addition to insulation. Housing units must be intended for low- or moderate-income families. The program, in operation since 1988, determines grant amounts based on square feet of living space, number of units and type of property involved. For example, as of 2010, new single-family homes could be eligible for grants up to $4,000, whereas multiunit rehabs could be eligible for grants up to $4,500 per unit, according to the state.
  
  

Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program

• Installation of small-scale solar and wind energy systems may be funded by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) under the Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program. The program rebates the cost of solar and wind installations in residential housing up to $50,000, with a maximum of 30 percent of the installation cost. The grant is only available to customers of specific Illinois utility companies, and is subject to annual dollar limits. For example, as of February 2010, fiscal year 2010 funding had been fully utilized, according to the state's website. The state expects 2011 application information to be available on its website in July 2010.
  
  

Biogas and Biomass to Energy Grant Program

• The Biogas and Biomass to Energy Grant Program attempts to promote the use of energy sources that utilize naturally occurring materials. According to the DCEO, biogas refers to methane, manure and other animal waste products as well as municipal waste such as sewage, while biomass includes plant-based materials. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, grants under this program can be used for on-site energy generation at residential, commercial, government and agricultural sites, funding up to 50 percent of the equipment and installation of such systems. Maximum grant amounts are $225,000 for biogas systems and $500,000 for biomass. The program also performs feasibility studies up to a maximum of $2,500.