Website: [energy.nh.gov/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-fund](https://www.energy.nh.gov/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-fund) ### Introduction The NH Clean Energy Fund is not a standalone company but rather a collection of programs and initiatives under the purview of the [[New Hampshire]] Department of Energy and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (NHCDFA). One of its key components, the Renewable Energy Fund (REF), was established in 2007 as part of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) [[Legislation|legislation]] under RSA 362:F. The REF is designed to support renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives across the state. The NHCDFA’s Clean Energy Fund complements this by providing financial and technical resources to municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire, these programs operate under state government oversight, and specific employee counts are not publicly disclosed as they are integrated into broader departmental structures. As government programs, the NH Clean Energy Fund and REF are not public or private entities with stock listings but are funded through state budgets, utility surcharges (via the REF), and [[Federal|federal]] grants. Their mission is to reduce energy costs, promote clean energy adoption, and address New Hampshire’s energy challenges in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner while supporting equitable access to clean energy benefits. These initiatives aim to strengthen the state’s economy, protect public health, and conserve natural resources, aligning with broader state goals for sustainability and energy independence ([energy.nh.gov](https://www.energy.nh.gov), [resources.nhcdfa.org](https://resources.nhcdfa.org)). ### Key Products and Technology The NH Clean Energy Fund and related programs do not develop proprietary technologies but instead provide funding and support for a variety of clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Below are the primary focus areas: - **Renewable Energy Fund Grants and Rebates (Financial Incentive Program)** - **Type**: Grant and rebate programs for renewable energy installations. - **Technical Specifications**: Supports projects like solar PV, wind, and biomass systems; specific outputs vary by project (e.g., kW or MW scale for solar arrays). - **Energy Source**: Solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable sources. - **Key Differentiators**: Provides direct financial incentives to offset installation costs, reducing barriers for small businesses, municipalities, and residents. - **Development Stage**: Fully operational, with annual grant cycles. - **Target Customers**: Residents, municipalities, school districts, and small businesses in New Hampshire. - **NHCDFA Clean Energy Fund Financing (Low-Interest Loan Program)** - **Type**: Financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. - **Technical Specifications**: Supports upgrades like insulation, HVAC systems, and renewable installations; project scale varies widely. - **Energy Source**: Focus on efficiency (reducing fossil fuel use) and renewables. - **Key Differentiators**: Offers low-interest loans for cash-flow-positive projects, enabling long-term cost control for organizations. - **Development Stage**: Fully operational, with ongoing application cycles. - **Target Customers**: Municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses in New Hampshire. These programs are not technology developers but enablers of adoption, focusing on reducing financial barriers to clean energy implementation ([energy.nh.gov](https://www.energy.nh.gov), [resources.nhcdfa.org](https://resources.nhcdfa.org)). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As government programs, the NH Clean Energy Fund and REF are not subject to regulatory licensing like private energy companies (e.g., NRC oversight for nuclear projects). Instead, they operate under state legislative mandates, primarily RSA 362:F for the REF, and are governed by policies set by the New Hampshire Department of Energy and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Key regulatory milestones include the establishment of the REF in 2007 and periodic updates to RPS targets, which dictate the funding levels for renewable energy initiatives. Recent budgetary decisions, such as the 2025 state budget transferring significant REF funds to the general fund through 2027, represent a regulatory shift that impacts program scope. There are no specific licensing timelines or commercial deployment schedules, as these programs are already operational. However, their effectiveness is contingent on state funding allocations and legislative support, which are subject to biennial budget cycles ([nhpr.org](https://www.nhpr.org), [newhampshirebulletin.com](https://newhampshirebulletin.com)). ### Team and Leadership As government programs, leadership for the NH Clean Energy Fund and REF falls under the New Hampshire Department of Energy and NHCDFA. Specific executives tied solely to these programs are not individually highlighted in public records, but key oversight roles include: - **Jared Chicoine, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Energy**: Oversees energy policy, including the REF, with a focus on implementing state energy strategies. Prior experience includes roles in public administration and policy. - **Ignatius Kapalczynski, Executive Director of NHCDFA**: Leads the Community Development Finance Authority, including the Clean Energy Fund, with expertise in community development financing and economic initiatives. Specific social media handles for these individuals are not verified or publicly tied to their roles in these programs, so they are omitted. Leadership information is sourced from agency websites ([energy.nh.gov](https://www.energy.nh.gov), [nhcdfa.org](https://nhcdfa.org)). ### Funding and Financial Position The NH Clean Energy Fund and REF are funded through a combination of state budgets, utility customer surcharges (via the Alternative Compliance Payment mechanism for REF), and federal grants. The REF historically generates millions annually through these surcharges, though exact figures vary year to year. However, recent state budget decisions have significantly impacted funding: - In July 2025, the state budget redirected nearly all REF money to the general fund through 2027, slashing clean energy project investment by approximately 50% from recent levels. This has reduced available grant money for municipalities and businesses ([nhpr.org](https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2025-07-09/nh-budget-renewable-energy-fund-rebates-program-residents), [newhampshirebulletin.com](https://newhampshirebulletin.com)). - The NHCDFA Clean Energy Fund offers financing, but specific total funding amounts or recent rounds are not publicly detailed beyond annual tax credit allocations (approximately $5 million in tax credits via NHCDFA programs). As government programs, there is no market cap or stock performance data. Revenue status is not applicable in a commercial sense, as these are public funding mechanisms rather than profit-driven entities. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 18, 2025 | National Expansion Announcement | New Hampshire’s clean energy program model for small towns gains federal funding to expand nationwide, as reported on social media platforms like X ([Canary Media](https://x.com/CanaryMediaInc)). | | Jul 9, 2025 | State Budget Impact on REF | New Hampshire budget transfers most REF money to general fund through 2027, cutting clean energy project funding by ~50% ([nhpr.org](https://www.nhpr.org)). | | Jul 9, 2025 | Budget Cuts Reported | Additional coverage confirms reduced grant availability for municipalities and businesses due to budget reallocation ([newhampshirebulletin.com](https://newhampshirebulletin.com)). | | Jan, 2025 | Ongoing REF Grant Notifications | Department of Energy continues to offer sign-up for grant program updates despite funding cuts ([energy.nh.gov](https://www.energy.nh.gov)). | | Jan, 2025 | NHCDFA Program Continuation | Clean Energy Fund financing remains available for energy efficiency and renewable projects amid REF challenges ([resources.nhcdfa.org](https://resources.nhcdfa.org)). | Note: Due to limited specific event dates in 2025 beyond major budget news, some entries reflect ongoing program status. Information is current as of available web sources. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Utilities (Eversource, Liberty Utilities, Unitil, NH Electric Cooperative)**: The REF and Clean Energy Fund work with state utilities to deliver energy efficiency programs and rebates under the NHSaves initiative, providing strategic value by leveraging utility infrastructure for program implementation ([energy.nh.gov](https://www.energy.nh.gov)). - **Municipalities and Nonprofits**: NHCDFA partners with local governments and organizations to fund projects, offering technical assistance and financing to reduce energy costs and promote sustainability. This enhances community-level clean energy adoption. - **Clean Energy NH**: As an advocacy group, Clean Energy NH collaborates with state programs to support policies and educate stakeholders, strengthening the ecosystem for clean energy in the state ([cleanenergynh.org](https://www.cleanenergynh.org)). ### New Hampshire Relevance The NH Clean Energy Fund and REF are inherently tied to New Hampshire, as they are state-specific programs designed to serve Granite State residents, businesses, and municipalities. Their relevance is direct and multifaceted: - **Proximity to Infrastructure**: Programs support projects across the state, including areas near [[Seabrook Station]] (NH’s nuclear power plant) and the ISO-NE grid, facilitating integration with existing energy systems. - **Technology Readiness**: As funding mechanisms, they are already operational and support a range of mature technologies (solar, efficiency upgrades) suitable for immediate deployment. - **Legislative Alignment**: Directly tied to state initiatives like the RPS law (RSA 362:F), though recent budget cuts (2025) challenge alignment with clean energy goals. - **Applications**: Funds grid-connected renewable projects, energy efficiency for data centers or industrial facilities, and community solar initiatives. - **Existing Connections**: Programs are administered by state agencies and have deep ties to NH communities, with a focus on local impact. These programs are critical to NH’s energy transition but face funding constraints that may limit their scope in the near term ([nhpr.org](https://www.nhpr.org)). ### Competitive Position As government programs, the NH Clean Energy Fund and REF do not have direct competitors in the traditional sense but can be compared to similar state-level initiatives: - **[[Massachusetts Clean Energy Center]] (MassCEC)**: Offers grants and investments for clean energy, with a larger budget and broader scope (e.g., workforce training, innovation). NH programs are more constrained by recent budget cuts, limiting scale. - **Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC)**: Focuses on efficiency and renewable programs with a regional approach. NH’s programs are more localized, which can be an advantage for tailored impact but a drawback for resource depth. - **Maine Governor’s Energy Office Programs**: Similar focus on rebates and financing, with strong offshore wind emphasis. NH lacks a comparable flagship renewable focus post-budget cuts. Unique risks include funding instability due to legislative decisions, while an advantage is direct state integration for streamlined local impact. ### Closing Note The NH Clean Energy Fund and REF are established state programs at a critical juncture, facing significant funding challenges but retaining potential for impactful clean energy support in New Hampshire. (Note: No specific RSS feed for press releases or news related to the NH Clean Energy Fund or REF was found on the official websites of the NH Department of Energy or NHCDFA. General news updates may be available through agency announcements, but a dedicated feed is not listed.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*