Wisconsin PSC Opens $10M Energy Innovation Grant Applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2026 Contact: Meghan Sovey-Lashua, 608-266-9600 meghan.sovey1@wisconsin.gov

PSC Accepting Applications for the 2026 Energy Innovation Grant Program

MADISON - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) announced this Earth Day that the PSC is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP). In this grant round, $10 million is available to fund innovative projects that reduce energy usage, increase clean energy technologies, bolster preparedness and resiliency, or incorporate comprehensive energy planning. "The Energy Innovation Grant Program empowers Wisconsin businesses, schools, local and Tribal governments, nonprofits, and others to undertake creative, forward-thinking projects that strengthen reliability and sustainability across the state," said PSC Chairperson Summer Strand. "From bolstering energy storage and comprehensive energy planning, to expanding renewable energy and demand response programs, EIGP provides critical funding opportunities, and I'm excited the sixth grant round of this important program is now open." The EIGP is a competitive grant program administered by the PSC that attracts substantial interest from potential recipients. In each of the previous five EIGP grant rounds, funding requests have exceeded the amount of funding available. Since 2018, the Commission has awarded $40 million to 169 EIGP projects despite receiving 533 applications requesting $165 million. This ongoing, high demand for the program demonstrates the need for additional funding. While funding is available for the 2026 grant round, the PSC anticipates this sixth round is likely the last unless additional funding is authorized. In the 2025-27 biennial budget, Gov. Evers proposed investing $20 million in the EIGP program, but it was removed by the state legislature. A broad range of entities are eligible to apply for EIGP funding including: Wisconsin manufacturers, cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal

water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, electric cooperatives, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System campuses and facilities, public or nonprofit hospitals, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. There are three categories of eligible activities under the grant program:

1. Renewable Energy and Energy Storage: This activity category is for applicant-
   owned projects seeking to install or upgrade a solar photovoltaic system (PV), a renewable energy system other than solar PV, a standalone energy storage system, or a project that will combine an energy storage system with solar PV or another renewable energy system, including a Level 3 microgrid.

2. Energy Efficiency and Demand Response: This activity category is for projects
   seeking to increase energy efficiency, process efficiency, demand response improvements, or beneficial electrification.

3. Comprehensive Energy Planning and Feasibility Studies for Microgrids: Energy
   planning efforts can include comprehensive energy planning or audits, technology transfer and market transformation planning, data collection planning and the implementation of reporting that contributes to the awareness of energy consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions, workforce training, education, and technical assistance planning, and geothermal project planning. Visit the PSC's Office of Energy Innovation website for instructions on how to apply. For more information on the 2026 Energy Innovation Grant program, interested entities are encouraged to register for a webinar hosted by the PSC on May 6, 2026. The Commission may award up to $10 million in the 2026 EIGP grant round. Applications are due by June 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ###