Building, Training, and Assessment Centers

What does this funding get me?

$10 million in competitive grants were available to establish centers to educate and train students and building performance professionals to deploy modern building technologies to small businesses and K-12 schools. 

Near-term project goals: 

1. Train building energy efficiency professionals in energy efficient design and operation to meet local and regional workforce demand.
2. Provide critical energy efficiency assessments and upgrades to improve the environmental performance of commercial and institutional buildings, especially those in areas that have been historically underserved (including K-12 schools and small commercial buildings that are 50,000 square feet or less).
3. Train engineers, architects, building scientists, building energy permitting and enforcement officials, and building technicians in energy efficiency design and operation.
4. Promote research and development for the use of alternative energy sources and distributed generation to supply heat and power for buildings, particularly energy-intensive buildings.

Am I eligible?

BTACs will fund institutions of higher education, like community colleges and universities.

How can I access the money?

The 2023 awardees have already been announced, but stay tuned for more information about the next potential round of funding.

The one 2023 award in the Carolinas went to Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, NC. FSU, which was awarded $900,000, will work with the UNC Charlotte Industrial Assessment Center and local community colleges to develop an energy management workforce and deliver energy management services for commercial buildings. The project team at FSU, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), will implement this BTAC in partnership with the state workforce development system, community-based employment support organizations, and local schools and businesses. 

What is the timeline?

2023 awards were announced in November 2023. See above. Stay tuned for possible future funding cycles.

What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?

Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) can be used as a complementary program.

For additional training assistance, the NC Clean Energy Technology Center provides numerous training programs and online/in-person courses related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Click here for more information.

Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.

Where can I get more information?

• DOE’s BTAC website
• Contact scep@hq.doe.gov for more information.
• In addition to the resources listed above, a variety of organizations offer technical assistance that may help you access these funds. They are listed on our Get Help page.
• For questions about updates to this program, please email Jessica Finkel at info@energyfundsforall.org.