Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP)

Grant and Loan Information for Louisiana Applicants

USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.
Originally established in Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill, the program was re-authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill under Section 9007.

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  Who is eligible to apply for REAP funding?

The program supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses. An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products that obtains at least 50 percent or greater of their gross income from their agriculture business. A small business is entity considered a small business in accordance with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) small business size standards (using NAICS codes). SBA standards can be found at http://www.sba.gov/size/index.html. If a farm operation does not meet the program definition of an agricultural producer, it may apply as a rural small business, provided that it meets the applicable SBA standard.

  • A private entity including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and a cooperative (including a cooperative qualified under section 501 (c) (12) of the Internal Revenue Code.)

An electrical utility, including a Tribal or governmental electric utility that provides service to rural consumers on a cost-of-service basis without support from public funds or subsidy form the Government authority establishing the district, provided such utilities meet SBA's definition of small business. These entities must operate independent of direct government control. With the exception of the entities described above, non-profit organizations and public entities are excluded.




  Determining Rural Areas

 To determine if a small business is located in a rural area, go to the Rural Business Service property  eligibility web site at http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu&NavKey=property@13




  Renewable Energy Simplified Grant Application  Guidelines (< $200K)

  Renewable Energy Simplified Application Template

 RD Instructions for Preparing Technical Reports (Appendix A, RD Instruction 4280-B):

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Technical Report Worksheets

Other RD Instruction

  • Construction
  • Feasibility Study not required for projects of $200,000 or less




  Renewable Energy Full Grant Application Guidelines (> $200K)

Renewable Energy Full Application Template

RD Instructions for Preparing Technical Reports (Appendix B, RD Instruction 4280-B):

Other RD Instruction:




  Energy Efficiency Grant Simplified Application Guidelines (< $200,000)

  Energy Efficiency Simplified Application Template

RD Instructions for Preparing Technical Reports (Appendix A, RD Instruction 4280-B):

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Technical Report Worksheets:

Other RD Instruction:

  • Construction
  • Feasibility Study not required for projects of $200,000 or less




  Energy Efficiency Grant Full Application Guidelines (> $200,000)

  Energy Efficiency Full Application Template

RD Instructions for Preparing Technical Reports (Appendix B, RD Instruction 4280-B):

Other RD Instruction:




  Guaranteed Loan Application Guidelines
  Note: Use the Guaranteed Loan templates when applying for a loan ONLY



"Small" Guaranteed Loan Application Template (< $600,000)

"Large" Guaranteed Loan Application Template (>$600,000)




  Combination Guaranteed Loan and Grant Application Guidelines




"Small" Combination Application Template (< $600,000)

"Large" Combination Application Template (> $600,000)




  Grant Application Forms

  SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance

  SF 424C Budget Information - Construction Programs

SF 424D Assurances - Construction Programs

RD 1940-20 Request for Environmental Information

Environmental Requirements Information

AD 1047 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters - Primary Covered Transactions

AD 1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tiered Covered Transactions

AD 1049 Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements

Exhibit A-1 of 1940-Q Certification for Contracts, Grants and Loans

SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

RD 400-1 Equal Opportunity Agreement

RD 400-4 Assurance Agreement

Certification Regarding Known Relationship or Association with an Agency Employee

Certification Applicant Meets Definition of Demonstrated Financial Need




  Construction Forms

  RD 1924-5 Invitation to Bid (Construction Contract)

  RD 1924-6 Construction Contract (Simple Contract Method)

RD 400-6 Compliance Statement

RD 1924-7 Contract Change Order

RD 1924-9 Certificate of Contractor's Release

RD 1924-10 Release by Claimants

RD 1924-18 Partial Payment Estimate







For More Information Contact:

Kevin Boone
Renewable Energy Coordinator
USDA Rural Development
Whitney National Bank Building
905 Jefferson Street, Suite 320
Lafayette, Louisiana  70501-7913
Telephone:  (337) 262-6601, ext. 133
kevin.boone@la.usda.gov