School Opportunities
NYSERDA Flex Tech Funding for High Need School Districts – NYSERDA will provide up to a 100% cost
share for energy studies at high-needs
Priority
Districts
across New York State, including 11 Suffolk County
schools districts. NYSERDA will pay up to $500,000 towards the study (or up to
20% of the annual energy expenditure, whichever is less). These sophisticated
energy studies can help school districts become sustainable, resilient and
healthy learning environments in their community by helping them to plan,
design and upgrade to clean energy technologies to mitigate indoor air
quality from pollution and wildfires. This investment will also
protect against extreme heat by prioritizing funding for efficient cooling
systems in schools serving vulnerable populations. The state will encourage
communities that receive this funding to install cooling systems that can be
opened to the community during extreme heat events to help prevent heat-related
illness or death.
The 11
eligible school districts in Suffolk County are Amityville Union Free School
District, Bay Shore School District, Brentwood Union Free School District,
Central Islip Union Free School District, Copiague School District,
Patchogue-Medford School District, Riverhead Central School District, South
Country School District, Westhampton Beach Union Free School District, William
Floyd School District, and Wyandanch Union Free School District.
NYSERDA Funding for Onsite Energy Managers - NYSERDA
will also provide up to a 90% cost-share for Priority Districts to hire an
Energy Manager (through
PON 3701). The
agency will provide between $100,000 - $200,000 to hire an Energy Manager
depending on the district’s annual energy expenditure. The energy manager will
monitor energy usage and current operations to achieve energy savings. In
addition to energy and water efficiency projects, they will also develop a
comprehensive energy management plan to be delivered at the end of their
minimum one-year engagement.
The
11 eligible school districts in Suffolk County are Amityville Union Free School
District, Bay Shore School District, Brentwood Union Free School District,
Central Islip Union Free School District, Copiague School District,
Patchogue-Medford School District, Riverhead Central School District, South
Country School District, Westhampton Beach Union Free School District, William
Floyd School District, and Wyandanch Union Free School District.
Charge Ready NY 2.0-This program
offers incentives to public, private and not-for-profit organizations that
install Level 2 EV charging stations at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings
(MUD’s) or public facilities that are owned and operated by municipal or state
government entities. NYSERDA provides incentives on a per-port basis at varying
amounts, based on location type and whether or not is it located within a
Disadvantaged Community (DAC).
DEC
Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate Program
- The Municipal ZEV Program provides rebates to cities, towns, villages,
and counties of the State of New York to encourage and enable ZEV adoption by
municipalities for fleet use as well as install electric vehicle charging and
hydrogen fuel filling station components primarily for public use. Eligible vehicles are eligible for a
$2,500-$7,500 rebate depending on weight class. Download the
ZEV
Rebate Fact Sheet
(PDF) for an
overview of the program.
Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) - Thanks to changes to
the federal solar credits in the Inflation Reduction Act,
K-12 schools
and universities can now receive tax credits (even though they don’t pay
taxes) in the form of DIRECT FEDERAL PAYMENTS. The new Investment Tax Credit
was increased to 30% for clean energy projects and its bonus credits enables
tax-exempt entities to receive up to six bonus credits that could raise the ITC
to 70% of the eligible costs of the project’s installation.
Pre-filing registration is a required
electronic process for all entities that intend to make an elective payment
election (or those that intend to make a credit transfer). Lawyers for Good
Government have created a
Pre-Filing Resource Page.Federal solar tax credits can be rolled over
for up to two years.
NY School Bus Incentive Program
(NYSBIP)
- NYSBIP is a voucher incentive program which will
accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses and charging
infrastructures throughout New York State. Zero-emission school buses include
both electric school buses and hydrogen fuel cell school buses (collectively
referred to as ESBs). A total of $300M is available to fund the acquisition of
new ESBs and charging infrastructure, and help districts complete a Fleet
Electrification Plan.
PSEG
Electric Vehicle Make Ready Incentive Programs
- PSEG currently offers incentives for businesses to install Level 2 and
Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations.This program is
available for all commercial customers including Multi-Unit Dwellings, Retail/Offices,
Parking Facilities/Lots, and more.
Center for Green
Schools
- The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building
Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the
resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable
learning environments. They are driving the green school movement by working
directly with those implementing sustainability within school systems and
offering a wide array of initiatives that accelerate action.
Green Schools
Alliance
(GSA) - The Whole School Sustainability dashboard enables you to
benchmark, track, plan and collaborate for holistic school sustainability.
Whether you're a K-12 student, teacher,
administrator, staff member, or district sustainability professional, the Green
Schools Alliance can support and strengthen your sustainability action. Join the GSA Community to connect with other school
sustainability champions, and discover resources for driving sustainability and
regeneration at your school.
UndauntedK12 – UndauntedK12 works with partners to curate resources to help leaders
in the education space navigate this generational funding opportunity to
protect student health and learning, enhance resilience, reduce spending on
infrastructure, and decrease emissions all while addressing equity and
environmental justice.
Last updated July 9, 2025
