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 Credits for Schools - This federal incentive persists for businesses, nonprofits & municipalities to get a tax credit for 30% of the cost of their fully installed solar panel system. Expenses include materials and labor.For example, if solar panels cost $20,000 to purchase and install, the credit will lower the tax bill by $6,000.
Due to changes to the federal solar credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, municipalities and nonprofits can receive these tax credits (even though they don’t pay taxes) in the form of direct federal payments!
Projects must be started by July 4 th 2026 or placed in service by December 31st 2027 to be deemed eligible and are now subject to strict restrictions on the involvement of “foreign entities of concern” as defined by the federal government, pertaining primarily to technology and materials sourcing.
Lawyers for Good Government Elective Pay Sprint Hub - Elective Pay Sprint Hub, a rapid-response initiative designed to help schools, Tribes, nonprofits, faith organizations, and local governments navigate the complex landscape of clean energy tax credits in the wake of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA, or H.R. 1). The Elective Pay Sprint Hub will serve as a concierge service for tax exempt entities to work with L4GG and its partners to design, fund, and implement their clean energy projects. L4GG is inviting nonprofits, Tribes, faith-based groups, schools, and local governments with pending or at-risk projects to complete a simple intake form and join the Sprint Hub. The initiative will connect projects with pro bono legal support, policy expertise, and technical partners to unlock credits while they remain available.
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 January 28, 2026
