2025 Solar, Energy Efficiency, & Lighting (SEEL) Program

The 2025 SEEL program provides grant funding and technical assistance for nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to improve building efficiency and install solar energy. This program progresses the City of Bloomington’s goals to increase renewable energy sources, decrease CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption, and support local organizations across the community. 
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Eligible projects for funding under the 2025 SEEL program include two project types: energy efficiency or solar. Solar grants provide $25,000 to sponsor a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel system installation, performed by the City’s SEEL program partner, MPI Solar. Energy efficiency grants provide $10,000 to reimburse upgrades that reduce energy demand, such as energy efficient HVAC equipment or building weatherization. An application is required before beginning any project. 

Eligible Organizations

• Nonprofits: tax exempt (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6)) organizations are eligible for the program. Employee benefit associations, social welfare organizations, and business leagues are also eligible. 
• Schools: schools must be categorized as tax-exempt charitable organizations. 
• Early Childhood Centers: child care centers or early education centers must be categorized as nonprofit organizations. 
• Libraries: libraries must be categorized as tax-exempt. 
• Healthcare facilities: healthcare facilities must be categorized as nonprofit organizations.
• Grocery stores: grocery stores must be categorized as nonprofit organizations.
• Businesses: small businesses are defined as those having less than 500 full-time employees, and meet the additional qualifications below. 
• Multifamily complexes: multifamily residential units with at least two apartments that meet the criteria of a small business and additional qualifications below. 

Eligible organizations must also meet the following criteria:

• Own or rent a facility located within Bloomington city limits. Check if you are located in City limits by visiting bloomington.in.gov/mybloomington and enter the address of the building. 
  • LEASED FACILITIES: If you lease the building you are applying for, you will be required to have the facility owner/property management company complete a Building Owner Disclosure Form and Agreement. Qualification will be determined based on the owner of the facility.
• Have at least one part or full time staff member serve as the program point of contact. 
  • An authorized employee or organization member must communicate with the City throughout the grant process. Additional contacts may be included in communication.
• Organizations that have previously participated in the SEEL program must wait 12 months from receiving their last grant before applying again.
• Organizations located in a local historic district planning to alter the exterior of their building (e.g. install solar panels) must review their project with the City of Bloomington Historic Preservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss ([email protected]) and receive confirmation to proceed BEFORE applying for SEEL. Some historic districts have restrictions on facade changes and may require a Certificate of Appropriateness. If you are unsure about your organization's historic designation, search your address at bloomington.in.gov/mybloomington

Application Process

The SEEL application is a two-part process. First, submit an eligibility check form. The purpose of the first stage of the application is to review basic information about your organization to see if you meet the program requirements, described above. If you are confirmed eligible, you will be sent a link to the second part of the application. The purpose of the second stage of the application is to gather information on your facility’s energy usage, project logistics, and justification for grant funding. For more details on the grant process, please view the project-specific webpages linked below.

Solar Projects: Applications for solar projects will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funding for the 2025 program year has been allocated. The solar program will support up to 12 organizations.

Energy Efficiency Projects: Applications for energy efficiency projects will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funding for the 2025 program year has been allocated. The EE program will support up to 8 organizations.

To contact the SEEL program coordinator with questions, please email [email protected].