We are not accepting proposals at this time.

WPPI Energy solicits competitive proposals for grants to help fund the completion of net zero energy homes within our member electric utilities' service areas. WPPI Energy has dubbed this initiative GreenMax Home and will use this term as a synonym for net zero energy home throughout this RFP.

A GreenMax Home is a home that has the potential to produce as much energy as it uses in a year. To the greatest extent possible, the energy consumption (heating, cooling and electrical) of the home is provided by renewable energy sources.

Grants are awarded to cover part of the incremental cost of designing and completing a GreenMax Home over the cost of constructing or remodeling a conventional Upper Midwest house. Incremental costs include the design elements and technologies directly related to reducing energy use or producing energy through renewable resources. Since homeowners will see direct benefits from living in a GreenMax Home, they are expected to pay a portion of the incremental cost to make the home reach net zero.

The home designs and occupant lifestyles required to achieve net zero energy use must be replicable and appropriate for a mass market, community-based setting.

General Eligibility and Requirements

Proposed homes must be built in a WPPI Energy member utility service area. A list of WPPI Energy member utilities can be found at the end of this document.

Proposals are accepted from prospective homeowners, builders, architects and school groups. However, "spec homes" are not eligible due to the need to evaluate the expected occupants' interest before a grant is awarded.

Homes may have an electrical battery back-up system, but are required to be connected to the local electric distribution system.

Successful grant applicants and their consultant must work with a WPPI Energy consultant/quality control expert to ensure proper installation of selected technologies and use of building techniques. The WPPI Energy consultant is provided at no cost to the applicants. The WPPI Energy consultant inspects the home during and after construction and verifies that the home meets specifications as stated in the applicant's proposal.

It is strongly preferred that construction be completed by a licensed contractor. Any work not completed by a licensed contractor must be inspected and certified by the WPPI Energy consultant as meeting the quality of craftsmanship that would be required from a licensed contractor.

The homeowners must allow monitoring of the home's energy use and production for one year after moving in.

Applicants are encouraged to seek additional funding from local, state and federal sources. WPPI Energy grants are awarded toward the incremental cost of building a GreenMax Home after all other funding sources are considered.

Applicants do not need to submit building plans and/or an electronic building file (i.e. REM/Rate™ file) with their proposal. However, these items are requested for proposals that make the final round of consideration and are required before a proposal is approved for funding.