The City of South Bend has launched the Energy Assistance and Solar Savings Initiative for its third year.

It’s an initiative to assist local nonprofits, schools, community organizations and businesses with installing solar panels and making energy efficient upgrades.

This is the first year that the program will be offered to businesses, but businesses have a tremendous opportunity to benefit from the program.

The program provides community organizations with a free energy assessment, matching grant funding up to $30,000 for projects, and resources to address gaps to finance projects.

24 organizations have been assisted in years past, leading to 9 solar projects and over 20 energy efficiency projects.

Applications for the program are due by February 26.