The following programs are administered by the City of Charlotte, but made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Each program is designed to reach out directly into our communities to benefit citizens and business owners, as well as promote responsible use of energy and resource management.  

For more information on any of the below programs, contact the Community & Commerce Division at 704-336-2061. 

CPCC BPI Training - CLASS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI)is the premier certification and accrediting organization and a leader in developing national standards for residential energy efficiency retrofitting. BPI brings together building science experts to develop national energy efficiency retrofitting standards based on professional consensus. Many organizations, including the City of Charlotte, have required contractors to have BPI certification to insure work complies with nationwide technical standards.

Central Piedmont Community College and the City of Charlotte have partnered to provide BPI training to enhance the skill set of contractors in the Charlotte region. The City of Charlotte will reimburse 75% of the tuition fee for participants who successfully complete the combined Building Analyst and Envelope Professional class and included BPI certification exam. The standard tuition for this combined class is $2,595 and a reduced rate of $1,850 has been established. Successful participants will receive this combined class including exam and BPI certification for only $462.50.

Pre-registration is REQUIRED by MONDAY May 7th, 2012. Click to fill out the pre-registration form. Registration is limited to 20 applicants.

Class Description- Program includes both BA and EP classes:

• Building Analyst (BA) – Learn to perform comprehensive, whole-home energy assessments, identify problems at the root cause and prescribe and prioritize solutions based on building science.
• Envelope Professional (EP) – Learn to quantify performance and prescribe improvements to help tighten the building envelope (shell), stop uncontrolled air leakage and optimize comfort, durability and HVAC performance.

• Monday, May 14 – All Day Classroom Instruction Tuesday
• Tuesday, May 15 – All Day Classroom Instruction Wednesday
• Wednesday, May 16 – All Day in Field for ½ of students (other ½ students do not attend class)
• Thursday, May 17 – All Day in Field for ½ of students (other ½ students do not attend class)
• Friday, May 18 – All Day Classroom Instruction - Building Analyst (BA) Review & Exam
• Saturday, May 19 – All Day Classroom Instruction Envelope Professional (EP) Review & Exam

• While no formal experience is required, basic construction knowledge and math skills are recommended.
• Class is limited to the first 20 students who meet the eligibility criteria; participation is on a first come first serve basis.
• Applicants must currently live within the City limits of Charlotte or be currently employed by a company with a physical location within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
• Applicants or their employers are required to pay the tuition rate in full, upon successful completion of the class AND receipt of a passing grade on the certification exam, students will be reimbursed $1,387.50 (75% of reduced tuition cost).
• Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Click to fill out the pre-registration form. (Once pre-registration is accepted, students will receive instructions for registering through CPCC’s website)

• Create jobs & expand employment opportunities.
• Increase energy efficiency of existing structures by 15% or greater.
• Expand housing options by improving the energy efficiency of existing apartment communities.
• Promote sustainable behaviors.

Through the CB Retrofit Program, matching grant funds will be awarded to selected applicants for the purpose of funding onsite energy efficiency strategies and improvements. The maximum grant award shall be dependent on the number of projects selected and funds available at the time of proposal acceptance. Funds shall be distributed as reimbursement only; funds will not be distributed in advance of improvements.


Neighborhood Energy Challenge - Power2 Live Green Grant

The Neighborhood Energy Challenge (NEC) - Power2 Live Green Grant encourages neighborhoods to implement practical strategies for reducing energy use and costs; which saves money and our environment. Neighborhood based organizations, including neighborhood associations, homeowner associations and business associations that are located within the city limits of Charlotte and have been organized and active for at least three (3) months are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 for any or a combination of the following projects:    

• Alternative Transportation Challenge - Encourage neighbors to walk, bike or use public transit instead of driving.  Publicize your event, track the results and award great prizes for participation. 
  
  
• Home Energy Audits - Work with a local company to fund energy audits for homes within your community.  Audits identify areas where air is leaking and costing you money.  An audit provides a plan for future energy efficient repairs. 
  
  
• Energy Efficient Product Distribution - Save money while making your home more comfortable.  Distribute energy efficiency products (weatherization kits, programmable thermostats, etc) within your community.  Teach neighbors how to install these products or partner with a local company for help with installation.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Incentive/Rebate Program - Provide incentives or partial refunds to neighbors who take the initiative to install improvements that reduce energy use in their homes.  Examples may include duct or air sealing, insulation, window or door replacement, moisture barriers, etc.
  
  
• Energy Efficient Lighting Program – Purchase energy efficient exterior lighting for your community to brighten the streets and increase security while keeping costs low. 
  
  
• Energy Star Appliance Upgrade Program - Provide incentives or partial refunds to neighbors who upgrade appliances to Energy Star certified models. 

The application deadline was February 15th, 2012.

NEC Power2 Live Green Program Guidelines

For more information, contact Nicole Storey at 704-336-2929 or nrstorey@charlottenc.gov.

Congratulations to our 2012 Power2 Live Green Grant recipients!

• Revolution Park Neighborhood Home Improvement Project
• Graham Heights Neighborhood Association
• Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association
• Enderly Park Neighborhood Association
• Park Crossing Owners Association
• Northwood Estates Community Organization
• Queens Towers HOA
• Oaklawn Park Improvement Organization
• Commonwealth Morningside Neighborhood Association
• Washington Heights Community Assoc. Inc
• Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization

Neighborhood Energy Challenge

The Neighborhood Energy Challenge encourages neighborhood-level involvement in planning and implementing energy solutions.  Seven neighborhoods received grants to implement their energy action plan.  Plan components include home audits, public transit incentives, bicycle education programs/bike rack installations, solar lighting replacements, and conservation workshops.  Funding will be used to create baseline energy data and energy action plans at the neighborhood level.  Baseline data will be initially used for the selected neighborhoods, with the intention to make it available city-wide in the future through the Quality of Life Study so that all neighborhoods can use it to reduce their energy consumption.

Neighborhood Energy Challenge Presentation  |   Guidelines

Check out the seven winning neighborhoods and their energy plans.
Avenue Condos, EcoDistrict (Villa Heights, Belmont, Optimist Park), Merry Oaks, NoDa, Plaza Midwood, Spring Park and Wilmore.


Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant 2010

This program was made available to commercial buildings and apartments located in the City's Business Corridor Revitalization Geography.  The grant focuses on lowering the energy consumption of existing buildings by reimbursing a percentage of energy-efficiency retrofits including but not limited to energy audits, lighting, HVAC, energy efficient doors and windows, recycling programs, bicycle storage and much more.  
 Total ARRA funding for the grant program was $1.2 Million and all funds have been allocated to eligible projects.  

Check out the 13 selected projects and their energy improvements.


Apartment Retrofit Grant

This grant was designed to improve the energy efficiency of existing apartment complexes and multi-family housing units within the City's Business Corridor Revitalization Geography.  Eligible expenses include HVAC, energy efficient doors and windows, recycling programs, bicycle storage and much more.  The City will reimburse a percentage of the cost of eligible retrofits once work is complete.  The deadline to apply for consideration in the program was October 31st.  

Total ARRA funding for the grant program was $600,000, and all funds have been allocated to eligible apartment complexes.

Apartment Grant Fact Sheet