Wind Energy

• Wind energy is actually a form of solar energy. Wind is caused by the sun's uneven heating of the earth's atmosphere, the different elevations of the earth's surface and the earth's rotation. Wind energy can be harnessed to produce electricity or mechanical power --- for instance, power to pump water or grind grain. This is accomplished primarily through the use of wind turbines.
  
  

Federal Databases

• A large impediment to finding applicable grants is knowing where to look. There are some excellent online databases that list current federal grants. One of these is Grants.gov. This website allows you to narrow your search to certain criteria. When searching for a wind energy grant, you would want to select those grants pertaining to "energy." Once you select a grant that may fit your need, you can check the eligibility requirements to see whether you qualify. There is also detail about the purpose of the grant, and information on how to proceed. Another similar website database is Federal Grants Wire. This site also allows you to restrict your search to energy-efficient grants, which makes it easier to locate grants for wind energy.
  
  

State Databases

• In addition to federal website databases, there are databases that provide grant information by state. A good portion of federal money allocated to projects like wind energy is actually disseminated via grants at a state, or even local, level. One of the websites that specializes in renewable energy financial resources is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. This site allows you to access a clickable map of the U.S. and select your state. You can then view renewable energy grants, loans and incentives within your state.
  
  

Writing Grants

• In applying for grants, many times you have to write your own grant proposal. There are specific requirements for this time-consuming process, and it can be overwhelming to the inexperienced writer. If this is too great a task for you to undertake, you may consider hiring a grant writing service. There are services that can help you find a grant that meets your needs and write the proposal for you. Earthlinked Wind Solutions is a grant writing service that specializes in grant proposals for wind energy.