The following is a press release written by Desiree DeMolina for the City of Bloomington.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Bloomington Green Home Improvement Program (BGHIP), a rebate program that supports Bloomington homeowners who install clean energy and energy-efficiency upgrades. The City of Bloomington is offering rebates for solar panels, battery energy storage, level 2 EV chargers, heat pumps, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, energy efficient door or window replacements, and attic insulation projects. This program was created to advance the City of Bloomington’s goals to improve environmental and economic equity in Bloomington, and to reduce the community-wide consumption of fossil fuel energy sources.
Rebate amounts depend on income and project type. The general population qualifies for a rebate equal to 25% of the project cost, up to a maximum amount based on the project type. Low-income applicants are eligible for larger rebates of 40% of the project cost, up to a maximum amount. For example, a low-income household can receive up to $10,000 to install solar panels. Details on rebate amounts are available on the BGHIP website.
Residents who own and occupy their home within Bloomington city limits may submit an application, which is found on the City’s BGHIP website. Rebates are awarded to those who qualify on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advised to apply for the rebate prior to beginning work on the project to ensure funding is available. Applications require a project quote from a contractor. Projects already completed in 2026 qualify for the rebate. Rebate recipients will be reimbursed when a completed invoice is submitted to the City.
Interested applicants are encouraged to seek other financial incentives, which can be combined with the BGHIP rebate to bring down project costs. Duke Energy offers rebates through the Smart $aver program for eligible energy efficiency upgrades. The Indiana Office of Energy Development launched the Indiana Energy Saver Program to distribute HOMES and HEAR home energy efficiency rebates. Certain expenses for low income households qualify for a rebate covering 100% of the project cost through the Indiana Energy Saver Program.
In addition, The City of Bloomington has partnered with Clean Energy Credit Union and Hoosier Hills Credit Union to offer loans with a 0.5% bought-down interest rate for BGHIP rebate recipients, to help offset the cost burden of larger projects.
“The City of Bloomington is working hard to increase clean energy sources and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions in our community,” said Jolie Perry, Sustainability Program Coordinator. “Our homes and buildings are still the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions here. With BGHIP, we’re here to support residents who take steps to make their homes more energy efficient.”
For more information on the Bloomington Green Home Improvement Program, visit the program website at https://bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/bghip. For information on the City’s sustainability efforts, Climate Action Plan, and greenhouse gas emissions reports, visit our Sustainable Bloomington Website and Bloomington’s Climate Action Dashboard
