B.C.’s building-sector businesses can tap into an additional $8 million for projects to accelerate the availability and affordability of low-carbon building solutions.

The funding is available through the CleanBC Building Innovation Fund (CBBIF). Low-carbon building solutions include a wide range of energy-efficient developments in the building sector, including advanced building components and designs, new construction methods, low-carbon heating, ventilation and air conditioning (known as HVAC) systems and digital technology solutions.

The CBBIF provides funding to promote building-sector innovation in four separate streams:

• Material, component and system manufacturing ($300,000 to $1 million) – funding to support investment in manufacturing facilities to diversify and expand existing product lines or commercialize new low-carbon product lines
• Digital technology solutions ($200,000 to $500,000) – funding for low-carbon technology development for new or improved digital solutions
• Demonstration projects (up to $250,000) – funding to help offset the incremental capital or operational costs of low-carbon demonstration projects
• Open call for innovations ($250,000 to $500,000) – an open call for other types of low-carbon projects not covered by the other funding streams

This funding is part of StrongerBC, B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan, which sets out the government’s next steps to move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan outlines new investments in health care, getting people back to work, supporting businesses and helping communities.

The $8 million will support economic recovery by helping to maintain existing jobs and create new jobs as energy-efficient and low-carbon product lines and sales opportunities are developed.

The CBBIF application intake opened in mid-November and will close on Jan. 10, 2021. Applicants who submit their full applications before Dec. 15, 2020, will have the opportunity to receive feedback and revise their applications before the deadline.

Learn More:

For more information about applying to the CleanBC Building Innovation Fund, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/energy-efficiency-conservation/programs/cleanbc-building-innovation-fund

To read the initial news release about the Building Innovation Fund, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMPR0048-001812