Clean Energy Resource Teams

CERTs 2010 Seed Grant Recipients

 
As we kick off 2010, CERTs is excited to announce the projects awarded CERTs seed grants in each of the seven Minnesota CERTs regions. These catalyzing grants of up to $10,000 will help projects garner further funding and bring communities together in identifying and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Read on for all of the details!

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application. If you want to learn more about past projects, are interested in our proposal process, or want to prepare for future funding, please see the resources lower on this page.

Jump to Region: Central | Metro | Northeast | Northwest | Southeast | Southwest | West Central

Download pdf of all locations >>

 

CERTs is not currently accepting applications

 
CERTs is not currently accepting applications for seed grants, but we encourage you to use the resources below to prepare for future funding opportunities.

The Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) provides limited financial assistance for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects requiring technical assistance. Project funding can support technical assistance services (labor costs only, such as for a consultant, design professional, installer or student labor), for projects in all seven Minnesota CERT regions. See below for more information.

 

CERTs 2009‐2010 Request for Proposals

 
The primary objectives of this funding project are to (1) Encourage the implementation of community‐based energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in CERT regions; and (2) Provide a forum for community education about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and their economic, ecological and community benefits. Funding for these projects is provided through the MN Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES).

Download the official Request for Proposals (RFP) with further details >>

 

Application Materials & Submission

 
Download Application >>
Download Project Worksheets >>
Download Sample Project Worksheets >>

Please submit all proposals electronically to RFP@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org no later than 4:30pm, November 2nd, 2009. Please insert the region where you are applying for funding where it says Your Region.

Frequently Asked Questions: We have compiled this FAQ to answer your basic questions about the RFP and seed grant application process. Click here for FAQ >>

Additional Assistance: If you have specific questions not covered in the FAQ or are interested walking through the application process more in-depth, please contact CERTs Research Assistant.

 

Project Planning

 
CERTs provides several tools to help you plan winning projects. If you are stumped on how to fill out the application worksheets, click here to download a sample set.

• New analytical project planning tools
• Community-specific project planning links
• Technology resources
• Clean energy case studies

Frequently Asked Questions: We have compiled this FAQ to answer your basic questions about the RFP and seed grant application process. Click here for FAQ >>

Additional Assistance: If you have specific questions not covered in the FAQ or are interested walking through the application process more in-depth, please contact CERTs Research Assistant.

 

Past CERTs Seed Grant Recipients

 
CERTs awards seed grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We awarded grants in 2006, 2007, and 2008. The average amount is $5,000.

Click here to see past funded projects >>

 

Introduction to CERTs Seed Grants

 

Download Introduction Presentation >>

 

RFP Grant Application Frequently Asked Questions

 
For many of the questions below it will be helpful to refer to the Request for Proposals Details document.
The Grant Application and Application Worksheets will also be referenced.

Microsoft Excel Compatibility:

In the MS Excel worksheets, I am unable to alter some of the blue boxes, specifically the box for energy source. The cell says “Natural Gas”, but I need to indicate a different energy source (e.g. electricity, propane, fuel oil). What should I do?

The Excel worksheets were created to be compatible with Excel 2007. In older versions of Excel you will be unable to trigger the drop-down menu that the worksheet indicates. If you need to use an energy source and unit apart from Natural Gas therms, please contact someone with CERTs. We can either assist with the completion of the sheet over the phone, or provide a custom sheet for your project.

 
Multiple CERTs Regions:

Our project involves working in, or will be implemented in several of the CERTs regions. Which region should I indicate on my application?

Because applications are reviewed by region, you will need to complete separate applications for each region. Applications for all regions are submitted to the same email address: RFP@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org.

 
Multiple Components:

Our project has several components to it, (e.g. a solar heating project with community education and a research aspect). Which component should I categorize my project under? Is my potential funding restricted to that component? Or what component will it be evaluated as?

If your project involves several components, you should complete worksheets for and speak to all components. Project funding will consider all components of the project, and can be used for the project in general.

 
“Other” Project:

Our project does not fit in any of the categories listed? How do I complete my application?

The categories listed on the RFP are a first-round selection of projects that 1) CERTs was able to build worksheet for, and 2) had been done in previous funding rounds. CERTs does not expect those categories to cover all projects, and no project should be considered ineligible solely because it does not fit into a category.

If your project does not fit into any of the listed categories, please contact CERTs. We will help evaluate whether the “Other” worksheet could be utilized. If your project is a technical efficiency or clean energy project, the basic worksheet under “Other” could potentially work for you. If not, CERTs will provide you with a list of information we want to know about your project, in order to gather the same level of detail as the worksheets gather on any other project.

 
Geo-Exchange Heating Projects:

Our project is a geothermal/ground source heat pump/geo-exchange installation. Should I consider it a clean energy or an efficiency project?

Because heating systems are replacing potentially a variety of energy sources, we consider it under Efficiency. Our Efficiency-Building worksheet is the recommended worksheet for geo-exchange projects.