Businesses Project Planning Resources
This page starts out by showing you the most recent content from across the CERTs website. Jump to detailed resources.
Clean energy isn’t just for demonstration projects—harnessing clean energy technologies can create another source of income for your business. And energy savings can also save you money.
Businesses Blog Posts
Joel Haskard
Wed, 05/15/2013 - 11:55am
I had a chance to chat with WoodMaster co-founder and President Chuck Gagner about their biomass boilers and furnaces, and the industry here in Minnesota. Read on to hear what he had to say!
Joel Haskard: How do you see the health of the biomass...
MN Dept. of Commerce
Fri, 05/10/2013 - 11:47am
Short-term green energy training model shows great promise: A short-term green energy training program in northeastern Minnesota generated full-time, living wage jobs for seven grateful participants. But the program’s impact can be measured not only...
Kristi Loobeek
Wed, 05/08/2013 - 3:31pm
Spring time is a good look on Minnesota, wouldn’t you say? And summer is a even better one! With some of our hottest days ahead of us, consider joining Minnesota Valley Electric Company’s (MVEC) energy-saving campaign: “Beat the...
Businesses Case Studies
The City of White Bear Lake has a robust, independently owned restaurant community – one that attracts guests from around the metro area.
Restaurants use more energy per square foot than any other commercial business. However, saving energy is possible, as Trish Appleby has demonstrated in her restaurant Donatelli’s Homemade Italian in White Bear Lake, MN.
Since 2000, the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) has been serving low income communities in Central Minnesota by developing, manufacturing, and installing solar hot water and air heaters to help families reduce their heating fuel dependence and lower their energy bills.
Upcoming Businesses Events
in Eagan
8:30am to 12:30pm
Businesses Event Highlights
Funding & Financing Opportunities
There are various opportunities for funding and financing any clean energy project. CERTs offers a list of funding opportunities currently available in the fields of energy and the environment. Start exploring now! Learn more
Looking for technology resources?
If you’re looking to learn more about a specific technology, like energy efficiency, solar, or wind, we have what you’re looking for. Our technology resources include everything from basic introductions and frequently asked questions to CERTs case studies to recent reports and organizations that can help you go deeper. Learn more
CERTs Supported Projects
CERTs awards mini-grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We awarded grants in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The average amount is $5,000. We have descriptions and maps of all of the projects that we’ve funded. Check them out to see what folks are doing! See projects
Detailed Resources for Businesses
Lodging Resources
Lodging businesses have unique challenges and opportunities in energy efficiency. CERTs recognizes how lodging businesses are well-positioned to make meaningful gains by saving energy.
Consult our utility project planning resources for more information about utility-offered programs.
Energy Smart
Energy Smart is an energy efficiency business assistance initiative developed by Minnesota Waste Wise, an affiliate program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The Energy Smart program connects
businesses to existing Conservation Improvement Programs (CIPs) offered by the state’s energy utilities, as well as other energy efficiency tools and resources offered to the Minnesota business community. Energy Smart directs businesses to the information they need to make informed choices about their facilities’ energy use and efficiency upgrade options, highlighting potential cost savings or available financial incentives.
Clean Energy Projects You Can Do Now! – CERTs
Tips for Greening Your organization – Clean Air–Cool Planet
Simple steps your business can take to reduce its climate footprint.
ENERGY STAR for Small Business
Provides unbiased information and technical support to help you improve your company’s financial performance by reducing energy waste and energy costs, while at the same time protecting the environment.
National Small Business Association ENERGY STAR Challenge
NSBA is challenging—in partnership with the voluntary ENERGY STAR Small Business program, which is providing technical support—the 150,000 small businesses it reaches to reduce their energy consumption by 10 percent or more through improved energy efficiency. Find out how your business can get involved.
Center for Small Business and the Environment
CSBE believes that profitable, efficient, and innovative small businesses can lead the way to a new economy that protects and restores the environment while it produces abundant growth and employment. They operate through a network of like-minded environmental and small business leaders to promote green small businesses.
Alliance for Sustainability} – The Natural Step Framework
AFS is a Twin Cities-based nonprofit that promotes The Natural Step Framework, a creative approach for addressing environmental challenges—that businesses across Minnesota and the US have adopted—based on consensus and systems thinking. Its purpose is to develop and share a common framework comprised of easily understood, scientifically-based principles that can serve as a compass to guide society toward a just and sustainable future.
Clean Energy Resource Teams