2024 CERTs Seed Grants awarded to 45 community-based clean energy projects

Akiing 8th Fire: Solar Thermal Outreach and Education

Ponsford, Minn. — With solar thermal informational videos and community-based events in Tribal nations across Minnesota, Akiing 8th Fire aims to promote clean energy education, community engagement, and accessibility, while fostering partnerships and breaking down barriers to a sustainable energy future. ($10,000, Commerce)

City of Detroit Lakes: Detroit Lakes Library Lighting Upgrade

Detroit Lakes, Minn. — This GreenStep City is working toward its goal to become more energy efficient by upgrading the library lighting to LEDs. ($8,000, Commerce)

Community Grassroots Solutions: Clean Energy Community Empowerment

St. Cloud, Minn. — Community Grassroots Solutions will bring together clean energy experts and Somali heritage communities in the St. Cloud area to address barriers in access to energy efficiency education. ($10,000, Morgan)

Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association: Gap Funding to Pursue Federal Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

Central MN — MTERA will provide resources directly to Tribes to fund necessary aspects of clean energy project development and implementation, such as funding grant writers or hiring contractors for specific aspects of projects outside of their or MTERA’s expertise. ($10,000, Commerce)

Slipstream Group, Inc: Manufactured Home Building Basics Training

Central MN — This project will develop a curriculum to provide contractors and weatherization staff with a foundation of knowledge on manufactured home structures, heating systems, ductwork, and building science principles. ($5,000, Commerce)

City of Robbinsdale: Eliminating Barriers for Energy Burdened Neighborhoods

Robbinsdale, MN — In order to lower energy costs and increase energy efficiency for their most vulnerable community members, the City of Robbinsdale will pair volunteer outreach with Home Energy Squad audits and installation of energy efficient materials. ($5,000, Commerce)

Dream of Wild Health: Farm Agrivoltaic System

Hugo, Minn. — Dream of Wild Health will work with Solar Bear — an Indigenous-owned solar company — on a ground-mounted agrivoltaic solar installation to power their new greenhouse and community gathering facility. The installation will serve as a demonstration and educational project for the wide variety of farm visitors. ($7,000, Commerce/Morgan)

Frogtown Green: FREE: Frogtown Residents (are) Energy Experts!

Saint Paul, Minn. — Frogtown residents will have better access to energy savings information from a neighborhood newsletter promoting clean energy opportunities, “FrogLab” educational workshops for kids, and energy activities at Frogtown Green's annual “Climate Carnival.” ($7,000, Commerce)

Hastings Environmental Protectors: Hastings Home Energy Audit

Hastings, Minn. — This project will help Hastings residents understand home energy use and energy efficient upgrades by offering home energy audits and information on clean energy incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act. ($5,000, Commerce)

MN Interfaith Power and Light: Expanding the Base of IRA Ambassadors

Minneapolis, Minn. — MN Interfaith Power and Light will increase access to clean energy resources and information among residents of the Phillips and Ventura Village neighborhoods supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions, build individual and local wealth, and uplift community health and well-being. ($7,000, Commerce/Morgan)

Northside Residents Redevelopment Council Financial LLC: Northside Clean Energy Outreach

Minneapolis, Minn. — In order to lower energy costs, equip households with heat pumps, and encourage clean energy job opportunities, NRRC will help Near North and Willard-Hay residents benefit from the clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. ($5,000, Commerce)

Vessyll LLC: Northside Solar + Storage Project

Minneapolis, Minn. — A solar and energy storage system will be installed in a four-unit residential building in the Hawthorne neighborhood. After installation, the system will be monitored to show how a project like this could be replicated in other communities. ($7,000, Commerce)

Arrowhead Cooperative: Grand Portage Community Backup Power Feasibility Study

Grand Portage, Minn. — The project will assess technology options and develop a plan to meaningfully improve the reliability of electric service for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. ($10,000, Commerce)

Food Farm: In-depth Energy Analysis for Organic Farms

Wrenshall, Minn. — A comprehensive energy analysis will evaluate the farm’s current energy use, determine the amount of power generated from solar arrays, identify key drivers of energy use, and develop a model to become more efficient. Food Farm will create a template to share with a community of small farms and businesses so they can easily replicate the project. ($5,000, Commerce)

Just Housing: EmPOWERment - Introducing Green Building

Duluth, Minn. — Just Housing will provide ready-to-use content and resources to educators and students in the Arrowhead region about clean energy, energy efficiency and conservation, resource-efficient design and construction, and career opportunities in green building and clean energy. ($10,000, Commerce)

Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association: Gap Funding to Pursue Federal Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

Northeast MN — MTERA will provide resources directly to Tribes to fund necessary aspects of clean energy project development and implementation, such as funding grant writers or hiring contractors for specific aspects of projects outside of their or MTERA’s expertise. ($8,000, Morgan)

MN Interfaith Power and Light: Northland Heat Pump Helpers

Duluth, Minn. — In order to expand heat pump adoption in Duluth, this project will assist homeowners with the home evaluation process, establish a community of “heat pump helpers,” and create a series of success stories. ($5,000, Commerce)

Slipstream Group, Inc: Manufactured Home Building Basics Training

Northeast MN — This project will develop a curriculum to provide contractors and weatherization staff with a foundation of knowledge on manufactured home structures, heating systems, ductwork, and building science principles. ($5,000, Commerce)

Aaron's Grocery: Energy Efficiency Cooling Equipment

Fertile, Minn. — Aaron’s Grocery is one of the few places in the area where people can purchase fresh produce, meats, and cheeses. Installation of coolers with doors will reduce energy use, provide additional space for perishable food, and extend product shelf life. ($5,000, Commerce)

Care and Share of Crookston: Energy Efficient Utilities Upgrade

Crookston, Minn. — Investing in homeless shelter upgrades can increase capacity to serve more unsheltered people within communities. This project will use insulation to increase the shelter’s energy efficiency and will use air quality assessments and appliance safety checks to improve the safety of the space. ($10,000, Commerce)

City of Halstad: Wimmer Home HVAC Efficiency Pilot

Halstad, Minn. — Wimmer Homes were originally built in the 1960s for low-income, elderly people to preserve independence. An HVAC pilot project in the shared laundry unit will add a high-efficiency cold climate mini split with storage heat. ($3,000, Commerce)

Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association: Gap Funding to Pursue Federal Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

Northwest MN — MTERA will provide resources directly to Tribes to fund necessary aspects of clean energy project development and implementation, such as funding grant writers or hiring contractors for specific aspects of projects outside of their or MTERA’s expertise. ($5,000, Morgan)

Thief River Falls Food Shelf: Going Green, Going Clean

Thief River Falls, Minn. — Energy efficiency upgrades to this “Super Shelf” food shelf will include LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, and additional insulation. The project will save the food shelf energy and offer education opportunities on going green for visitors. ($10,000, Commerce/Morgan)

West Central Initiative: What Fuels You? Ways That Make ‘Cents’ Video Series

Northwest MN — The video series will educate and inspire viewers by featuring Minnesotans using clean energy resources within their homes, businesses, and communities. ($10,000, Commerce)

City of Faribault: Energy Assessment Tool Library

Faribault, Minn. — The City of Faribault will compile a tool and resource library for residents to use to conduct small-scale energy efficiency assessments and to calculate potential savings. The project aims to increase public awareness around energy efficiency and participation in incentive programs, as well as reduce energy consumption and costs. ($3,000, Commerce)

Growing Up Healthy: Weatherization for Mobile Home Residents

Rice County, Minn. — Growing Up Healthy will assist residents who may not be eligible for weatherization programs with home repairs to improve energy efficiency and save money. ($10,000, Commerce)

LifeGate Services: Clean Energy for African Immigrant Communities

Rochester and Austin, Minn. — LifeGate will create energy educational materials to distribute within the African immigrant communities in Rochester and Austin. ($10,000, Commerce/Morgan)

Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association: Gap Funding to Pursue Historic Amount of Federal Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

Southeast MN — MTERA will provide resources directly to Tribes to fund necessary aspects of clean energy project development and implementation, such as funding grant writers or hiring contractors for specific aspects of projects outside of their or MTERA’s expertise. ($5,020, Commerce)

Project FINE: Energy Efficiency Outreach

Winona, St. Charles, Lewiston, Altura, Minnesota City, and Goodview, Minn. — Project FINE will provide information to refugees and immigrants about ways to improve the energy efficiency in their homes and learn about the benefits of clean energy. ($9,980, Commerce)

Slipstream Group, Inc: Manufactured Home Building Basics Training

Southeast MN — This project will develop a curriculum to provide contractors and weatherization staff with a foundation of knowledge on manufactured home structures, heating systems, ductwork, and building science principles. ($5,000, Commerce)

City of Comfrey: Comfrey Lighting Upgrade

Comfrey, Minn. — LED lighting upgrade in the Comfrey Municipal Building, which houses the Fire Hall, Police Department, Community Center, and City Clerk’s Office. ($5,500, Commerce)

City of Slayton: City Library and Senior Center LED Retrofit

Slayton, Minn. — Retrofit all of the interior and exterior lighting to LED fixtures with a longer life and no ballast maintenance. ($2,500, Commerce)

Murray County 4-H: Lighting Upgrade for Murray County 4-H Building

Slayton, Minn. — LED lighting upgrade to save on energy expenses and offer more educational opportunities in quiet learning spaces. ($5,000, Commerce)

Slipstream Group, Inc.: Manufactured Home Building Basics Training

Southwest MN — This project will develop a curriculum to provide contractors and weatherization staff with a foundation of knowledge on manufactured home structures, heating systems, ductwork, and building science principles. ($5,000, Commerce)

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership: Air Source Heat Pump Feasibility Assessments

Southwest MN — Feasibility assessments and estimated costs associated with the conversion of heating and water heating systems to heat pumps in three of 66 multifamily residential properties. ($8,000, Commerce)

United Community Action Partnership: Home Education and Energy Saving Program

Southwest MN — Staff will provide energy-saving ideas, install low-cost energy saving products (LED bulbs, pipe wrap, etc.), update appliances with energy-efficient ones available through local utility providers, as well as perform energy audits. ($9,000, Commerce/Morgan)

West Central Initiative: What Fuels You? Ways That Make ‘Cents’ Video Series

Southwest MN — The video series will educate and inspire viewers by featuring Minnesotans using clean energy resources within their homes, businesses, and communities. ($8,000, Commerce)

City of Morris: Exploring Opportunities for Heat Pump Electrification

Morris, Minn. — Exploring the feasibility, adoption, and performance of heat pumps within cold climate zones, this project will improve understanding of pathways for decarbonizing thermal loads in municipal and residential buildings. ($5,000, Commerce)

City of St. Cloud: Public Outreach on Green Hydrogen Production at St. Cloud Recovery Facility

St. Cloud, Minn. — Translate project materials into Spanish and Somali to inform more communities of the benefits of Green Hydrogen. ($5,000, Commerce)

City of Willmar Parks and Recreation: Willmar Civic Center Scoreboard Lighting Upgrade

Willmar, Minn. — Remove gas-powered equipment from the sports fields and install LED light scoreboards to reduce energy costs and eliminate localized pollution fumes and noise. ($3,500, Commerce)

Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf: Food Shelf Energy Saving Initiative

Granite Falls, Minn. — Neighbors United will make energy efficiency upgrades in order to free up funds to better serve the community, decrease the carbon footprint of the building, and create a more inviting, inclusive, and accessible environment for shoppers. ($2,800, Commerce)

River of Life Lutheran Church: Friends Building Lighting Upgrade

St. Peter, Minn. — LED lighting upgrade to the Friends Building, which hosts the St. Peter Food Shelf, Children's Weekend Food Program, St. Peter Community Free Clinic, and Mankato Rehabilitation Center Inc. ($3,400, Commerce)

Slipstream Group, Inc: Manufactured Home Building Basics Training

West Central MN — This project will develop a curriculum to provide contractors and weatherization staff with a foundation of knowledge on manufactured home structures, heating systems, ductwork, and building science principles. ($5,000, Commerce)

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership: Air Source Heat Pump Feasibility Assessments

West Central MN — Feasibility assessments and estimated costs associated with the conversion of heating and water heating systems to heat pumps in three of 66 multifamily residential properties. ($8,300, Commerce/Morgan)

United Community Action Partnership: Home Education and Energy Saving Program

West Central MN — Staff will provide energy-saving ideas, install low-cost energy saving products (LED bulbs, pipe wrap, etc.), update appliances with energy-efficient ones available through local utility providers, as well as perform energy audits. ($10,000, Commerce)