Minnesota Solar for Schools Program Application Open

The next round of Solar for Schools Grant Program is open for public schools, K-12 as well as state colleges and universities, located outside of Xcel Energy Electricity territory.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources requests proposals from qualified schools for grants up to $114,000 to use towards the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic systems up to 40kW(ac) in size.

Step 1: Notice of Intent: School Readiness Assessment (completed by the school)
Application Due: Tuesday, September 05, 2023
School Readiness Eligibility Notification: Monday, October 2, 2023

Step 2: Full Grant Application (completed by the developer or electric utility)
Application Open: Upon Notification
Application Due: Friday, December 29, 2023

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will have detailed information as well as required forms and reference materials. It will be available for download on the Department’s RFP website through the deadline of Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Readiness Assessments must be submitted through the Department’s grant interface website no later than Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The link to the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s online grant interface is provided at the in the Request for Proposals / Grant Application section on the Department’s Solar for Schools program webpage.  Late proposals will not be considered. Instructions for submitting proposals are detailed in the RFP.

Created by the State Legislature (Minn. Stat. 216C.375) in 2021, the Solar for Schools program is designed to provide grants to stimulate the installation of solar energy systems while using the opportunity to integrate renewable energy use into the school’s curriculum.

Note: Edits were made to Minn. Stat. 216C.375 during the 2023 legislative session impacting areas such as eligibility and system size. The Department will seek stakeholder input on administrative procedures and relevant program edits through Winter of 2023, incorporating changes into the 2024 program year.

More information can be found on the Solar for Schools webpage.