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Commerce Department

New Solar on Public Buildings Grant funding round

Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program

Notice of Grant Availability

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals for the Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for the newest round of funding which opened April 27, 2026

In 2023 the Minnesota Legislature established the Solar on Public Buildings (SPB) Grant Program (Minn. Stat. § 216C.377). The purpose of this program is to provide grants to stimulate the installation of solar energy systems on public buildings. The Department of Commerce will administer $4.3M in grants to local governments in Xcel Energy electric service territory. This is the third round of funding requests.

Eligible applicants for this grant program are local units of government including a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, or other local government jurisdiction, excluding a school districts eligible to receive financial assistance under section 216C.375; or a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota. (Minn. Stat. § 216C.377, subd. 1).

Commerce RFP website

Grants will be awarded for up to 70% of the project costs (dependent on the government’s financial capacity) for a solar array that is built on or adjacent to a public building and is the lesser of 40kW system capacity or 120% of the building’s annual energy consumption.

Grants will be awarded for up to 70% of the project costs (dependent on the government’s financial capacity) for a solar array that is built on or adjacent to a public building and is the lesser of 40kWac system capacity or 120% of the building’s annual energy consumption.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of June 30, 2026.

For questions about the program and application process, email [email protected]. All questions will be answered in the Solar on Public Buildings FAQ and updated weekly, available on the Solar on Public Buildings webpage.

Sun

Solar on Public Buildings Webinar 

You are invited to join a webinar on Tuesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about Minnesota’s Solar on Public Buildings Program and how your community can apply.

Register

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