Solar Energy | Clean Energy Resource Teams

Understand the Basics

building blocks of solar

Simple Steps to Solar

How to get started with solar energy and a brief introduction to some of the terms and concepts you may encounter. Guides available in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.

Start your solar journey

solar app screenshot

Assess a Site for Solar Suitability

Wondering if a particular site in Minnesota is good for solar energy? The MN Solar App can help. It uses a combination of Lidar and GIS technology to provide solar suitability for the entire state.

Assess your site

Solar pv panel

Questions to Ask Solar Installers

We compiled questions to help you begin the conversation with a solar installer before starting a project.

Evaluate solar installers

Smart Shopping Tips for Solar (Dept of Energy)

Looking for a Solar Installer?

Find installers who work in Minnesota in this directory.
Note CERTs has not vetted these businesses, we only verify that they work in Minnesota after they submit their information.

Find an installer

Paying for Solar

Start with the Pay for Your Project tool to explore programs that support solar projects in Minnesota.

Check out the lab's Tracking the Sun report for annual solar pricing and design trends in the U.S.

Residential

Resources to pay for residential solar projects in MN

Inflation Reduction Act rebates and tax credits

Minnesota Power’s Low Income Solar Program

Businesses, farms, and nonprofits

Resources to pay for commercial and nonprofit solar projects in MN

Inflation Reduction Act tax credits

Elective/Direct Pay

USDA REAP Grant

Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans - PACE

Public sector

Resources to pay for public sector solar projects in MN

Direct Pay and Transferabilty

Model RFP for Third-Party Solar

Solar for Schools Grant Program

Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program

Additional Solar Access for Residents

Adding storage to your project

Community Solar Gardens

Utility Renewable Programs

Solar for Businesses, Farms, and Nonprofits

Renewable Energy for Greater Minnesota

Clean Energy for Food Shelves

Lease your land for solar

Agrivoltaics 101

Solar for Public Sector

Public Solar Procurement

Solar for Schools

Solar on Public Buildings

Community Planning Resources

MN Solar Guide

Murray County solar siting community engagement

Grow Solar Toolkit

SolSmart

CERTs sun

Read about solar projects and ideas from across Minnesota

Stories about Solar