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Solar on Public Buildings Grant

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.

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.

Deadline: This is two-step process.

  • Step 1: Public Building Readiness Assessment: Public Building Readiness Assessment due on Monday, June 30, 2025.

  • Step 2: Full Grant Application open upon notification; full applications will be due Monday, November 17, 2025.

Prior to completing the Readiness Assessment, Applicants must first obtain a unique project ID number (“ID”) for each application/building. Email the Department at [email protected] to request an ID. The email must include:

  • Local unit of government’s primary point of contact

  • Primary contact title

  • Primary contact email

  • Planned installation site (e.g. county, city, town, other local government jurisdiction, Tribal government and building)

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.

For more information about the program, see the Commerce website for more details: Solar on Public Buildings / Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy (mn.gov).

 

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