Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings

This program does not apply to homeowners. The Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings provides grants exclusively to local government units, state government agencies, and institutional entities for solar installation projects on public buildings.

This program does not directly involve contractors. Eligible applicants are local government units that may procure and install solar energy systems with grant funding covering up to 70% of costs. Contractors should work with public entity clients to help them understand that systems are limited to the smaller of 40 kW or 120% of the building's annual average electric consumption, and that public entities must apply directly to the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings, established under Minnesota Statute 216C.377 (H.F. 2310, May 2023) and administered by the Department of Commerce, awards grants covering up to 70% of solar procurement and installation costs for eligible public buildings. The program is funded with a $14.31 million budget allocation and targets local government units and institutional entities; grant amounts are determined by the Commissioner's assessment of each applicant's financial capacity. Systems are capped at the smaller of 40 kW capacity or 120% of annual building electric consumption, and the Department must verify all project costs are necessary and reasonable.