Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings

H.F. 2310, enacted in May 2023 (see section 216C.377), created the Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings program under the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Program allows local government units to apply for grants for up to 100% of the cost of procuring and installing a solar energy generation system on or adjacent to the school premises. The law directed a $14,310,000 budget allocation to support the program.

The Department of Commerce is directed to request applications from interested local government units and assess the applications and ensure that all costs are necessary and reasonable. The amount of the grant amount awarded must be based on the Commissioner’s assessment of financial capacity of the local government unit.

The program provides grants for systems the smaller of (a) up to 40 kW or (b) up to 120% of the building’s annual average electric consumption.