The Minnesota Department of Commerce is launching the Solar on Public Buildings (SPB) grant program this year.
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 through at least two funding rounds.
Eligible applicants for this grant program are local units of government (LUGs) including a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, or other local government jurisdiction, excluding a school district eligible to receive financial assistance under section 216C.375; or a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota. (Minn. Stat. § 216C.377, subd. 1).
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.
Informational Session:
A public webinar providing details about the Solar on Public Buildings program will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 10-11am.
Questions:
For questions about the program and application process, email Energy.Contracts@state.mn.us. All questions will be answered in the Solar on Public Buildings FAQ and updated weekly, available on the Solar on Public Buildings webpage.