Solar for All
Statement About EPA Federal Contracts
The Minnesota Department of Commerce received notification that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to terminate all Solar for All (SFA) grants, including Minnesota’s $62 million award.
Minnesota considers this action unjustified and unlawful. The federal government's attempt to cancel contracts and go back on these agreements puts Minnesota's energy economy and environment at major risk. We are working with our Attorney General's office on next steps to challenge this action and protect our communities.
Over the next five years, Minnesota Solar for All is expected to boost electric generation at a critical time— when electric demand is rising and the state is working hard to add low cost, clean energy. Even more, these solar projects, based on initial estimates, would save over 11,000 of Minnesota’s most vulnerable households 20% or more on their annual electric bill, vital savings for households already burdened by unprecedented price volatility.
For additional information, please email news.commerce@state.mn.us.
Minnesota Solar for All is a $62.45 million program to support residential-serving solar that benefit eligible households. The initiative, led by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, is funded through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of $7 billion in Solar for All grants issued nationwide.
Minnesota Solar for All is a portfolio of financial assistance programs and supporting investments focused on making solar energy more accessible for Minnesotans. Commerce and its partners will begin rolling out Solar for All programs later in 2025.
Solar Financial Assistance
Commerce and its partners will deploy $46.85 million in financial assistance for residential-serving solar projects across the state. This will include rooftop solar for single-family homes, but also other types of projects. For example, funds will support multifamily building owners to install solar that directly benefit all of a building’s residents. Solar for All-supported projects must provide net financial benefits to each participating household. Eligible households will include those making less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or who live in designated communities. The financial assistance will vary by project type and will be spread across multiple programs. More information will be provided about each program as it becomes available.
Community-Owned Community Solar Gardens
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Commerce and the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) will provide low-cost financing for the construction of eligible community solar gardens of up to 5 megawatts (MW).
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Participating community solar projects must be owned by eligible community-based entities (including municipalities, electric cooperatives, and tribes) and primarily serve eligible households.
Solar for Tribes
- Participating tribes will receive funds to support residential solar deployment in their communities.
- Each participating tribe will determine its own program design and implementation approach.
Solar for Multifamily Housing
- Commerce and the Minnesota Housing Financing Authority (MHFA) will establish a forgivable deferred solar loan program dedicated to multifamily housing properties.
- The financial benefits of each solar project must flow primarily to the residents of the participating properties.
Solar for Single-Family Homes
- The program will blend multiple financial assistance tools to make rooftop solar systems affordable and accessible for eligible households in single-family homes.
- A portion of the funds will be dedicated to solar projects that meet the unique needs of single-family manufactured homes.
Helping Solar Thrive in Minnesota
Beyond direct financial assistance for solar projects that will make solar accessible to more Minnesotans, Commerce and its partners will invest $15.6 million to help grow Minnesota’s solar economy in ways that further bring down solar adoption barriers and that help lower the costs for solar development in general.
Workforce Development
- Minnesota Solar for All aims to expand opportunities for Minnesotans who want to work in the solar industry. Dedicated funding will support workforce training and certification opportunities including funds for transportation or childcare for trainees.
- Commerce will partner with existing registered apprenticeship programs that have a track record of recruiting and training candidates into career opportunities.
Technical Assistance for Project Development
- Commerce has carved out dedicated funds to support communities with solar deployment planning, interconnection design, engineering review work, and tax guidance to help advance eligible projects.
- The program will also support efforts to reduce solar soft costs around project siting and permitting. Commerce is already standing up a new SolarApp+ program and anticipates expanding upon this existing work.
Community Engagement through Energy Navigators
- Minnesota is creating an Energy Navigators program to train and support front-line personnel who can connect households and communities with energy programs.
- The Energy Navigators program will build upon the critical on-the-ground work that many are already doing across Minnesota to make energy-related services more accessible. Existing trust relationships are essential for community engagement, and the Energy Navigators program will support key groups who have built these connections with additional resources.
If you have questions, please contact MNSolarForAll.comm@state.mn.us