The informational tabs below cover current energy-related financing resources for eligible businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public entities seeking low-cost capital to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.
They include rebates, incentives, grants, loans and lease programs, and PACE programs.
Utility Rebates
With regulatory oversight and technical assistance from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) is a statewide program administered by electric and natural gas utilities that helps Minnesota households and businesses use electricity and natural gas more efficiently.
Minnesota electric and natural gas utilities offer a variety of rebates and other incentives to help their customers make energy efficiency improvements as part of CIP. Each utility tailors specific programs offered to their business customers.
Business customer rebates may include:
Contact your local electric or natural gas utility to learn more about the utility rebates available to your home or business.
Look up utility rebates that are available to your business for energy efficiency improvements. A Utility Rebate Finder is provided by Energy Smart and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Clean energy incentives and rebates.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) provides comprehensive information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Email us for general information about CIP
Business owners, nonprofits, and public entities are encouraged to take advantage of all available grants to lower first costs associated with the purchase of energy efficiency or renewable energy systems. In addition, there is energy-related research and development grants, such as the CARD grants below, that may be of interest, many of which are listed under our current Funding Opportunities database.
The Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) program awards grants through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Proposed projects must respond to a specific funding topic and meet the submittal guidelines identified in a posted RFP, as well as undergo evaluation based on explicit criteria. The purpose of CARD is to assist utilities to meet the State’s 1.5% Energy Conservation Goal by identifying new technologies or strategies to maximize energy savings, improve the effectiveness of energy conservation programs, or document the carbon dioxide reductions from energy conservation projects.
The Solar for Schools Grant Program is designed to stimulate the installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota public schools, K-12 as well as state colleges and universities, while using the opportunity to integrate renewable energy use into school curriculum.
The program links below describe loan and lease programs sponsored in full or in part by the Minnesota Department of Commerce that help agricultural, commercial, and industrial businesses and public entities invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy systems:
Energy Savings Fund for Nonprofits Program
Administered by the Center for Energy and Environment, this program offers loans up to $25,000 to 501 (c)(3) organizations or businesses leasing to nonprofits that are seeking capital to invest in energy efficiency improvements in existing properties.
This program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Energy Savings Partnership Program
Administered by the Saint Paul Port Authority, this program offers lease purchase agreement financing for local units of government and K-12 school districts. It provides access to low-cost lease purchase financing for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy systems in existing properties.
This program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Administered by the Community Reinvestment Fund, this program offers loans up to $300,000 to commercial, industrial or 501 (c)(3) organizations seeking to invest in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy improvements in existing properties.
This program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Rev It Up Loan Program
Administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, this program annually solicits request for proposals (RFP) from units of local government seeking low-cost, long-term capital to finance community energy efficiency and renewable energy system projects that are financed via energy savings and/or projected revenues created by the systems.
In addition, under this program eligible businesses and nonprofits may indirectly access capital through an eligible unit of local government.
Administered by the Saint Paul Port Authority, this program offers loans up to $1 million to commercial or industrial businesses and 501 (c)(3) organizations seeking to invest in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy improvements in existing properties.
This program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Property Assessed Clean Energy or PACE is an innovative way for businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations to obtain financing for energy efficiency or renewable energy systems affixed to existing properties through a voluntary special assessment placed onto the property tax statement. Learn more about the PACE programs currently offered in the State of Minnesota:
Minnesota Rural Energy Board (MREB) PACE Program
Administered by the Southwest Regional Development Commission on behalf of the MREB, this program offers agricultural, commercial, and industrial businesses within the 18 county MREB territory the opportunity to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy systems affixed to an eligible property through a special assessment placed on the property’s tax statement.
This program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
PACE of MN Program
Administered by the Saint Paul Port Authority, this statewide PACE program offers agricultural, commercial or industrial businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations the opportunity to finance energy efficiency or renewable energy systems affixed to an eligible property through a special assessment placed onto the property’s tax statement.