Submit Full Application
Schools deemed ready are invited to complete a Full Grant Application. At this stage, grant funds are tentatively reserved for a school’s project. Schools have roughly three months to move through the procurement process, select a developer, and complete the application. Applicants may request to forward their application (and the reserved grant funds) to the following application round if unable to meet the original deadline. Failure to submit a full application will cancel the grant reservation.
The Full Grant Application must be completed by the school’s selected solar developer. This portion of the process will require submission of project details including total cost and lifetime savings of PV system, selected developer information, installation site details, and more.
If a school meets all requirements pertaining to the full application, the grant will be approved pending contract negotiation with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Schools that enter into contract with the Department will have up to 18 months to complete the installation and commissioning of the system and to submit complete and thorough Check-In Forms as particular project milestones are met (e.g., system components, interconnection, system commissioning, promotional plan).
All questions related to the grant application during open RFP periods should be directed to energy.contracts@state.mn.us.
Need Help?
- For guidance, review and complete this Full Application Checklist [COMING SOON], this System 25Y Cashflow Example, and the Solar for Schools FAQs to ensure you’re meeting the requirements.
- For hands on help developing and distributing your solar RFP, email Peter Lindstrom at plindstr@umn.edu to request use of the CERTS Solar RFP Template and learn more about solar procurement best practices.
- For inspiration and motivation, learn about the new Solar Tax Credit schools are eligible for through the Inflation Reduction Act, learn how to Get Started, and explore Minnesota Schools and IRA presentation and resources.