Project and Technical Assistance

The Minnesota Department of Commerce provides and supports a number of programs to assist public entities with the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

These programs provide various levels of technical assistance for project development, financing, implementation and performance evaluation. Review the programs outlined below to determine which program best addresses your needs.

Technical Assistance Programs
Webinars
Project Resources

Technical Assistance Programs

Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP)

The Guaranteed Energy Savings Program is a procurement and financing mechanism that assists state agencies, local units of government, school districts and institutions of higher education with the development, implementation and ongoing measurement & verification of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects. Participants gain access to technical assistance from Commerce, pre-qualified Energy Services Companies, Master Contract, selection and procurement documents, and GESP staff oversight for each phase of the project that can last up to 25 years. The intent of the program is to maximize job creation and operational cost savings through investment in public facilities.

Local Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP)

The Local Energy Efficiency Program helps local units of government and school districts identify, study, implement, and finance energy efficiency and recommissioning projects. LEEP makes it easy to identify site-specific goals, find high-quality firms to perform an investment grade audit, and gain access to low-interest lease-purchase financing. Participants gain access to Commerce’s technical assistance through each stage of the process, ensuring a comprehensive, cost-effective, quality project.

Minnesota GreenStep Cities

Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based on 29 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2, or 3-star level, from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.
Webinars & Media

Solar for State Agencies Webinar 1, Solar Considerations for State-Owned property: Policies and Technologies

Organized and hosted by: Minnesota Departments of Administration and Commerce

Date: December 1, 2016

The first of a three part series, Solar for State Agencies. 38 minutes. An overview of solar-related policies for state agencies and solar technology options that work in Minnesota. Participants will learn the best applications and limitations of each system type, the hierarchy of energy improvement projects, and the role of Solar Renewable Energy Credits within your agency’s sustainability planning. Technical assistance available to state agencies for developing solar projects and other means of solar procurement are outlined.

The webinar series is a prerequisite for receiving technical assistance for developing an agency owned solar project. Webinars 2 and 3 to be developed in winter 2017.
Project Resources

Clean Energy Resource Team (CERTs)

The Clean Energy Resource Teams—or CERTs—is a statewide partnership with a shared mission to connect individuals and their communities to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects. CERTs empowers communities and their members to adopt energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies and practices for their homes, businesses, and local institutions.

Clean Energy Project Builder

The Clean Energy Project Builder connects you with companies that can help you plan, implement, and manage clean energy projects. The online directory features companies that provide products and services for all kinds of solar energy projects and wind energy projects big and small. Find companies today or add yours to the directory. You can also explore installed projects and community solar gardens.

Wind Maps

Minnesota wind maps were developed by the Department by WindLogics using atmospheric modeling. The maps show the wind speed resources at 30, 80, and 100 meters, as well as capacity factor and energy production estimates for a 1.65 MW wind turbine at 80 meters.

Solar Suitability App

A Minnesota Solar Suitability App developed by the University of Minnesota with support from the Department of Commerce can help identify the solar potential for homes, businesses, and public buildings in Minnesota. The free tool uses Lidar data and GIS technology.