ST. PAUL — Minnesota is on track to reach two major clean-energy milestones in the next few months: The state's 400th solar-powered school is scheduled to go online, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce expects to award its 200th Solar for Schools grant.

Commerce highlighted that progress Thursday at Justice Alan Page Elementary School in Maplewood, where school officials and students showed firsthand how state investments are bringing clean-energy technology into schools and onto school buses.

The event also highlighted Commerce's electric school bus grant program, which is helping school districts put new electric buses on the road. Recently delivered buses are now transporting students during the 2026-27 school year.

Together, the Solar for Schools and electric school bus programs are helping schools manage energy costs, modernize transportation and give students opportunities to learn about clean-energy technology firsthand.

"When we invest in Minnesota schools, we're investing in more than classrooms and textbooks. We're investing in the infrastructure our communities depend on and the opportunities we want the next generation to have," said Commerce Temporary Commissioner Julia Dreier. "These programs are bringing new technology to schools across Minnesota, and we're seeing those investments become real projects that students and communities can benefit from every day."

Solar for Schools helps drive statewide clean energy growth

Minnesota is approaching a significant milestone, with its 400th solar-powered school scheduled to come online before the end of 2026. That's more than double the approximately 190 Minnesota schools that had solar installations before Commerce launched its Solar for Schools program in January 2022.

Commerce also expects to award its 200th Solar for Schools grant early next year, marking continued growth for a program that helps schools install solar energy systems, lower electricity costs and bring renewable energy into the classroom.

Since the program launched, Commerce has awarded or reserved nearly $32.6 million in grants for school solar projects. These projects represent nearly 25 megawatts of solar capacity and are expected to generate more than 29 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually — roughly enough to meet the annual electricity needs of 3,100 average Minnesota homes.

That's an estimated $46 million in electricity savings over 20 years for participating schools — money that can instead support students, classrooms and other educational priorities.

While not all of Minnesota's solar-powered schools received funding through Solar for Schools, the program has played an important role in expanding access to solar energy at schools across the state. Minnesota ranks No. 7 nationally for its number of solar-powered schools, according to the most recent Brighter Future study.

The benefits extend beyond electricity savings. Participating schools incorporate solar energy into their educational programming, creating opportunities for students to explore how electricity is generated and see renewable energy technology at work in their own schools.

"These are exciting milestones that are definitely worth celebrating, but the real story is what these investments mean for students and their schools," Dreier said. "We're making clean energy something students can experience firsthand, not just read about in a textbook. That hands-on learning makes a difference."

Interest in the program continues to grow, with 27 schools having submitted full applications so far in 2026 and another six completing the first step of the application process for the second round of funding. Full grant applications are due Jan. 11, with grantees expected to be announced by the end of February. The next round of funding is expected to launch in February. More information will be available on Commerce's website.

Electric school buses begin serving students

Minnesota schools are also putting new electric school buses into service with support from Commerce's Electric School Bus Grant Program, which was created in 2023.

As of Oct. 21, Commerce has awarded nearly $8.8 million to 10 school districts to help purchase of 23 electric school buses. The grants also support the infrastructure needed to charge and operate the buses.

Electric school buses produce no tailpipe emissions, protecting children from harmful air pollution. These buses are also quieter, and cheaper to operate and maintain, allowing districts to put money saved back into their classrooms.

Two new rounds of electric school bus grant funding — one focused on technical assistance and one on purchasing buses — opened Oct. 19, creating additional opportunities for Minnesota school districts to explore electric transportation.

"There's a lot that happens between awarding a grant and seeing solar panels on a school roof or a new electric bus picking up students," said Commerce Assistant Commissioner for Federal and State Initiatives Lissa Pawlisch. "It takes school leaders, teachers, transportation teams, contractors and dedicated Commerce staff working together. It's wonderful to see all that hard work turn into something students and their communities can benefit from every day."

Bringing clean energy into the classroom

School District 622, which serves more than 10,000 students in the Twin Cities east metro area and home to Justice Alan Page Elementary School, is putting state clean-energy investments to work through both Commerce's Solar for Schools and electric school bus grant programs.

The district received Solar for Schools grants totaling nearly $675,000 for solar installations at Justice Alan Page Elementary, Richardson Elementary and Carver Elementary. Commissioned in 2025, the three solar installations are expected to generate more than 660,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power approximately 71 average Minnesota homes for a year — while providing nearly $65,000 in estimated first-year electricity savings.

At Justice Alan Page Elementary alone, the solar installation is projected to save the district more than $22,000 in electricity costs during its first year and approximately $900,000 over the system's lifetime.

The district also received more than $1.2 million through Commerce's electric school bus grant program to purchase three electric school buses and three charging stations. The buses are expected to begin transporting students throughout the district in mid-November.

"With the Department of Commerce Solar for Schools and Electric School Bus grant programs, District 622 is truly proving that we are 'Ready for tomorrow'," said District 622 Superintendent Christine Tucci Osorio. "We are protecting the environment, capturing major fiscal savings and teaching our students how to lead into the future."

More information about the school district's solar program is available on the district's website.

Learn more

Solar for Schools

Electric School Bus Grant Program

Connect with the Minnesota Commerce Department

Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce by following Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.

Contact

Jen Longaecker | Media Relations and Public Affairs Director
Minnesota Department of Commerce
651-478-9457
news.commerce@state.mn.us