The Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar for Schools Program (mn.gov/solar4schools) is now open for a new round of applications for grant funding from schools across Minnesota to install solar power on school rooftops or grounds. The grants help schools add renewable energy as a source of power and offer students hands-on lessons about renewable energy technology.  

“Solar for Schools is good for our planet, it reduces our carbon footprint, and it cuts costs for our schools, offers hands-on learning for our students, and opens the door for students to explore careers in clean energy,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan during a recent visit to Lake Marion Elementary in the Lakeville Public School District, which currently has six schools with solar and five more schools on track to add solar.  

“Solar for Schools has shown to be a highly popular program because of its benefits for students, schools and communities,” said MN Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “Everyone benefits from a clean energy future, and Solar for Schools is one action that moves us in that direction.”  

"We are teaching the next generation about how we are going to be powering our schools, our cities, and our communities,” said Lake Marion Elementary School Principal Bret Domstrand. “We are also teaching students how energy generation works.”  During the event, STEM teacher Kim Menard and students provided demos of solar-powered water fountains and other projects students at Lake Marion construct as part of hands-on learning about renewable energy.  

View the visit to Lake Marion Elementary by Lt. Gov. Flanagan and Commissioner Arnold. 

Since the Solar for Schools Program was first launched in 2021 by the Minnesota Legislature, 70 schools in Minnesota have received Solar for Schools grants and another 35 schools are on track to receive grants, for a total of $9 millions in grant funding for the 105 schools.   

Solar for Schools had significant changes in the 2023 legislative session, including:  

• Nearly $30 million in additional funding for Solar for Schools  
• Consolidation into one program:  Commerce’s Solar for Schools is now available to K-12 public schools across Minnesota, including schools in Xcel Energy territory (which were previously under a separate program operated by Xcel Excel)  
• Grants will now cover from 40-70% of costs for the schools, based on their financial need   

Federal clean energy funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden in 2022, are available for schools to receive up to 30% tax credits to further reduce solar installation costs.  

Benefits of Solar for Schools Program   

Solar for Schools provides incentives for installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota public K-12 schools, Tribal Contract, Cooperative Districts, as well as state colleges and universities.  

Among the benefits of Solar for Schools  

• Adding solar reduces schools’ energy costs, which are second highest cost category for schools  
• Solar power helps reduce schools carbon emissions  
• Students have opportunities for real-time learning about solar power and renewable energy  
• Students can learn about careers in our growing clean energy economy  

Schools apply for Solar for Schools grants in a two-step process:  

1. Schools submit a readiness assessment application, which is due Feb. 7, 2024.  
2. Once they are approved as ready by the MN Commerce Department’s Energy Resources Division staff, schools are invited to submit a full application, due June 7, 2024.  

Commerce has partnered with the Clean Energy Resource Teams to provide free guidance and technical assistance for schools in the application process.  

List of school districts awarded Solar for Schools grants  

An additional 35 schools are in progress to complete full applications.  

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

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Mo Schriner, Communications Director
Minnesota Department of Commerce
mo.schriner@state.mn.us

Kristen Glazer, Assistant Communications Director
Minnesota Department of Commerce
kristen.glazer@state.mn.us