Solar on Public Buildings grant program expanded statewide

The Solar on Public Buildings grant program is now available statewide to local units of government in any utility service territory (no longer limited to Xcel Energy service territory). A new application round for the revamped Solar on Public Buildings (SPB) grant program will open in the coming weeks. To learn more, please join a Solar on Public building grant program webinar Thursday, July 31, at 1:30 p.m., hosted by Commerce Department partners from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs).

This popular program was previously available only to public buildings located within Xcel Energy service territory. Starting in August 2025, the Solar on Public Building grant program is available to any public entity in Minnesota. The state grant can potentially cover 70% of the cost of a solar array. Public entities receiving SPB grants from this funding round will be required to pursue a federal incentive that will cover 30% of the solar array cost – possibly covering the full cost of a solar installation on a publicly-owned building.

The maximum size of the array is 40kW (about the size of a tennis court), and you can apply for more than one building. Construction must commence by the end of 2025. To help applicants meet this deadline, the application process has been simplified. The RFP for this opportunity will be added to the MN Department of Commerce RFP page in late summer or early fall 2025, with the application period  expected to close mid-November.

Questions regarding the Solar on Public Buildings program or this webinar can be directed to [email protected].