The state’s Solar for Schools Program is on track to award $7.5 million in grants for up to 80 schools in 45 school districts across the state, including school districts in Fairmont, Marshall, Redwood Area, St. James, St. Peter, Sleepy Eye and Windom.

Grants will cover up to 95% of costs for the schools, based on their financial need, allowing schools to install solar panels on school rooftops or school grounds. The projects would add renewable energy as a source to power schools, reduce school energy costs for taxpayers and offer more than 160,000 students hands-on learning about solar power and renewable energy technology.

The grants are the first school solar projects awarded under the Solar for Schools program passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2021.

As part of the grant process, schools submitted readiness assessments in January 2022. The Department of Commerce approved 80 schools to submit by May 31 their full application for DOC’s review and approval.

“We are excited about the number of schools making plans to add solar power through the Solar For Schools Program,” said Jack Kluempke, DOC emerging energy technologies supervisor, who oversees the Solar for Schools program.

Currently, 60 school districts in Minnesota have solar energy on their rooftops or adjacent land.

“Solar for Schools is on track to nearly double the number of school districts in Minnesota with solar power through this grant program,” Kluempke added.

Solar for Schools is designed to provide incentives for installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota public K-12 schools as well as state colleges and universities. Eligible public schools may be awarded up to $114,000 to purchase and install a solar energy system on the school rooftop or grounds, with the grant covering 25% to 95% of the project costs.

The program offers benefits for schools, students, communities and the state, including:

• reducing energy costs by adding solar power,

• providing site-specific learning opportunities, offering students real-time learning about solar power,

• providing clean energy and often local jobs,

• reducing electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions,

• adding “homegrown” renewable sources of energy to the state’s electrical grid.

The demand to participate in Solar for Schools has exceeded the available funding. DOC received $11.7 million in requests from school districts. The state Legislature allotted $7.5 million.

DOC is planning to return to the Legislature during the 2022 session to approve $3 million in additional funding to award grants for more schools. The proposal is included in the governor’s Move Minnesota Forward budget.

In the 2021 session, legislators established two tracks for the Solar for Schools, with one track for schools located in Xcel Energy’s service territory, which is primarily in the Twin Cities metro area. Schools within Xcel Energy territory apply through Xcel’s program. The program directly serves districts outside of Xcel Energy territory.