Renewable Energy for Greater Minnesota | Clean Energy Resource Teams

Is solar right for your business or farm?

The least expensive energy is the energy you don't use. Start with energy efficiency. Your utility may offer energy assessments. If they don't, talk to us about other options.
If you have flat or southern-facing roof areas or open land free from shade then you could have a suitable site for solar PV.
You can cover as little or as much of your electricity use as you like, and we can help you understand how to size a system to fit your needs and budget.
Funding, financing, and incentives at the local, state, and federal levels combined with reduced equipment costs are helping farms and businesses install more solar now than ever before.

Sign up for a consultation with us!

Resources & Assistance from CERTs

Technical expertise to help plan a project to best meet your needs and available resources.
Information on utility programs (such as energy assessments and rebates).
Assistance throughout the process of getting solar, including a preliminary site assessment and financial modeling, evaluation of bids from installers, and more.
Information on how to get an energy audit and assistance on implementation of energy efficiency projects.
Assistance with grants, such as USDA Rural Energy America Program grants.
Information about tax incentives (tax credits start at 30%; accelerated depreciation also available).
Assistance with loans, such as Property Assessed Clean Energy.

Next Steps for Project Planning

Featured Project Examples

Helpful Downloads

Renewable Energy for Greater MN factsheet

Business Case Studies

The inside on a convenience store. Three large, standup coolers can be seen. They shine bright white light and are stocked with items like pop, bags of frozen food, and other grocery items. The ceiling, walls and floor and all warm shades of brown and look freshly constructed. A large, decorative birch tree trunk and bare limbs can be seen above the coolers, reaching toward the ceiling.

Hub 71 in Wadena County just got cooler

White woman and man stand shoulder to shoulder outside. Blue sky and hotel in background.

Arrowhead business receives $55K for solar upgrade

Bearded white man stands in front of a floor to ceiling cooler. Cooler is filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Story Spotlight: Rural grocery store stocks up on community support

Farm Case Studies

chisholm farm solar

Harvesting the sun for a new crop: electricity

Pat Duncanson

Listen: Adding to farm income with solar and wind energy

roger solar

Video: The Walkes family powers their grain and cattle farm with solar

Interested in exploring how clean energy could work for your business or farm? Speak with Anna Peterson to learn more.

Our efforts are made possible by USDA Rural Development, who has invested millions of dollars in clean energy projects in rural communities throughout Minnesota