Clean energy, energy efficiency & EVs grants in Minnesota
Federal energy programs, state energy offices and utilities fund solar, efficiency retrofits and EV charging for small businesses. In Minnesota, these funds reach clean energy, energy efficiency & evs businesses and nonprofits through Minnesota state agencies, county programs and city economic development offices, alongside direct federal awards.
Example programs available to Minnesota applicants
- USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
- State energy office efficiency grants
- Utility and city EV charger rebates
Getting started in Minnesota
- 01Register your business with Minnesota (usually the Secretary of State) and get an IRS EIN.
- 02Check Minnesota licensing, permits and tax registration rules for clean energy, energy efficiency & evs.
- 03Register on SAM.gov for a free UEI so you can receive federal funds passed through Minnesota agencies.
- 04Contact your local Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free help with plans and applications.
- 05Ask your Minnesota city and county economic development office about local clean energy, energy efficiency & evs grants and incentives.
Who qualifies
- Rural small businesses and agricultural producers planning renewable energy systems (such as solar or small wind) or energy efficiency upgrades. These applicants may be eligible for USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which has location and size limits.
- Small businesses and nonprofits that pay commercial utility bills, which often qualifies them for their electric or gas utility's efficiency rebates on lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, controls, and building envelope upgrades.
- Businesses, nonprofits, and property owners installing workplace, fleet, or public EV charging. Utilities, cities, and state programs commonly offer per-port rebates for these projects.
- Nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal entities. These organizations may qualify for state energy office grants or locally distributed federal funds. Some may also be able to use elective (direct) pay for certain federal clean energy tax credits where those credits remain available.
- Commercial property owners in jurisdictions with Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) programs, which finance upgrades through a property tax assessment.
- Applicants that can document the project scope, costs, and expected energy savings or generation, and that can cover the required cost share or match.
Where the funding comes from
USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Grants cover only a portion of project costs. The required cost share and application windows vary by funding round. REAP also has a separate Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grant, which goes to eligible organizations (including some nonprofits and public entities) that provide energy audits.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funds state energy offices through the State Energy Program (SEP). It also funds local and tribal governments through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Those state and local agencies may then run grant or rebate programs open to businesses and nonprofits.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) runs the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grants. Funds generally flow through state DOTs or go to public entities, and private businesses may take part as site hosts or contractors. These programs have been subject to federal policy changes, so check current status.
The IRS administers federal clean energy tax credits and deductions, such as those for commercial solar, EV charging property, and efficient commercial buildings (Section 179D). Several of these were modified or scheduled to end under 2025 federal legislation, so verify current eligibility and deadlines on IRS.gov or with a tax professional. SBA 504 and 7(a) loans can also finance energy-related equipment and building improvements.
State energy offices, public utility commissions, and state clean energy funds or green banks may offer efficiency grants, solar incentives, EV charger rebates, low-interest loans, and free or subsidized energy audits for small businesses and nonprofits.
Electric and gas utilities, including investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives, commonly offer prescriptive and custom efficiency rebates, small-business direct-install programs, and EV charger rebates or make-ready infrastructure programs.
City and county sustainability or economic development offices may offer EV charging grants, green business programs, or C-PACE financing. The DSIRE database (dsireusa.org) lists many state, utility, and local incentives by location.
Common requirements
- For federal grants, register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Renew your SAM registration every year. Allow several weeks for processing, and remember that registration is free.
- Provide proof of legal business or nonprofit status. This can include state formation documents, an EIN, a good-standing certificate, and for nonprofits, an IRS determination letter.
- Supply an energy audit, energy assessment, or technical/feasibility report showing estimated energy savings or generation. Larger REAP projects and many custom utility rebates require one.
- Submit detailed project cost documentation, such as contractor quotes, equipment specifications, and proof that equipment meets program standards (for example, ENERGY STAR, DLC-listed lighting, or networked and certified EV chargers).
- Use licensed, insured contractors. Obtain the required local building, electrical, and interconnection permits, and secure utility interconnection approval for solar.
- Show proof of site control (ownership, or a lease plus landlord consent) and, for location-restricted programs like REAP, confirmation that the site is eligible.
- Provide financial documents showing you can cover the cost share or match, such as recent tax returns, financial statements, and bank or loan commitment letters. You may also need to comply with any environmental review, federal wage, or Build America, Buy America requirements that apply.
How to apply
- 01Define your project and get an energy audit or assessment, often free through your utility or state energy office. This identifies the upgrades with the best savings and the incentives that may apply.
- 02Research programs for your location using DSIRE, your utility's business programs page, your state energy office, USDA Rural Development's state office (for REAP), and Grants.gov. Note eligibility rules, deadlines, and cost-share requirements.
- 03Complete registrations early. Set up SAM.gov and your UEI for federal programs, and create accounts on any state or utility application portals. Collect your legal, financial, and site documents.
- 04Get qualified contractor quotes and equipment specifications. Many rebates require pre-approval before you buy equipment or start work, so don't begin installation until you confirm the program's timing rules.
- 05Submit a complete application by the deadline and respond quickly to reviewer questions. After an award, follow reporting, inspection, and invoicing requirements. Most programs pay as a reimbursement after completion and verification.
Frequently asked questions
Will a grant pay for my entire solar or efficiency project?
Usually not. Most programs cover only part of eligible costs and require you to fund the rest through cash, loans, or other incentives. Many grants also pay as reimbursements, so you may need to front the costs. Stacking several incentives can reduce your net cost, but some programs restrict combining funds, so check each program's rules.
Can nonprofits get REAP grants?
Generally, no. REAP project grants are for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Some nonprofits, public entities, and educational institutions may qualify for REAP's separate Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grants, which fund audits and technical help for others. Nonprofits should also look at state energy office programs, utility rebates, and federal elective pay for tax credits that are still available.
Are there grants for installing EV chargers at my business?
Often, yes, mostly through utilities, cities, and state programs. These commonly offer per-port rebates or cover electrical make-ready costs. Requirements may include networked chargers, minimum usage or uptime commitments, public access, or data reporting. Federal programs like NEVI and CFI typically flow through states or public entities, and their status has shifted, so confirm current availability.
Do I have to pay to register in SAM.gov or apply for grants?
No. SAM.gov registration and the UEI are free, and legitimate government grant applications don't charge fees. Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed grant money or charges upfront fees for access to grants. Legitimate consultants and grant writers do exist, but no one can guarantee an award.
Have federal clean energy tax credits changed?
Yes. Federal legislation enacted in 2025 modified or set earlier end dates for several clean energy and EV-related tax incentives. Eligibility can depend on when construction begins or when equipment is placed in service. Check IRS.gov and consult a qualified tax professional before relying on any credit in your project budget.
Free eligibility check: grants, licenses and every step for your city and county.
Researched from public sources. Program details change, so always confirm with the Minnesota funding agency. GrantVerify does not award grants or guarantee funding.