Rebates

Alexandria Light and Power (ALP) offers residential customers several rebate programs, including Energy Star Appliance rebates, Residential Central AC or Heat Pump Rebates, and Water Heater rebates. Eligible equipment includes:

• Clothes washers 
• Dishwashers 
• Dehumidifiers 
• Room Air Conditioners 
• Water Heaters 
• Central AC
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
•  LED lighting
  

ALP also offers an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station rebate program to qualifying customers. More details on the program are available here.

Anoka Municipal Utilities (AMU) offers incentives for residential customers to install energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs in eligible homes. Rebates are available for Energy Star qualified central A/C units, room air conditioners, LED light bulbs, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. There are also rebates related to electric vehicle chargers. Some restrictions apply to these programs. All equipment standards must be met in order to qualify for a rebate. Customers should contact AMU or visit the program website for full details and application forms.

Austin Utilities offers incentives to its commercial and industrial customers for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in eligible facilities. Rebates are available for lighting equipment, HVAC equipment, anti-sweat heater controls for cooler/freezer doors, motors, variable speed drives, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), food service equipment, and finally custom and electric measures.Austin Utilities can also help examine a customer's potential energy and money saving options by identifying rebate amounts and estimated payback time. Applications must be submitted and approved before the new equipment is installed. Rebates are available until funds are exhausted for the calendar year.

Austin Utilities offers incentives to its residential customers for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in homes. Rebates are available for both electric and natural gas equipment. Eligible equipment includes a variety of appliances, room and central A/C, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, lighting, insulation, and programmable thermostats. Recycling rebates for refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, and room air conditioners are only available to customers who properly recycle their old working models. Austin Utilities will reimburse the customer for specified recycling costs if they have proof that they recycled their old unit and replaced it with an ENERGY STAR model. Rebates are available until

Austin Utilities provides incentives for their residential and commercial customers to install photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems. Qualifying PV systems can earn flat rebate of $500; eligible solar water heating systems can earn $15 per square foot of collector area. Incentives are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Austin Utilities obtains the right to withdraw the program at any time without notice.

In order to obtain eligibility, customers must agree to a net-metering and interconnection contract with Austin Utilities. An energy audit must be performed prior to system installation and results shared with Austin Utilities.

Application forms with

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its 18 non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Blooming Prairie Public Utilities provides incentives for its residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of participating homes. Rebates are available for upgrades to lighting, fixtures, refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, heat pump water heaters, smart thermostats, dehumidifiers, efficient furnace fan motors, ECM circulator pumps, room AC, central AC/heat pumps, and geothermal heat pumps. Appliances must

Brainerd Public Utilities offers a rebate program for customers that install solar photovoltaic systems. Rebates are $0.50 per watt, up to $2,500. Systems are limited to 40 kW, in compliance with Minnesota's net metering policy.  

Note: 2023 rebate program coming soon, check back or call 218-825-3203

Brainerd Public Utilites (BPU) offers a variety of rebates to residential customers. Additionally, through a partnership with Energy Insight, Inc., commercial customers can set up a consultation for potential rebates. Interested commercial customers should contact Mike Swanson at [email protected] or 952-767-7469.

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

Authority for adopting the state energy codes was previously vested in the Energy Security Office of the Department of Commerce (originally the Department of Public Services). In 1999-2000, the state legislature transferred this authority to the Building Codes and Standards Division within the Department of Administration. Eventually, the Building Codes and Standards Division was transferred to the

CenterPoint Energy offers residential high-efficiency energy rebates to Minnesota customers. These systems can greatly enhance savings and performance in residences which install high efficiency equipment. All equipment requirements must be met in order to receive rebate. Rebate forms must be turned in by December 31 of the program year. See program website and application forms for other program details. 

The purpose of this policy is to help define appropriate locations for solar energy systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe and effective use of solar energy to increase opportunities for renewable energy generation.

In general, solar energy systems are allowed in all zoning districts. Solar energy system must comply with the minimum yard requirements of the district where they are located. Screening of solar energy systems is not required. All lots in subdivisions of forty (40) acres or more shall be platted in an orientation to maximize solar exposure.

For building-mounted solar energy systems, the

The intent of this policy is to define appropriate locations for wind energy conversion systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe, effective and efficient use of wind energy conversion systems to increase opportunities for generation of renewable energy. 

Building mounted wind energy conversion systems shall be permitted in all zoning districts. The systems shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height. Structures must be less than four (4) stories and forty-two (42) feet in height. If the building is nonresidential, the wind energy system must be setback at least ten (10) feet from the building.

Freestanding

Minnesota has several energy efficiency policies for state buildings, dating back to 2001. In April 2011, Governor Dayton signed a series of Executive Orders which created a comprehensive energy savings plan for state facilities. In addition to creating several new initiatives, the Orders also incorporated existing energy efficiency and renewable energy statutes and programs. inn April 2019, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 19-27 which updated existing guidelines for energy reduction and procurement.

Energy Reduction Requirements
Executive Order 11-12 set a goal of reducing energy use in state facilities by 20%. The Order does not set a deadline for reaching this

Connexus Energy offers rebates to its residential and commercial customers for the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). For more information, visit the program website.

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) offers Connexus Energy members discounted rates for loans. These loans offer homeowners the option of financing their purchase instead of applying for rebates afterwards. A variety of energy efficiency improvements, including ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, electric thermal storage, and water heating measures are eligible for loans. Contact CEE for more information on this program.

Connexus Energy offers rebates for residential customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for programmable thermostats, load management, EV charger installation, and peak demand reduction. Additionally, Connexus Energy offers a variety of programs to help reduce electric rates. Visit the program website or contact Connexus Energy for more information.

Crow Wing Power offers several incentives for residential consumers to increase the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for a variety of energy efficiency measures. These technologies include air conditioning tune-ups, air source heat pumps, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, electric dryers, freezers, refrigerators, battery-powered yard equipment, boiler heaters, plenum heaters, central air conditioning, ductless air source heat pumps, electronically commutated motors, geothermal source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, thermal storage, water heaters, LED light bulbs, and smart thermostats. Rebates on heat pumps and air conditioners vary by system efficiency. In addition

Dakota Electric provides low-interest loans to help its residential customers finance projects which will improve the energy efficiency of participating homes. Two loans are offered. One is for 0% APR for a maximum loan of $7,500 and term of 6-60 months. The other is for 2.99% APR for a maximum loan of $25,000 and a term of 61-120 months. More information can be found on the program website.

Dakota Electric Association provides incentives through a partnership with the EnergyWise program for residential customers to install energy-efficient equipment in the home. Rebates under $400 will be issued as a credit on your bill. Rebates are available for a variety of products which are listed below.

Limited rebate funds are available, and rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Some incentives vary by the efficiency of the purchased equipment. Detailed program requirements and applications may be found on the web site listed above.

Dakota Electric Association offers a $500 rebate to residential customers for the installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charger.

Duluth Comfort Systems offers a loan program for homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of homes located within the city. Loans are available for insulation, air sealing, furnace replacements, water heaters, lighting improvements, and certain appliances. Contact Duluth Comfort Systems regarding the eligibility of other improvements not listed here. An energy audit must be performed on participating homes in order to identify needed upgrades. The maximum loan is $30,000 for an owner occupied house and $15,000 per rental unit for non-owner occupied or multi-unit properties. All loans must be repaid within 10 years of project commencement. Only residents of Duluth

This program addresses a larger goal of trying to get more electric vehicles on the road in Minnesota by giving E-ZPass Minnesota credits to people who purchase or lease a new or used electric vehicle between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2025. The E-ZPass Minnesota incentive encourages those who are thinking about purchasing or leasing a vehicle to choose an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Note: you must have or open an E-ZPass Minnesota account including all minimum balances and fees, as applicable, to receive E-ZPass Minnesota credit. Only one electric vehicle incentive per account. E-ZPass

Elk River Municipal Utilities provides rebates to residential electric customers who purchase and install ENERGY STAR rated appliances and HVAC equipment. Eligible programs includes:

• Air Conditioners Tune-Ups
  
• Energy Efficient Appliances
  
• Electric Vehicle Chargers
• HVAC
• Irrigation Tune-Ups
  
• Water Conservation
  

In order to receive rebates for appliances, rebate application must be jointly filled out with appliance dealer. Installation of central A/C and heat pumps must be done by a pre-approved HVAC-certified contractor.

In addition to appliance rebate opportunities, Elk River Municipal Utilities also offers reimbursement for A/C tune-ups conducted by HVAC contractors. More information, including rebate applications and a list of pre-approved

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Fairmont Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available in some cases

The Farm Opportunity Loan Program (formerly known as the Sustainable Agriculture Loan Program) is designed to finance the purchase of equipment to add value to crops or livestock, adopt best management practices, reduce agricultural inputs to improve the environment, and increase on-farm energy production. Eligible loan uses do not include expenses related to seed, fertilizer, fuel, or other operating expenses. Refinancing of existing debt is not an eligible expense.

This is a loan participation program available through the Rural Finance Authority (RFA). Farmers will work through their local lender. Upon completion of an application, the lender will apply for RFA

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's (MHFA) Fix-up Loan provides low-interest financing for energy conservation and other basic improvements to residential properties. A higher loan amount may be available for improvements that enhance the accessibility of the home for a disabled family member. Loans are available for up to $25,000. To be eligible for the loan, the home must be occupied by the property owner. 

Another key feature of the MHFA home improvement loan program is the opportunity for homeowners to contract with approved lenders directly. Find a participating lender at this link.

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Grand Marais PUC provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified technologies such as dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available

The Home Energy Loan Program is a statewide program of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency administered by the Center for Energy and Environment Financial Resources. It offers low interest loans to homeowners who want to make energy improvements to their properties. Eligible improvements include water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, building insulation, windows, and doors. Custom improvements may be eligible as determined by the program administrator.

The property should be single-family (1-4 units) residential. There is no maximum annual household income limit. Loans are secured through a mortgage on the property. 

Hutchinson Utilities Commission (HUC) offers a variety of rebates to residents of Hutchinson who perform energy conservation improvements to their home. Rebates are available for a variety of energy efficient equipment including furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, geothermal and air-source heat pumps, water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, and LED lighting. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards listed on the program website. Rebates are also available for central air conditioner tune-ups. The rebate applications must include an original itemized sales receipt and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the program website for more information.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) adopted updated interconnection standards in June 2019. The standards are modeled after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Small Generator Interconnection Process and apply to systems up to 10 MW in capacity. 

The MPUC standards, like the FERC standards, use a three-tiered approach to simplify the interconnection process:

• Inverter Process: Systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) 
• Fast Track Process: Systems larger than 20 kW that meet the eligibility criteria in the table below 
• Study Process: Systems that fail to qualify for the Fast Track Process

Lake Country Power (LCP) encourages energy efficiency by offering financial incentives to residential customers. Rebates are available for ENERGY STAR® rated products purchased in the current program year. All equipment requirements must be met in order for installations to be eligible. Eligible products include:

• refrigerators 
• freezers 
• dehumidifiers
• clothes dryers
• battery-powered yard tools
• air-source and geothermal heat pumps 
• electric thermal storage heat
• central air conditioning
• WiFi smart thermostat
• water heaters
• LED lighting
• Level 2 EV charger
  

More information can be found at the website listed above.

Lake Region Electric Cooperative offers a rebate for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charging stations through its Chargewise Program. The rebate is for up to $500 and applies to the installation of a Level 1 or Level 2 EVSE charging station.

Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC) offers rebates for residential customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for air-source heat pumps and central air conditioning units, as well as water heating, electric thermal storage, and electric vehicle chargers. The program website contains all necessary rebate forms. The rebate application forms and a copy of the invoice/receipt must be submitted to the utility in order to receive rebates. View equipment-specific requirements for ductless air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pump rebates. A list of registered HVAC contractors can be found on the program website.

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Litchfield Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified technologies such as dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available

Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) offers a variety of incentives for its residential customers to install energy-efficient equipment in homes. Rebates are available for ENERGY STAR  and other high efficiency equipment, including:

• Clothes washers
• Clothes dryers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Room A/C units
• Dehumidifiers
• Central A/C
• Heat pumps
• Water heaters
• Electric Vehicle Chargers
• LED Lighting
• Toilets

More information regarding all residential rebate programs, including rebate applications, can be found on the web site listed above.

To invest in a renewable resource, consider an ENERGY STAR Solar Thermal Water Heater and use free energy from the sun to heat your water. Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) offers rebates of $20 per square foot of collector area up to a maximum of $2,000 towards the installation of a qualifying ENERGY STAR Solar thermal water heating system. In addition to rebates, solar water heating systems are Minnesota sales and property tax exempt and currently qualify for a 30% federal tax credit.

For additional information regarding ENERGY STAR solar thermal water heating savings, rebates, and available tax incentives, see the

Minnesota Energy Resources offers the Home Energy Excellence Program to encourage builders to build energy efficient homes. Minnesota Energy Resources offers rebates to both homeowners and builders for certain types of equipment installed in homes that were built as a part of this program. Minnesota Energy Resources will only provide one rebate per piece of equipment, so contractors and homeowners should determine who applies for/receives the rebate. For specific program requirements, interested customers should call 866-872-0052.

Minnesota Energy Resources offers a variety of rebates to residential customers who install energy efficiency measures in homes that have been newly constructed. Program applications must be received within 60 days of installation of measures. Low income customers should check out low income new construction rebates. For questions about this program, call Minnesota Energy Resources at 866-872-0052.

Minnesota Energy Resources provides rebates to residential customers for the purchase of energy efficient equipment. Rebates are available for a variety of energy efficiency measures, including furnaces, boilers, integrated space and water heating systems, programmable thermostats, water heaters (tank and tankless), clothes washers, and drain water heat recovery devices. All equipment must meet certain efficiency standards listed on the program website. Purchases qualify for both new homes and renovations. The rebate application can be downloaded from the program web site. Applications are processed on a first- come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Contact Minnesota Energy Resources for more information

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Minnesota Power Grant Program offers grants of up to $50,000 to its commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers who use innovative technologies, improve manufacturing processes, undertake renewable electric energy projects or who need project design assistance. Eligible projects include renewable energy products, new electro-technologies that lower energy costs per unit of production in a manufacturing process, innovative technologies that are new and underutilized in the regional marketplace, and the inclusion of energy-efficient options in the design phase of a project.

Grants are ranked and awarded based on least grant cost per kW (annually) and/or kWh (lifetime). Design assistance grants are awarded

Minnesota Power offers a variety of appliance, lighting, and heating and cooling system rebates to its residential customers to help make homes more energy efficient. Rebates are available for ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators, CFLs, and lighting fixtures; and energy efficient furnaces and heat pumps (air-source and geothermal). Rebates are only available to residential customers of Minnesota Power and participating utilities. Qualifying appliance(s) must be installed within the service area of a participating utility. Check the program website for more information regarding procedures and qualifications to participate in rebate program.

Through Minnesota Power's Triple E New Construction Program, homeowners and builders can qualify for special incentive rebates by meeting specific energy standards on new home construction. These standards cover thermal integrity (insulation, windows and doors, exterior wind barriers), airtight construction, moisture control, appliances, lighting, ventilation, and heating system performance for air and water. This program is open to all residential new construction built in Minnesota Power's service area. For additional information on specific guidelines and requirements, review the program website.

Minnesota Power offers a rebate for grid-connected solar-electric (PV) systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. Rebates are worth $0.29/kWh expected production in the system's first year of operation. The expected production is determined by using PV Watts, a publicly available tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and accounts for specific characteristics of the system's siting. 

Minnesota law provides for the creation of solar and wind easements for solar and wind-energy systems. As in many other states, these easements are voluntary contracts. However, unlike similar provisions in other states, Minnesota law specifically provides for wind easements in addition to solar easements. For tax purposes, an easement imposed on a property may decrease the property value, but an easement which benefits a property may not add value to that property.

Solar and Wind Easements must be created in writing and shall be filed, duly recorded, and indexed in the office of the recorder of the county in

Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) offers financial incentives to encourage energy efficiency within the residential sector. Rebates are available for a variety of equipment including air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, Energy Star appliances, and electric resistance heating products. Contact MVEC for more information on this program and eligibility requirements.

Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative offers low-interest loans to help residential customers finance energy efficiency improvements through the Energy Conservation Loan Program. More information and loan applications can be accessed from the website listed above. This program is available for replacement items only. Loans are not available for new homes.

Minnesota cooperatives and municipals in Minnkota Power Cooperative’s service territory are providing incentives for their residential customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through the Value of Electricity campaign. Cooperatives and participating municipals can offer incentives for the installation of qualifying electric heating, water heating and vehicle charging equipment on the off-peak program. Each utility can implement the incentive with its own requirements. Some restrictions apply. Please check with your utility if you are interested in applying for these rebates. See website above for further details on the program.

Minnkota Power Cooperative offers the PowerSavers program through its participating cooperatives and municipalities to residential customers. This program is designed to provide end-use customers with a quick and easy way to choose high-efficiency equipment at the time of normal equipment replacement or major renovations. Some of these technologies include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, domestic hot water heaters and Energy Star clothes washers. Financial incentives are based on a prescribed amount per technology. See the above website for more information.

Contact your cooperative or municipal for more information.

Bright Energy Solutions offers energy efficiency cash incentive programs to residential and business customers of municipal utilities that are members of Missouri River Energy Services. In Minnesota, this includes:

• Adrian Public Utilities
• Alexandria Light & Power
• Barnesville Municipal Utilities
• Benson Municipal Utilities
• Breckenridge Public Utilities
• Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
• Elbow Lake Muncipal Electric
• Henning Municipal Utilities
• Hutchinson Utilities Commission
• Jackson Municipal Utilities
• Lake Park Public Utilities
• Lakefield Public Utilities
• Luverne Municipal Utilities
• Madison Municipal Utilities
• Marshall Municipal Utilities
• Melrose Public Utilities
• Moorhead Public Service
• Ortonville Municipal Utilities
• Sauk Centre Public Utilities
• St. James Public Utilities
• Staples Water & Light
• Wadena

Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) serves 12 member communities in Minnesota. Through these communities, MMPA offers rebates to residential customers for upgrading certain household equipment. Rebates are available for central air conditioners and air source heat pumps, mini-split ductless heat pumps, ECMs, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and LED bulbs and fixtures. All appliances, lighting, air-source heat pumps, and air conditioners must be ENERGY STAR qualified. Actual incentive amounts vary by community. Visit the program website for more information.

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency that generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Mora Municipal Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified technologies such as dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available

Minnesota's net metering law, enacted in 1983, applies to all investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives. 

Minnesota has also finalized a methodology for a value of solar tariff in lieu of a net metering billing mechanism; however, no utility has elected to implement such an alternative tariff as of November 2015.

System Size

Customers with "qualifying facilities"* less than 1,000 kilowatts (kW) in capacity at investor-owned utilities and less than 40 kW in capacity at municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are eligible for net metering. 

Investor-owned utilities may require customers with a net-metered facility of 40 kW or greater

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, New Prague Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available in some

New Ulm Public Utilities offers incentives for its residential, commercial, and industrial customers to install energy-efficient equipment in eligible homes and facilities. Equipment eligible for rebates include:

• programmable thermostats
• Energy Star appliances
• Boilers
• Furnaces
• Central A/C units
• Central A/C Cleaning
• District energy system repair/modernization
• Room A/C units
• Lighting
• Furnace cleanings

New Ulm Public Utilities provides solar photovoltaic (PV) rebates for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Rebates are for $1 per nameplate watt, and customers must sign a net metering and interconnection agreement with the utility. Systems must be new and sized between 0.5 kilowatts (kW) and 40 kW. 

Contact New Ulm Public Utilities using the contact listed below for more information.

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, North Branch Municipal Water & Light provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available

Otter Tail Power offers a rebate of $400 to residential customers who install a Level 2 Electric Vehicle charging station on a qualified off-peak rate (which includes Dual Fuel, deferred Load, RDC, Fixed Time of Delivery, or Minnesota Electric Vehicle Charging Rate). For more information, visit the program website.

Otter Tail Power Company Rebate Program offers rebates to qualifying commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers for the installation of high-efficiency equipment upgrades. See the program web site for applicability and maximum amounts for certain technologies. Under Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Plan (CIP), Minnesota customers are eligible for additional rebates, including:

• Commercial Refrigeration
• Commercial Water Heating
• Thermal Storage
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Commercial/Industrial Lighting
• Motors/ASDs
• Geothermal and Air-Source Heat Pumps
• Retrocommissioning

Information regarding rebate program eligibility and product and equipment requirements may be found on the web site listed above. Contact Otter Tail Power Company for more information on this program.

Otter Tail Power Company Rebate Program offers rebates to qualifying residential customers for the installation of high-efficiency equipment upgrades. Under Minnesota's Conservation Improvement Plan (CIP), Minnesota customers are eligible for rebates for a variety of measures, including:

• Water heating 
• Insulation and Air Sealing
• Thermal storage 
• Appliance recycling 
  
• Heat Pumps
  
• Lighting 
• Smart thermostats

Information regarding rebate program eligibility and product and equipment requirements may be found on the website listed above.

Owatanna Public Utilities provides incentives for their residential and commercial customers to install photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems. Qualifying PV systems can earn a flat rebate of $500; eligible solar water heating systems can earn $15 per square foot of collector area.

In order to obtain eligibility, customers must agree to a net-metering and interconnection contract with Owatanna Public Utilities. An energy audit must be performed prior to system installation and results shared with OPU.

Rebates are offered in conjunction with a 30% federal tax credit and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. OPU obtains the right

Owatonna offers incentives to residential customers who install energy-efficient equipment in homes through the Conserve and Save Rebate Program. Equipment rebates for technologies such as refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners can be increased by properly recycling previously used, working units. Owatonna Public Utilities will reimburse the customer for the recycling costs if they have proof that they recycled an old unit and replaced it with an ENERGY STAR model. Rebate applications for measures purchased during the previous year are due by March 31 of the following year. 

All equipment requirements must be met in order to qualify for rebates. See website

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Preston Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers, and furnace fan motors. Specific program details and requirements can be found on the website listed above.

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Princeton PUC provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available in some cases if

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Redwood Falls Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified technologies such as, dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are

Xcel Energy's Renewable Development Fund (RDF) was created in 1999 pursuant to the 1994 Radioactive Waste Management Facility Authorization Law (Minn. Stat. § 116C.779). Originally, Xcel Energy was required to donate to the fund $500,000 annually for each dry cask containing spent nuclear fuel being stored at the Prairie Island nuclear power plant, amounting to about $9 million annually. Subsequent legislation, enacted in May 2003, extended nuclear-waste storage at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island plant and increased the amount Xcel must pay toward the development of renewable-energy resources to $16 million annually for as long as the utility's Prairie Island nuclear

Supported by the state's Renewable Development Fund, Minnesota offers a payment of 1.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for on-farm biogas facilities. Previously, this incentive also offered payments to wind and hydroelectric facilities, but no new incentives are being offered for these technologies.

Hydro Facility Eligibility

Generally, the incentive is available to hydro facilities located at the site of a dam, if the dam was in existence as of March 31, 1994, and begins generating electricity after July 1, 1994 or generates electricity after substantial refurbishing of a facility that begins after July 1, 2001. In order to receive payments, qualifying hydro

In 2007, Minnesota legislation modified the state's 2001 voluntary renewable energy objective to create a mandatory renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Public utilities (i.e., investor-owned utilities), generation and transmission electric cooperatives, municipal power agencies, and power districts operating in the state are required to have at least 25% of retail electricity sales be generated or procured using eligible renewable sources by 2025, with a higher standard for Minnesota's nuclear utility, Xcel Energy. 

In 2013, H.F. 729 created an additional requirement that all public utilities have 1.5% of retail electricity sales be generated or procured using solar energy by 2020 and set

Runestone Electric Association offers rebates to its residential customers for the installation of qualifying Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers. There is a $250 rebate for uncontrolled EV chargers and $500 for controlled ones. Visit the program website for more information.

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Saint Peter Municiple Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available in some

Shakopee Public Utilities offers its residential customers rebates on a variety of energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Rebates are available on a first come, first served basis while funds last for LED lighting,refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, Central A/C, heat pumps, and select appliance recycling. All rebate applications must include a receipt that provides proof of purchase (information needed: store name, customer name, date of sale, manufacturer name, model number, and date of installation).  Additionally all appliances need to be ENERGY STAR rated, and if applicable, must have UPC labels; proof of SEER, EER, and HSPF; and proof of recycling.  For specific program details

In Minnesota, solar-energy systems purchased on or after August 1, 2005, are exempt from the state's sales tax. Solar energy systems are defined as:

"a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful purposes including heating and cooling buildings or other energy-using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy." M.S. 297A.67, subd. 29.

Thus the exemption is very broad and could apply to solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water-heating systems and solar space-heating systems. All components of these systems

All active solar space-heating and water-heating systems that are sold, offered for sale, or installed on residential and commercial buildings in Minnesota must meet Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) standards. Specifically, the rule references SRCC's "Operating Guidelines" pertaining to collector certification and system certification: OG-100 and OG-300, respectively. Local building officials may issue permits for the installation of solar water-heating systems and solar space-heating systems after these systems have been certified by the SRCC. 

The administrative rules specifically state that that the law does not apply to systems designed to produce electric power.

H.F. 2310, enacted in May 2023 (see section 216C.375), created the Solar for Schools grant program under the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Program allows schools and parties on the behalf of schools to apply for grants for up to 100% of the cost of procuring and installing a solar energy generation system on or adjacent to the school premises. The law directed a $14,310,000 budget allocation to support the program. 

The Department of Commerce is directed to request applications from interested schools, utilities, and developers and assess the applications and ensure that all costs are necessary and reasonable

H.F. 2310, enacted in May 2023 (see section 216C.377), created the Solar Grant Program: Public Buildings program under the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Program allows local government units to apply for grants for up to 100% of the cost of procuring and installing a solar energy generation system on or adjacent to the school premises. The law directed a $14,310,000 budget allocation to support the program.

The Department of Commerce is directed to request applications from interested local government units and assess the applications and ensure that all costs are necessary and reasonable. The amount of the grant amount

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency that generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its seventeen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities:

• Austin Utilities
• Blooming Prairie Public Utilities
• Fairmont Public Utilities
• Grand Marais Public Utilities
• Lake City Utilities
• Litchfield Public Utilities
• Mora Municipal Utilities
• New Prague Municipal Utilities
• Owatonna Public Utilities
• Preston Public Utilities
• Princeton Public Utilities
• Redwood Falls Public Utilities
• Rochester Public Utilities
• Saint Peter Municipal Utilities
• Spring Valley Municipal Utilities
• Waseca Utilities
• Wells Public Utilities

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to its eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities, and develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With help from SMMPA, Spring Valley Public Utilities provides incentives for residential and commercial customers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Rebates are available for qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners (central and room), lighting, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and freezers. Appliances must be ENERGY STAR to qualify for the rebate, and bonus incentives are available

Note: Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power have adopted the VOST as their DG compensation tariff.

Enacted in 2013, H.F. 729 required the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) to develop a distributed solar value methodology. Minnesota investor-owned utilities are permitted to use the approved methodology in applications for a Value of Solar Tariff (VOST) that would be used in lieu of a net metering billing mechanism. Under a VOST, customers are billed for all electricity usage under their existing applicable tariff and are credited for the solar electricity they produce under the approved VOST.

Methodology

The DOC was required to consult

The Value-Added Stock Loan Participation Program was created in 1994 and is designed to help farmers finance the purchase of stock in certain types of cooperative, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership that will produce a "value-added agricultural product." This may include wind energy and anaerobic-digestion cooperatives if they meet the eligibility requirements (see Statute and Rules for details).

Like Minnesota's Agricultural Improvement Loan Program, this is a "participation loan" program, where loans are made by individual financial institutions working with the Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The RFA purchases up to 45% of the loan principal up to $40,000. The

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) is a joint-action agency which generates and sells reliable electricity at wholesale to eighteen non-profit, municipally-owned member utilities:

• Austin Utilities
• Blooming Prairie Public Utilities
• Fairmont Public Utilities
• Grand Marais Public Utilities
• Lake City Utilities
• Litchfield Public Utilities
• Mora Municipal Utilities
• New Prague Utilities Commission
• North Branch Municipal Water and Light
• Owatonna Public Utilities
• Preston Public Utilities
• Princeton Public Utilities
• Redwood Falls Public Utilities
• Rochester Public Utilities
• Saint Peter Municipal Utilities
• Spring Valley Public Utilities
• Waseca Utilities
• Wells Public Utilities

Develops innovative products and services to help them deliver value to customers. With

WMU has partnered with Missouri River Energy Services for Residential rebates. Rebates are available for a variety of energy efficient equipment Which are listed above. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards listed on the program website. Rebates are also available for maintenance on certain technologies. Visit the program website for more information.

All real and personal property of wind energy systems are exempt from the state's property tax, except for the land on which the wind energy system is located. Under H.B. 3167, beginning with taxes payable in 2015, personal property consisting of solar energy generating systems is exempt from property taxation, but the real property (i.e., the land on which the solar energy generating system is located) is still subject to property tax. Wind and solar energy production taxes have replaced more typical forms of property tax.

Wind

In lieu of a property tax on large wind-energy electricity generating

Wind-energy conversion systems used as electric-power sources are exempt from Minnesota's sales tax. Materials used to manufacture, install, construct, repair or replace wind-energy systems also are exempt from the state sales tax. A "wind energy conversion system" (WECS) is defined as any device, such as a wind charger, wind mill or wind turbine, that converts wind energy to a form of usable energy.

In order to claim the exemption, buyers must complete an exemption certificate (MN Dept. of Revenue Form ST3 - Certificate of Exemption) and supply it to the equipment seller.

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association provides financial incentives for its residential customers to purchase and install energy efficient HVAC equipment. Rebates are offered for qualified geothermal, air source, and ductless heat pumps, central air conditioners, ECM motors, pool pumps, and electric water heating. Rebates for air-source heat pumps and central air conditioners vary based upon system efficiency. All equipment must meet program requirements and be installed within Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association service territory. Rebates are issued as a credit on utility bills. More information, including rebate applications and a list of certified HVAC contractors, may be found on the website listed

This program is available only to Minnesota residents who take both electric and natural gas service from Xcel Energy. The rebate amount will then depend on the measures chosen.

More information, including specific equipment requirements, a list of participating contractors, and application materials are available on the program web site

Xcel Energy offers Energy Design Assistance (EDA) to qualified Colorado business customers. EDA gives customers a comprehensive approach to energy and cost savings for businesses considering new construction or renovation projects. EDA services can be tailored to the unique needs of each business. Featured services include: energy consulting services and predictive energy modeling, free to participants; enhanced services, including help toward a green building certification and early analyses in areas such as daylighting, lighting, massing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); construction rebates for a package of whole building energy opportunities from envelope, lighting, and cooling to unique opportunities

Note: Xcel is not currently accepting proposals for this program. The most recent application deadline was April 1, 2013. See the program web site for information regarding future solicitations.

The Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund (RDF) was created in 1999 as an outcome of 1994 Minnesota legislation concerning spent nuclear fuel at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Plant. The original legislation has been amended and added to several times, expanding the amount of money collected by the fund and prescribing funding allocations for specific programs. Funding available for the grant program thus depends on the other funding obligations that

Xcel Energy offers a solar production incentive for systems 20 kW-DC or less through its Solar*Rewards program.

Eligibility

The customer's system capacity may not be more than 120% of the customer's on-site annual energy consumption. Participating customers must complete program forms and pay a $250 engineering fee; Xcel Energy will begin accepting online payments for the fee on or before January 1, 2017. If, prior to the completion of an engineering review, the application is denied or the customer elects not participate in the program, the customer's application fee will be refunded. 

The same PV project cannot also not a