Funding available for Minnesota clean energy projects

The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) is accepting community-led project proposals related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage projects within Minnesota. In particular, CERTs seeks proposals for projects that help people learn about clean energy, build community by engaging a variety of partners, remove barriers, making clean energy more accessible for everyone and are highly visible in the community and can be an example for other communities.

CERTs Seed Grants fund the labor it takes to get these projects started and act as an incentive for funders to support the remaining needs of the project. The grants strive to ensure all Minnesota communities have access to clean energy, including those with high energy burdens, where households spend more than 5% of their annual income on energy costs (compared to 2% for the average Minnesota household). 

Local residents who make up the seven CERTs Regional Steering Committees will select the projects to be funded in their region. Awarded projects will be notified in December 2025, with a public announcement in January 2026. 

Financial and programmatic support comes from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Conservation and Optimization Program and the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. Additional financial support is provided by the Carolyn Foundation. 

CERTs Seed Grants encourage projects that help people see clean energy working in their own communities. Since 2006, over $1.98 million in CERTs Seed Grants has been awarded to over 500 projects across Minnesota.  

For more information, visit cleanenergyresourceteams.org/certs-seed-grants.