The city of Minneapolis has launched a new solar incentive for small businesses that will match up to $0.25 per kWh match for the first year of solar production estimate AND will match $0.35 per kWh in recognized Environmental Justice areas or Green Zones of Minneapolis. The project must be installed before they will pay out the incentive so they can get an accurate assumption of production.
Patrick Hanlon, Director of Environmental Programs for the City of Minneapolis, said “In Minneapolis we know the threats of climate change are real, as is the pollution associated with our energy choices. We created this program to create real change to start improving the situation now. It’s fair to say this is the best incentive program of any individual city in the United States.” So it’s kind of a big deal!
The goal of the Minneapolis Green Business program for solar projects is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance to the city’s goals, increase the amount of solar installations in the city, especially those in environmental justice areas, and reduce the pollution directly related to our energy usage. The city is working on ways to balance projects to have a combination of small and large projects from 1 megawatt that provide better return on investment to smaller 20kW systems that are used by smaller businesses and non-profit entities.
The program will have rolling deadlines in 2018 on March 1st, April 1st, May 1st and June 1st until the money runs out. The city is looking for a combination of small and large projects. This project is in addition to the past energy efficiency cost share program which has the same rolling deadlines.
The Metro CERT program at the Great Plains Institute will be partnering with the City of Minneapolis to convene a review committee for the proposals and share the success stories.
Links to more info:
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from MN Energy Stories Blog from CERTs https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/minneapolis-launches-cost-share-program-business-solar-installations
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