Eligible applicants

We are seeking partners to help residents benefit from the Green Cost Share program.

Selected applicants will pass on City solar incentives down to residential property owners going through their program. 

To be eligible you must be one of the following: 

• A solar developer
• A solar group buy program operator
• A housing developer for:
  • Single family homes
  • 2-4 unit properties

In this section

• See eligible projects
• Submit an application
• Incentive category definitions
• Incentive rates
• How we calculate City match

For individual residents

You can reach out to organizations that have been awarded group buy contracts.

• Find organizations
• See other solar resources for residents

Properties included in your group buy application must:

• Be in the City of Minneapolis
• Fall into one of the following categories:
  • Single-family (owner occupied or rental)
  • Duplex
  • Triplex
  • Quadplex

Application requirements

Your application must:

• Be for rooftop solar arrays
• Include at least five properties
• Reserve 20% of your properties for either of these incentive categories:
  
  • Environmental Justice
  • Affordable Housing

You do not need to have a complete list of properties to apply.

Application process

Apply for funding for project before you start.

1. Fill out the Green Cost Share application. The application includes:
   • A description of your financial model
   • Estimated project results within the calendar year
   • Contact information
2. A City convened review panel reviews applications at each deadline.
3. The City sends out award letters.
4. City contracting starts.

Apply for funding

Base category

Any eligible property.

Environmental Justice category

Property must be located in a Minneapolis:

• Green Zone
• Great Street Eligible Priority Area

Affordable Housing category

Affordable housing or utility bill support program, such as:

• Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program
• Income Qualified Solar*Rewards
• Minnesota Energy Assistance Program
• Weatherization Assistance Program
• Low Income Rental Classification (LIRC)

We will provide the following incentives for each individual property within a group buy application.

*The maximum match amount for each category is $175,000.

**Per estimated annual kilowatt hours (kWh-AC) of production.

We calculate the match by multiplying two numbers:

• The estimated annual kilowatt hours (kWh-AC) of production of your solar energy system
• The incentive rate for your project's category

Example: 30,000 kWh x $0.20 per kWh = $6,000 match

How to determine which numbers to use

• Ask your solar installer for the kWh. Make sure PVWatts or another solar production modeling program supports this number.
• Work with City staff to determine the appropriate category for your project.

Find organizations

Residents interested in solar for their home can reach out to a developer or solar installer to be included in group buy applications.

Organizations who have been awarded solar group buy grants include:

• All Energy Solar
• MN Solar and More
• Solar United Neighbors Solar Switch
• The Solstice Project

Solar developers who are not on this list can apply through the Green Cost Share program.