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MN’s schools among best and brightest leading the nation’s solar movement

Story by Emily Haeg Nguyen

American schools are ready to shine brighter!

middle school solars

According to a recent article from Canary Media, nearly 9,000 K-12 schools across the United States have installed solar panels. School districts in states like California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are expecting to save tens of millions of dollars in energy costs over the coming decades.

Minnesota is among the states making a splash in this area, as well! With more than 23 megawatts of solar power installed across more than 190 schools, the state ranks 11th in the country for number of schools with solar energy systems. Plus, the number of schools going solar continues to grow.

"Minnesota schools are eager to adopt solar energy, but many have questions about how to move from interest to installation," says Peter Lindstrom, Manager of Public Sector & Community Engagement at the Clean Energy Resource Teams. "That’s where we come in."

Discover Solar for Schools

from Minnesota Department of Commerce

Solar for Schools

Minnesota schools are eager to adopt solar energy, but many have questions about how to move from interest to installation. That’s where we come in.

- Peter Lindstrom, CERTs

CERTs plays a crucial role in supporting Minnesota schools by leading outreach and education efforts for the Solar for Schools statewide grant program. Launched by the Minnesota state legislature in 2021 and managed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the initiative is designed to help schools gather the support they need to install solar energy systems.

"By any measure, the Solar for Schools grant program has been a tremendous success," Lindstrom says. "Since its launch, well over 100 schools have installed arrays or are in the process of doing so." And the movement shows no signs of slowing down.

Echoing the national and local momentum, Lindstrom adds, "In Minnesota, we know that there is still a tremendous amount of opportunity in this area. Next year promises to be gangbusters!"

Learn how K-12 schools nationwide are switching to solar energy

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