U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms, Small Businesses in Rural Areas

[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding awards for 76 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology. This round of funding for Minnesota totals $7,891,608. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 250 clean energy projects in small towns and rural communities. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The projects are possible thanks to the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.

“The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s one reason why projects funded by REAP are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.”  

“Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.”

Total Investment: $7,891,608

Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 98,240,418

Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $2,583,511

The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by region, can be found here and below:

LocationAwardDetailsAnnual $ SavingsAnnual Energy Savings
Western Minnesota
Near Montevideo, MN$223,352Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$8,910146,200 kWh, enough to power 13 homes
Near Clara City, MN$222,801Purchase and install energy efficient exterior steel siding and insulation for a welding business$39,607716,559 kWh, enough to power 66 homes
Near Vesta, MN$487,860Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$12,04899,407 kWh, enough to power 9 homes
Near Renville, MN$474,727Purchase and install a thin juice heater for a sugar processing facility$1,588,52887,724,211 kWh, enough to power 8,095 homes
Near Gully, MN$154,240Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$10,67088,919 kWh, enough to power 8 homes
Near Trail, MN$130,740Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$9,09888,907 kWh, enough to power 8 homes
Near Marshall and Vesta, MN$120,721Purchase and install energy efficient heat mats for a small hog farm$35,154416,109 kWh, enough to power 38 homes
Near Stephen, MN$134,490Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$8,81688,158 kWh, enough to power 8 homes
Near Park Rapids, MN$74,205Purchase and isntall a 58.2kW solar array for a renewable energy production facility$8,03880,383 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Wilmont, MN$196,835Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm and stockyard$42,494563,453 kWh, enough to power 52 homes
Near Brewster, MN$62,259Purchase and install a 64.8kW solar array for a farm$8,03286,641 kWh, enough to power 8 homes
Near Park Rapids, MN$36,763Purchase and install an energy efficient boiler with baseboard heating and water heater$2,39057,361 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Foxhome, MN$62,993Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$4,40159,942 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Elbow Lake, MN$86,750Purchase and install an energy efficient grain handling system for a farm$5858,185 kWh, enough to power 1 home
Near Foxhome, MN$181,375Purchase and isntall an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$17,620420,661 kWh, enough to power 39 homes
Greater Twin Cities Metro Area
Near Loretto, MN$211,350Purchase and install a 149kW solar array for a construction business$36,187163,977 kWh, enough to power 15 homes
Near Hastings, MN$59,000Purchase and install a 54.2kW solar array for a farm$8,96568,162 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Hastings, MN$33,533Purchase and install a 30kW solar array for a farm$12,49144,429 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Farmington, MN$79,018Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$28,947473,613 kWh, enough to power 44 homes
Near Rosemount, MN$83,500Purchase and install a 74.8kW solar array for a farm winery$7,04173,933 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Northern Minnesota
Near Cotton, MN$19,999Purchase and install a 30.8kW solar array for a farm$8,36363,693 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Central Minnesota
Near Hutchinson, MN$149,375Purchase and install a 50kW solar array farming and commercial real estate business$14,39996,468, enough to power 9 homes
Near Hutchinson, MN$149,375Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a small winery business$12,483.0096,468 kWh, enough to power 9 homes
Near Spicer, MN$58,250Purchase and install a 54.5kW solar array for a custom farming business$7,40173,659 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Bowlus, MN$41,449Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$8,81867,314 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Bowlus, MN$49,875Purchase and install a 70.6kW solar array for an electrical contracting business$12,61496,237 kWh, enough to power 9 homes
Near Bowlus, MN$41,449Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$9,04369,034 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Hutchinson, MN$55,000Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a farm$8,26265,942 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Brainerd, MN$46,230Purchase and install a 37kW roof mounted solar array for a construction company$9,04142,640 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Bertha, MN$68,239Purchase and install energy efficient heat mats in hog farrowing crates for a hog farm$8,966195,958 kWh, enough to power 18 homes
Near Hutchinson, MN$30,240Purchase and install a 25.2 kW solar array for a snimal food manufacturing facility$4,13632,929 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Hutchinson, MN$32,500Purchase and install a 25kW solar array for a farm$4,11934,273 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Isanti, MN$39,625Purchase and install a 25.22kW solar array for a berry agricultural production facility$4,22234,893 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Foley, MN$44,219Purchase and install a 36kW solar array for a farm$4,76444,766 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Buffalo, MN$118,048Purchase and install a 58.9kW solar array for a commercial rental property$19,28968,581 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Pierz, MN$61,945Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a hog farm$8,42668,611 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Milaca, MN$86,424Purchase and install a 70.55kW solar array for an assisted living care facility$5,74894,753 kWh, enough to power 9 homes
Near Long Prairie, MN$39,975Purchase and install a 50.6kW solar array for a farm$9,41868,477 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Swanville, MN$79,950Purchase and install two 50.6kW solar arrays for two farming locations$16,266139,318 kWh, enough to power 13 homes
Near Annandale, MN$42,400Purchase and install a 28kW solar array for a farm$4,26537,461 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Southern Minnesota
Near St. James, MN$230,500Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$53,8301,004,059 kWh, enough to power 93 homes
Near Trimont, MN$130,077Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$32,257383,918 kWh, enough to power 35 homes
Near Lamberton, MN$437,771Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$2,81048,793 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Porter, MN$127,347Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$2,15815,752 kWh, enough to power 1 home
Near Butterfield, MN$159,817Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$1,80044,796 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Winona, MN$20,000Purchase and install a 19kW solar array for a dog breeder$5,46447,742 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Hartland, MN$76,847Purchase and install a 42.64kW solar array for a farm$12,270.0050,201 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near Alpha, MN$195,972Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$8,925154,361 kWh, enough to power 14 homes
Near Ostrander, MN$28,892Purchase and install a geothermal heating and cooling system for a trucking business machine shop$98813,921 kWh, enough to power 1 home
Near Rochester, MN$32,416Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$5,905116,353 kWh, enough to power 11 homes
Near Fulda, MN$309,380Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$28,479336,522 kWh, enough to power 31 homes
Near Stewartville, MN$29,500Purchase and install a 25.9kW solar array for a nail salon$7,86934,437 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Rose Creek, MN$90,211Purchase and install a 76kW solar array for a farm$28,848153,944 kWh, enough to power 14 homes
Near St. Charles, MN$22,995Purchase and install a 19.2kW solar array for a farm$5,01529,659 kWh, enough to power 2 homes
Near Owatonna, MN$203,275Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$12,554450,895, enough to power 42 homes
Near Kilkenny, MN$96,509Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$8,936149,251 kWh, enough to power 14 homes
Near Janesville, MN$20,000Purchase and install a 19.4kW solar array for a farm$3,40525,468 kWh, enough to power 2 homes
Near Rochester, MN$60,000Purchase and install a 48kW solar array for Skyline Raceway$9,02673,138 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Elkton, MN$53,266Purchase and install a 38kW solar array for a farm$12,879.0063,709 kWh, enough to power 6 homes.
Near Wells, MN$66,008Purchase and install a 50.88kW ground-mounted solar array for a hog farm$16,97871,021 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Ellendale, MN$132,500Purchase and install two solar arrays that total 105.8kW for two farms$55,915144,833 kWh, enough to power 13 homes
Near Pemberton, MN$117,969Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm$9,514316,490 kWh, enough to power 29 homes
Near Rose Creek, MN$59,000Purchase and install a 49kW solar array for a farm$8,40976,447 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Goodhue, MN$99,999Purchase and install a 38kW solar array for a farm$40,388155,665 kWh, enough to power 14 homes
Winona, MN$18,388Purchase and install a 12.3kW solar array for a commercial real estate business$1,87714,542 kWh, enough to power 1 home
Near Chatfield, MN$20,000Purchase and install a 28.8kW solar array for a farm$6,04439,895kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Glenville, MN$55,431Purchase and install a 38kW solar array for a farm$11,29775,200 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Kasson, MN$55,070Purchase and install a 37.5kW solar array for a farm$12,02373,968 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Adams, MN$96,276Purchase and install a 153kW solar array for a farm$24,239228,871 kWh, enough to power 21 homes
Near Adams, MN$20,000Purchase and install a 22kW solar array for a farm$4,32232,332 kWh, enough to power 3 homes
Near Rose Creek, MN$51,199Purchase and install a 38kW solar array for a hog farm$15,83877,516 kWh, enough to power 7 homes
Near Good Thunder, MN$20,000Purchase and install a 49.5kW solar array for a farm$11,096.0062,629 kWh, enough to power six homes
Near Truman, MN$87,909Purchase and install energy efficient heat mats in the hog farrowing crates for a hog farm$22,028275,337 kWh, enough to power 25 homes
Near Chatfield, MN$31,601Purchase and install a 35.6kW roof-mounted solar array for a commercial rental property$3,06244,940 kWh, enough to power 4 homes
Near St. Peter, MN$67,075Purchase and install a 50kW solar array for a commercial property businesses$5,52665,402 kWh, enough to power 6 homes
Near Hampton, MN$197,329Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer and handling system for a farm$21,472327,726 kWh, enough to power 30 homes

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