MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota. The $15.6 million investment will save farms and rural small businesses nearly $18.4 million on their energy bills per year while simultaneously reducing harmful carbon emissions. A full breakdown of the awards and projected savings can be found below.
“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, including small towns and rural communities. That’s one reason why projects funded by the Rural Energy for America Program are so important. These investments will help farmers and business owners save money and improve their bottom lines while reducing harmful carbon emissions.”
“Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Senator 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.”
This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 380 clean energy projects on farms and in rural communities thanks to the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). Senator Smith championed and strengthened REAP in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.
The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make their operations more energy efficient. Example projects include installing energy efficient grain dryers, LED lighting and heat mats for livestock, solar panels, or energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
- Total Investment: $15,629,305
- Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 170,433,830 kilowatt hours per year, enough to power 15,727 homes
- Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $18,414,061 per year
The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by county, can be found here and below:
| County | Town | Award Amount | Details of Project | Annual Savings ($) | Annual Energy Savings (kWh/year) |
| Aitkin County | Hill City, MN | $65,338 | Purchase and install an energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, laundry equipment, insulation, water heater, LED lighting, and other energy efficient improvements for a hotel and campground | $16,037 | 51,302 |
| Beltrami County | Bemidji, MN | $94,850 | Purchase and install a 48 kW solar array for a commercial and residential cabinet factory | $21,226 | 60,466 |
| Benton County | Rice, MN | $40,487 | Purchase and install a 50.6 kW solar array for a farm | $7,769 | 69,091 |
| Benton County | Foley, MN | $68,419 | Purchase and install a 39,56 kW solar array for a dairy farm | $5,567 | 46,231 |
| Benton County | Foley, MN | $35,200 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a embroidery business | $4,207 | 39,955 |
| Benton County | Foley, MN | $1,000,000 | Purchase and install a 825 kW solar array for a industrial machinery manufacturing business | $97,709 | 1,055,860 |
| Big Stone | Clinton, MN | $57,075 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $10,186 | 150,390 |
| Big Stone County | Johnson, MN | $138,413 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $12,796 | 159,205 |
| Blue Earth and Faribault Counties | Minnesota Lake, MN | $125,470 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $12,821 | 91,586 |
| Blue Earth County | Good Thunder, MN | $24,990 | Purchase and install a 19.4 kW solar array for a farm | $3,762 | 28,134 |
| Blue Earth County | Mapleton, MN | $300,782 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $29,177 | 410,887 |
| Blue Earth County | Mapleton, MN | $500,000 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $10,942 | 449,783 |
| Blue Earth County | Good Thunder, MN | $44,200 | Purchase and install a 43 kW solar array for a automotive repair business | $7,764 | 59,090 |
| Brown County | Springfield, MN | $92,975 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a hog farm | $8,526 | 56,650 |
| Brown County | Hanska, MN | $73,655 | Purchase and install a 64.8 kW solar array for a hog farm | $7,719 | 89,567 |
| Carver County | Chaska, MN | $72,500 | Purchase and install a 47.385 kW solar array for a retail business | $13,250 | 61,564 |
| Chippewa County | Montevideo, MN | $214,858 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $11,789 | 162,235 |
| Chippewa County | Clara City, MN | $67,995 | Purchase and install energy efficient lighting, insulation, doors and an in-floor heating system for a custom swine and cattle feeding operation | $5,505 | 59,374 |
| Chippewa County | Milan, MN | $45,603 | Purchase and install heat mats for a hog farm | $7,650 | 134,984 |
| Chisago County | Chisago City, MN | $41,460 | Purchase and install a 27.88 kW solar array for a travel agency | $3,246 | 36,700 |
| Clay County | Hawley, MN | $80,136 | Purchase and install a 50.8 kW solar array for a farm | $11,464 | 71,868 |
| Clay County | Barnesville, MN | $83,570 | Purchase and install a 58.2 kW solar array for rural nonresidential property management business | $7,534 | 69,850 |
| Crow Wing County | Brainerd, MN | $432,750 | Purchase and install a 288 kW solar array for a property holding company | $20,236 | 305,644 |
| Crow Wing County | Baxter, MN | $78,650 | Purchase and install a 323.01 kW solar array for a electrical business | $11,750 | 53,160 |
| Dakota/Rice County | Northfield, MN | $19,999 | Purchase and install a 29 kW solar array for a farm | $7,140 | 37,581 |
| Dakota/Rice County | Northfield, MN | $80,064 | Purchase and install a 52.8 kW solar array for a farm | $14,501 | 70,313 |
| Dodge County | Claremont, MN | $84,868 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a farm | $9,625 | 51,395 |
| Dodge County | Kasson, MN | $53,507 | Purchase and install a 48.6 kW solar array for a farm | $12,903 | 67,541 |
| Douglas County | Alexandria, MN | $93,892 | Purchase and install a 79.9 kW solar array for a wood processing facility | $14,070 | 106,392 |
| Douglas County | Kensington, MN | $164,400 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $27,425 | 441,551 |
| Faribault County | Minnesota Lake, Blue Earth and Wells, MN | $432,509 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for three farm locations | $49,667 | 270,366 |
| Faribault County | Frost, MN | $25,500 | Purchase and install a 20.4 kW solar array for a construction company | $3,693 | 28,104 |
| Fillmore County | Preston, MN | $104,125 | Purchase and install a 85 kW solar array for a dairy and farm | $28,043 | 113,626 |
| Fillmore County | Preston, MN | $20,000 | Purchase and install a 25.9 kW solar array for a farm | $8,599 | 40,916 |
| Fillmore County | Rushford, MN | $75,350 | Purchase and install a 50 kW roof-mounted solar array for a commercial rental property | $10,844 | 54,040 |
| Fillmore County | Wykoff, MN | $86,374 | Purchae and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $8,032 | 138,139 |
| Fillmore County | Rushford, MN | $99,500 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $10,793 | 218,865 |
| Fillmore County | Rushford, MN | $98,718 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $13,173 | 262,192 |
| Freeborn County | Glenville, MN | $55,344 | Purchase and install a 38 kW solar array for a farm | $13,577 | 68,722 |
| Goodhue County | Wanamingo, MN | $85,575 | Purchase and install a 76.5 kW solar array for a farm | $13,179 | 95,281 |
| Goodhue County | Dennison, MN | $46,574 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a farm | $3,425 | 38,605 |
| Goodhue County | Zumbrota, MN | $57,750 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a farm | $6,185 | 38,431 |
| Goodhue County | Red Wing, MN | $52,488 | Purchase and install a 38.88 kW solar array for rental properties | $19,421 | 55,555 |
| Grant County | Elbow Lake, MN | $76,820 | Purchase and install a 50.9 kW solar array for a farm | $9,845 | 38,000 |
| Grant County | Elbow Lake, MN | $403,871 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $8,304 | 150,758 |
| Grant County | Barrett, MN | $160,969 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $28,636 | 522,755 |
| Isanti County | Isanti, MN | $78,275 | Purchase and install a 50.6 kW solar array for a farm | $7,336 | 71,128 |
| Kandiyohi County | Lake Lillian, MN | $190,950 | Purchase and install a 151.7 kW solar array for a turkey farm | $12,515 | 204,201 |
| Kandiyohi County | Blomkest, MN | $128,596 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $11,123 | 159,799 |
| Lincoln County | Tyler, MN | $50,630 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $5,432 | 74,565 |
| Lyon County | Amiret, MN | $17,610 | Purchase and install a 39 kW solar array for an auto repair business | $2,036 | 21,705 |
| Lyon County | Balaton, MN | $93,399 | Purchase and install an energy efficient geothermal heat pump for a farm shop | $5,246 | 147,212 |
| Marshall County | Warren, MN | $396,030 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $16,581 | 286,149 |
| Martin County | Trimont, MN | $51,607 | Purchase and install a 44 kW solar array for a grain farm | $10,221 | 34,413 |
| McLeod County | Plato, MN | $39,015 | Purchase and install a 40,7 kW solar array for a rented commercial property | $6,292 | 53,644 |
| Meeker County | Watkins, MN | $164,704 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $13,178 | 152,222 |
| Mille Lacs and Sherburne Counties | Princeton, MN | $179,731 | Purchase and install a 142.08 kW solar array for a metal fabrication business | $13,199 | 188,554 |
| Mille Lacs County | Milaca, MN | $39,150 | Purchase and install a 27.1 kW solar array for a towing company | $4,619 | 33,089 |
| Morrison and Benton Counties | Royalton, MN | $39,975 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a horse ranch | $8,527 | 65,590 |
| Morrison County | Pierz, MN | $45,200 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $7,882 | 68,871 |
| Morrison County | Pierz, MN | $40,000 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $7,882 | 68,871 |
| Morrison County | Pierz, MN | $40,750 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $7,739 | 67,621 |
| Morrison County | Pierz, MN | $47,965 | Purchase and install a 30 kW solar array for a automotive repair business | $6,947 | 38,023 |
| Mower County | Austin, MN | $56,745 | Purchase and install a 49.6 kW solar array for a farm | $11,138 | 63,580 |
| Mower County | Austin, MN | $47,430 | Purchase and install a 39.6 kW solar array for a farm | $5,865 | 50,200 |
| Mower County | Grand Meadow, MN | $99,315 | Purchase and install a 54 kW solar array for a farm | $13,094 | 73,319 |
| Mower County | Grand Meadow, MN | $44,514 | Purchase and install a 48 kW solar array for a farm | $10,809 | 73,849 |
| Murray County | Slayton, MN | $99,375 | Purchase and install a 52.8 kW solar array for a farm | $7,467 | 71,795 |
| Murray County | Fulda, MN | $84,465 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $8,663 | 169,358 |
| Murray County | Slayton, MN | $74,450 | Purchase and install a 55 kW solar array for a farm | $7,363 | 77,172 |
| Olmsted County | Stewartville, MN | $93,352 | Purchase and install a 46 kW solar array for a mini warehouse and self storage business | $5,060 | 49,537 |
| Otter Tail County | Henning, MN | $54,975 | Purchase and install a 40.5 kW solar array for a small business | $6,098 | 54,935 |
| Otter Tail County | Parkers Prairie, MN | $187,498 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $31,838 | 883,491 |
| Otter Tail County | Rothsay, MN | $20,000 | Purchase and install a 52.56 Kw solar array for a farm | $7,467 | 67,671 |
| Pennington County | Goodridge, MN | $62,727 | Purchase and install a 40.32 kW solar array for a farm | $5,657 | 49,652 |
| Pennington County | Goodridge, MN | $74,480 | Purchase and install a 41.6 kW solar array for a farm | $7,555 | 53,380 |
| Pine County | Pine City, MN | $186,468 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $24,638 | 519,657 |
| Pine County | Hinckley, MN | $102,625 | Purchase and install a 90.3 kW solar array for a restaurant | $58,578 | 105,100 |
| Pipestone County | Pipestone, MN | $156,597 | Purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting and heat mats for a hog farm | $14,212 | 389,368 |
| Pipestone County | Pipestone, MN | $84,912 | Purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting and heat lamps for a hog farm | $11,510 | 315,351 |
| Pipestone County | Pipestone, MN | $66,000 | Purchase and install heat mats for a hog farm | $12,893 | 180,363 |
| Polk County | Fosston, MN | $69,109 | Purchase and install a 58.32 kW solar array for a farm | $3,884 | 76,983 |
| Pope County | Lowry, MN | $149,758 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $28,220 | 519,143 |
| Red Lake County | Brooks, MN | $96,240 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $8,399 | 66,053 |
| Redwood County | Vesta, MN | $29,734 | Purchase and install a 23.1 kW solar array for a farm | $3,380 | 30,869 |
| Redwood County | Sanborn, MN | $150,937 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a hog farm | $15,492 | 96,937 |
| Redwood County | Vesta, MN | $64,592 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $3,197 | 44,588 |
| Redwood County | Walnut Grove, MN | $34,311 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $479 | 4,827 |
| Renville County | Olivia, MN | $373,174 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farmer | $12,845 | 164,891 |
| Renville County | Bird Island, MN | $100,132 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $5,843 | 81,377 |
| Renville County | Morton, MN | $280,115 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $10,481 | 236,992 |
| Renville County | Bird Island, MN | $42,525 | Purchase and install a 35 kW solar array for an electrical contracting business | $3,015 | 43,439 |
| Renville County | Renville, MN | $166,975 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $8,808 | 111,542 |
| Renville County | Fairfax, MN | $527,786 | Purchase and install a 111.5 kW solar array for a farm | $14,991 | 157,801 |
| Rice County | Faribault, MN | $53,984 | Purchase and install a 60.14 kW solar array for a farm | $21,995 | 85,778 |
| Rice County | Webster, MN | $36,960 | Purchase and install a 23 kW solar array for a farm | $7,476 | 32,691 |
| Rock County | Hill, MN | $65,562 | Purchase and install a 54.5 kW solar array for a farm | $7,217 | 79,943 |
| Rock County | Luverne, MN | $45,850 | Purchase and install an energy efficient geothermal system for a farm | $8,400 | 65,711 |
| Rock County | Luverne, MN | $66,500 | Purchase and install a 60kW solar array for a farm | $8,421 | 81,758 |
| Rock County | Luverne, MN | $72,128 | Purchase and install a 51.5 kW solar array for a farm | $14,196 | 68,582 |
| Rock County | Luverne, MN | $66,125 | Purchase and install a 51.5 kW solar array for a farm | $14,196 | 68,582 |
| Rock County | Luverne, MN | $99,959 | Purchase and install a 98.4 kW solar array for a construction company | $26,810 | 147,717 |
| Sibley County | Winthrop, MN | $1,000,000 | Purchase and install a Combined Heat and Power System for a dry-mill ethanol plant | $16,711,494 | 153,224,030 |
| Sibley County | Gibbon, MN | $150,625 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a farm | $17,905 | 93,051 |
| St. Louis County | Hibbing, MN | $37,746 | Purchase and install energy efficient storefront doors, windows and heating system for commercial rental buildings | $5,719 | 107,268 |
| Stearns County | Kimball, MN | $199,488 | Purchase and install a 171,99 kW solar array for a hemp processing plant | $18,528 | 208,132 |
| Stearns County | Richmond, MN | $40,186 | Purchase and install a 40 kW solar array for a farm | $6,582 | 52,532 |
| Stearns County | Holdingford, MN | $20,000 | Purchase and install a 298 kW solar array for a solar electric power generation facility | $3,878 | 38,018 |
| Steele County | Blooming Prairie, MN | $55,929 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a hog farm | $19,869 | 67,860 |
| Todd County | Eagle Bend, MN | $64,975 | Purchase and install a 48 kW ground mounted solar array for a farm | $7,909 | 61,569 |
| Wabasha County | Lake City, MN | $55,620 | Purchase and install a 49 kW ground-mounted solar array for a farm | $13,163 | 71,443 |
| Wabasha County | Lake City, MN | $19,999 | Purchase and install a 15.4 kW solar array for a farm | $3,211 | 31,098 |
| Wabasha County | Kellogg, MN | $62,500 | Purchase and install a 49 kW solar array for a farm | $19,129 | 76,494 |
| Wadena County | Menaghga, MN | $64,981 | Purchase and install a 54 kW solar array for a assisted living facility | $5,370 | 75,210 |
| Waseca County | New Richland, MN | $135,393 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $8,668 | 131,223 |
| Waseca County | Waseca, MN | $130,000 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a swine production operation | $26,521 | 93,301 |
| Watonwan County | Madelia, MN | $20,000 | Purchase and install a 49.5 kW solar array for a farm | $11,859 | 63,235 |
| Wilkin County | Doran, MN | $312,116 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $16,150 | 272,625 |
| Wilkin County | Campbell, MN | $295,842 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $6,707 | 122,955 |
| Wilkin County | Foxhome, MN | $90,240 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $6,707 | 122,955 |
| Wilkin County | Foxhome, MN | $230,750 | Purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer for a farm | $39,420 | 848,175 |
| Winona County | Winona, MN | $22,847 | Purchase and install a 19.8 kW solar array for a turf maintenance business | $5,620 | 30,547 |
| Winona County | Rollingstone, MN | $60,000 | Purchase and install a 37.5 kW solar array for a farm | $23,864 | 75,067 |
| Winona County | Winona, MN | $36,499 | Purchase and install a 21.6 kW roof mounted solar array for a home health care service business | $3,742 | 26,254 |
| Wright County | Buffalo, MN | $30,150 | Purchase and install a 21 kW roof-mounted solar array for an automotive repair business | $4,361 | 24,814 |
| Wright County | Delano, MN | $47,375 | Purchase and install a 50 kW solar array for a commercial rental property | $6,551 | 63,495 |
| Wright County | Delano, MN | $39,600 | Purchase and install a 26.4 kW solar array for a commercial property | $2,956 | 34,935 |
| Wright County | Cokato, MN | $95,500 | Purchase and install a 80 kW solar array for a convenience store and gas station | $36,641 | 115,657 |
| Wright County | Delano, MN | $55,075 | Purchase and install a 41 kW solar array for a honey processing facility | $9,880 | 54,044 |
| Wright County | Albertville, MN | $266,325 | Purchase and install a 276 kW solar array for a toll milling and grind service | $77,540 | 315,500 |
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