Hometown Solar Grant Program

The future of our energy supply includes both renewable and non-renewable resources. The Hometown Solar Grant Program offers our members a unique, local learning opportunity to educate and familiarize students and members’ customers with solar power.

The Hometown Solar Grant Program - MMPA

In 2015, the Agency launched its Hometown Solar Grant Program — an extension of MMPA’s Energy Education Program. The purpose of the grant program is to provide an educational asset to our member communities and to help teach local youth first-hand how sunlight is converted into electricity, as well as the unique characteristics of solar power.

The Hometown Solar Grant Program provides schools and other educational facilities with the opportunity to apply for a 5 kW solar installation.

Eleven of the twelve MMPA member communities now host Hometown Solar installations. The Agency plans to provide additional grant opportunities over the coming years so that every MMPA community has the opportunity to participate.

The following educational facilities have been awarded Hometown Solar Grant Awards:

  • Brownton City Offices (Brownton, 2016)
  • BOLD High School (Olivia, 2016)
  • GFW High School (Winthrop, 2016)
  • Anoka High School (Anoka, 2017)
  • South Point Elementary School (East Grand Forks, 2017)
  • North High/District Education Center (North St. Paul, 2017)
  • Sibley East Middle/High School (Arlington, 2018)
  • Clover Ridge Elementary School (Chaska, 2018)
  • Eagle Creek Elementary School (Shakopee, 2018)
  • Tatanka Elementary STEM School (Buffalo, 2019)
  • Elk River City Hall (Elk River, 2019)

MMPA completed its first Hometown Solar installation at its Faribault Energy Park (FEP) in spring 2015. The FEP installation supports MMPA’s Energy Education Program, including educational tours at the Faribault facility.

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