Federal Funding Boosts Clean Energy and Biofuel Infrastructure for 71 Minnesota Farms and Small Businesses

(KNSI) – Seventy-one farms and small businesses across Minnesota will receive federal funding for clean energy technology and energy efficiency improvements, and, 15 awards will support infrastructure development to enhance the accessibility of domestic biofuels.

Among the projects funded under the Rural Energy for America Program, a $38,950 grant will support the installation of a 32-kW solar array near Sauk Centre. This system is projected to generate approximately $4,428 annually and produce 44,100 kWh of electricity each year. In Stearns and Pope Counties, a combined $860,895 will fund the installation of two anaerobic digesters at separate dairy farms. These digesters are expected to generate $2,600,000 in annual revenue and produce 16,473,525 kWh of electricity per year—enough to power 1,520 homes. Near Royalton and Rice, a $22,835 grant will convert two center pivot irrigators from diesel to electric. This upgrade will yield $17,000 in annual savings and produce 187,000 kWh of electricity per year, sufficient to power 17 homes.

These investments aim to reduce Minnesota’s carbon emissions while cutting consumer costs for energy and fuel.

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