Solar in Minnesota -

EV Charging in Minnesota -

Minnesota continues promoting commercial EV charging infrastructure in 2026 by leveraging federal and state programs to expand access along major travel routes. Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is directing about $68 million in federal funds through FY 2026 to build fast chargers along key corridors such as I‑35, I‑94, and I‑90, with private and public entities eligible to apply to install stations with at least four 150 kW ports no more than 50 miles apart and open 24/7. Many locations are already under development or in planning following multiple funding rounds.

In addition to federal support, state initiatives and local policies help commercial EV charging grow. Minnesota agencies like the Pollution Control Agency have offered grants (e.g., ~$1.89 million for fast chargers in key corridors), and cities such as Saint Paul require new parking development to be EV‑ready, which indirectly aids future commercial charger deployment. These efforts reflect a broader state strategy to lower emissions and support EV adoption while integrating infrastructure planning at multiple levels of government.

Howver, policy shifts introduce new financial dynamics for charging businesses. The Minnesota legislature has passed or considered measures to tax public EV charging, such as a $0.05 per kilowatt‑hour charge on electricity delivered at commercial public stations (with exemptions for small or legacy chargers and residential charging), effective from late 2025/2027 depending on statute timing. This change is designed to contribute revenue to transportation funds but could affect operating costs for commercial charger owners and operators.

Minnesota in 2026 maintains a broadly supportive policy environment for commercial solar power development as a key part of its transition to clean energy, but the landscape involves a mix of incentives, regulatory frameworks, and ongoing political debate. The state’s Clean Electricity Standard, enacted in 2023, legally requires utilities to reach 100% carbon‑free electricity by 2040, with interim targets (including a 10% solar electricity share by 2030), which underpins demand and planning for large‑scale solar projects. In practice, this has translated into significant project approvals: for example, in 2025 the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission authorized nearly 475 MW of new solar capacity, including one of the largest single‑site solar installations ever in the state, with commercial operation expected through 2026 and beyond. These moves reflect a strategic state stance toward scaling utility‑scale solar to achieve carbon‑free energy goals.

At the incentive and program level, Minnesota continues to offer a range of financial and structural supports that bolster commercial solar investment. Commercial solar investments benefit from state incentives such as property and sales tax exemptions, and utility programs like Xcel Energy’s “Solar*Rewards for Business,” which provide performance‑based payments over time, lowering project costs and improving financial returns. The Minnesota legislature has also secured long‑term funding through the Renewable Development Account to support solar incentive programs (including renewables funding appropriations extending into the 2026‑27 biennium). Additionally, policy improvements during the last biennium aimed to modernize community solar rules—allowing larger distributed generation and up to 10 MW projects—although the debate around these provisions continues.

Despite this supportive backdrop, local resistance and policy uncertainty pose constraints in some areas of Minnesota. Several counties have enacted moratoriums on permitting or zoning of large solar and wind projects to study the impacts, particularly concerning farmland and land use, indicating localized regulatory pushback. On the legislative front, bills have been introduced that could sunset the Low‑to‑Moderate‑Income (LMI) Accessible Community Solar Garden program by 2028, a move that solar advocates warn would disrupt economic benefits and energy equity gains delivered by community and commercial solar deployment. Meanwhile, court decisions have affected the compensation model for community solar subscribers—potentially lowering financial returns on existing commercial solar investments. Collectively, while Minnesota’s statewide stance in 2026 remains generally favorable toward commercial solar power backed by statutory clean energy mandates and incentives, localized opposition and ongoing policy debates create a complex planning and investment environment.