Business Solutions

Take advantage of MVEC’s business rebates and enjoy reduced energy bills by implementing various energy efficiencies within your facility. Rebates are determined by calculating electric energy demand and usage reductions due to installing energy-efficient products. Custom energy grants are also available to help assist with installations and offset costs. Applications below are available in either Excel (fill-in) or PDF (printable) formats. Contact your key account executive if you need assistance with accessing or filling out the rebate applications. Rebates funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2025 Rebate Applications

Lighting

• Retrofit and LED – Fillable PDF
• Custom Lighting – Fillable PDF

Heating & Cooling

• Roof Top Units, Split System, Air Source Heat Pumps, Economizers – Excel
• Chillers, Cooling Tower, and Air Handling VAVs – Excel
• Packaged Terminal A/C, Mini-Split, Water Source Heat Pumps – Excel
• Ground Source Heat Pump – Excel
• Small Commercial AC Tune-Up – Excel

Motors & Drives

• Variable Frequency Drive and Variable Speed Drive – Fillable PDF
• Fractional Horsepower Motor – Fillable PDF

Agriculture

• Dairy Plate Cooler – Fillable PDF
• Dairy-Free Water Heater – Fillable PDF
• Robotic Milking Equipment – Fillable PDF
• Agricultural Ventilation – Fillable PDF
• Hog Farrowing – Fillable PDF
• Irrigator Variable Frequency Drive – Fillable PDF

Other

• Custom Energy Rebate – Fillable PDF
• Vending Machine Control – Fillable PDF
• Building Studies – Fillable PDF
• Electric Fork Lift – Fillable PDF
• Electric Fork Lift Trial – Fillable PDF
• Food Service Equipment – Fillable PDF
• Commercial EV Charger – Fillable PDF
• Compressed Air – Fillable PDF

MVEC’s On-Site Generator Program can help lower electric rates for commercial, industrial, and agricultural members by 30% or more. Plus the backup power will give you peace of mind.

Generator Rate-Saving Program

Many business members choose this program for two important reasons:

1. On-site generation provides a secondary source of power during unexpected outages. By continually monitoring utility power, an on-site generator will automatically start and transfer your facility to generator power if a loss of electricity is detected. Benefits include:
   • Minimize business downtime and lost revenue
   • Eliminate lost labor hours waiting for power to return
2. On-site generation provides monthly rate-saving opportunities over MVEC’s standard business rates through the “Peak Alert” load management program.

How Does the Peak Alert Program Work?

• During periods of high energy demand, MVEC will remotely and automatically start your generator and transfer your energy source from the utility to your generator. When the peak demand period is over, we remotely send a signal to the generator to return to normal utility service.
• Transferring your facility reduces demand on the system during peak usage times. A large portion of electricity costs is based on peak demand usage.

Examples of Businesses Taking Advantage of On-site Generators:

• Car dealerships
• City governments
• Convenience stores
• Entertainment complexes
• Manufacturers
• Retail operations
• Schools Service providers

On-site Generator Agricultural Applications

• Dairy farms
• Swine operations
• Poultry facilities

MVEC can provide a complete turnkey installation of your generator, coordinating all aspects of the project, or we can work with your choice of contractors and vendors.

Already have a generator at your location? Review this checklist of generator maintenance items (pdf).

Many members are looking for alternative solutions to help them save money and protect the environment. In Minnesota, the state requires that 25% of utility electric energy sales will come from renewable energy sources by 2025.

MVEC will assist you in connecting your electric generation equipment with our system. Your safety and the safety of our employees are of the utmost importance – that’s why all interconnection applications are contingent on qualified equipment and require certification from an electrical inspector licensed by the State of Minnesota. Advanced planning is required, and MVEC recommends you contact us at the beginning of your interconnection process.

Use the Nova Power Portal to browse interconnection information, initiate the process, track the status of your project, and learn more about installing your renewable energy system.

Do your homework

Talk to others who have a similar system. Be sure to conduct complete due diligence on the economic benefits, legal issues, zoning regulations, maintenance, and operating costs. Get references on vendors before making a purchase. The State Board of Electricity requires renewable energy sources to be installed by a qualified licensed electrician, and MVEC requires members to apply to connect to its electric lines. The installation must meet the State of Minnesota Distributed Generation Interconnection Standards.

Wind

Wind power is created with 3-blade turbines, which spin electric generators. Typically, wind turbines are mounted on tall, 120 to 250-foot towers to access the best wind. Wind power installations can be expensive and tend to be best suited in high-wind regions where the best possible production can be attained. For example, about 40% efficiency is possible in the Dakotas, but it tends to be under 20% within MVEC’s service area. Learn more about wind

Solar

Solar power takes energy from the sun’s radiation and converts it into heat or electricity. There are a variety of solar options, including photovoltaic systems, which absorb energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. This clean, environmentally safe, renewable energy source is readily available because there is no need to drill, mine, or transport it. There are various systems available from flat roof to ground mount systems. Learn more about solar

To make Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) purchases, click here.

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• MVEC Board Policy Regarding Distributed Generation Disputes (PDF)
• MVEC Co-generation Rules (PDF)

Notice of Cogeneration

The Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative Board of Directors adopted the Cooperative Minnesota Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection process, which was updated by the State of Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Minnesota Statute 216B.1611 states cooperatives shall adopt an interconnection process that addresses the issues addressed in the Commission’s order. MVEC’s updated Cogeneration Policy reflects the adoption of the Cooperative Minnesota Distribution Energy Resources Interconnection Process (C-MIP). All new distributed energy resources will follow the C-MIP interconnection process as of June 1, 2019.

In compliance with MVEC-adopted rules relating to cogeneration and small power production, MVEC is obligated to interconnect with and purchase electricity from co-generators and small power producers who satisfy the conditions as a qualifying facility. MVEC is obligated to provide information free of charge to all interested members upon request regarding rates and interconnection requirements. All interconnections require an application and approval to become a qualifying facility. Any dispute over interconnections, sales, and purchases is subject to resolution by MVEC. Members with questions can contact, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, 125 Minnesota Valley Electric Drive, Jordan, MN 55352, call (952)492-2313 or (800) 282-6832

MVEC is your partner in creating and fostering economic development opportunities for new and existing business members within our service area. Our key accounts team is happy to work with you.

The USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program provides zero-interest loans and grants to Rural Utilities Service borrowers to promote rural economic development and job creation projects. Loans are passed through the REC to the Ultimate Recipient. Grants are used to capitalize the REC Revolving Loan Fund. The initial loan is made to the Ultimate Recipient. Maximum Amounts:

• Loan: 50% of project cost
• Grant: $300,000 requires a 20% match from the member cooperative

Maximum Maturity: up to 10 years.

Rates & Fees: The interest rate is 0%; the borrower pays closing fees; up to 1% servicing fee is charged annually.

Loan Uses: Construction, land acquisition, equipment purchase, and other uses approved by the electric cooperative. Loan criteria are heavily weighted on job creation, employee training, and improvements in local economic factors.

Additional Information: Federal lending regulations are imposed on the project, including compliance with laws about civil rights, wages, the American Disability Act, equal opportunity employment, historic, etc. An environmental review of the projects is required for construction projects. Contact Joe Green at (952)492-2313 or (800) 282-6832 for more information.

Express Energy Design Assistance Portal

In less than ten minutes this tool can help you make decisions about energy efficiency in your building projects and enable you to access incentives available from MVEC.

We’ll ask you detailed questions about your building or construction projects. If you run into a question and don’t know the answer or are unsure what to do, you can always reach us by selecting help, and one of our energy efficiency professionals will contact you. Get started using the link below.

Express Energy Design Assistance

Complimentary Business Services: Contact your Key Account Executive for more information.

Energy Audit Studies Is your business using energy efficiently? How much power is your facility using? Could changing some operations in your business save you money? The Energy Audit Study identifies energy and power cost reduction opportunities.

Infrared Testing & Ultrasonic Scanning Do you suspect your equipment is giving off excessive heat? Using specialized infrared cameras, we can detect and provide solutions to minimize damage and increase the life expectancy of the electrical systems in your facility. Ultrasonic scanning technology can detect potential failures in wiring and bus bar connections, switchgear, transformers, and circuit breakers. This service can save your business time and money by allowing you to schedule maintenance and avoid unplanned downtime. Many business insurance policies require annual testing or offer premium savings for businesses that do so.

Power Quality How much power does your facility need? What quality of voltage does your electric system use throughout the day? How susceptible is your equipment to power disturbances? We can monitor your electrical system for power quality issues and provide customized recommendations that can improve the reliability of production processes at your facility.

Power Factor Power Factor measures how efficiently a building uses power. It is the ratio of “Real Power” (kW used) to “Apparent Power” (kVA), which is the total amount of electricity a utility must provide. A power factor of 1 is 100% efficient, and a power factor of .70 is quite inefficient. An electric motor running with no load has little or no demand for real power; MVEC, however, has to supply much more current to the motor than is theoretically required, due to the “Reactive Power” (kV) required to create the magnetic fields within the coiled wire inside the motor. This will result in a low Power Factor which can result in additional charges on your electric bill. Please contact MVEC for assistance with your Power Factor questions.