HF 1420

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/25/2015 12:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; providing factors to be considered in approving solar
photovoltaic modules for a public utility solar project; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin PUBLIC UTILITY SOLAR PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section: (1) "project" means a public utility solar project
for an investor-owned utility, in partnership with the Minnesota Army National Guard,
consisting of arrays of solar photovoltaic modules with a capacity of up to ten megawatts
located at a military and civilian training facility in Morrison County; and (2) "utility"
means the public utility in whose service territory a project is located.
new text end

new text begin (b) A utility must obtain approval from the Public Utilities Commission for the solar
photovoltaic modules to be installed at a project. In approving modules, the commission
may consider module performance, taking into account additional factors beyond a
calculation of lowest cost. The additional factors to be considered by the commission
include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the local economic benefits derived from the purchase and use of modules
manufactured in-state;
new text end

new text begin (2) the manufacturer's and suppliers' total combined experience as supported by
evidence of years of solar manufacturing experience, manufacturing certifications,
component sourcing criteria, testing, and number of years of actual field experience;
new text end

new text begin (3) the projected performance of the solar modules over an expected life of 30
years or more as supported by product design, third-party lab testing, and manufacturers
and component suppliers' field experience;
new text end

new text begin (4) the projected durability, safety, and reliability of the solar modules over an
expected life of 30 years or more, as supported by product design, third-party lab testing,
and manufacturers' and component suppliers' field experience;
new text end

new text begin (5) a minimum ten-year solar module workmanship warranty and 30-year solar
module power warranty, with a minimum warranted power performance of 80 percent in
year 30;
new text end

new text begin (6) whether the solar modules comply with the "Made in USA" standard established
by the United States Federal Trade Commission because all or virtually all of the product's
significant parts and processing are of United States origin; and
new text end

new text begin (7) a third-party certification supporting the environmental sustainability of module
component sources and manufacturing processes.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the Public
Utilities Commission for costs associated with the evaluation required for a public utility
solar project under section 1.
new text end