1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; establishing rebate program for solar photovoltaic modules; 
1.3 	appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. REBATES FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms 
1.7 	have the meaning given.
1.8 	(a) "Installation" means an array of solar photovoltaic modules attached to a building 
1.9 	that will use the electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic modules or placed on a 
1.10 	facility or property proximate to that building.
1.11 	(b) "Manufactured" means the material production of solar photovoltaic modules, 
1.12 	including the tabbing, stringing, and lamination processes.
1.13 	(c) "Qualified owner" means an owner of a residence, multifamily residence, 
1.14 	business, or publicly owned building located in Minnesota, but does not include an entity 
1.15 	engaged in the business of generating or selling electricity at retail, or an unregulated 
1.16 	subsidiary of such an entity.
1.17 	(d) "Solar photovoltaic module" means the smallest, nondivisible, self-contained 
1.18 	physical structure housing interconnected photovoltaic cells and providing a single direct 
1.19 	current of electrical output.
1.20 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner of commerce shall establish a 
1.21 	program to provide rebates to a qualified owner for installing solar photovoltaic modules 
1.22 	manufactured in Minnesota after December 31, 2009.
1.23 		Subd. 3.Rebate eligibility. (a) To be eligible for a rebate under this section, a 
1.24 	solar module:
2.1 	(1) must be manufactured in Minnesota;
2.2 	(2) must be installed as part of a system whose generating capacity does not exceed 
2.3 	250 kilowatts;
2.4 	(3) must be certified by Underwriters Laboratory, or must have received the ETL 
2.5 	listed mark from Intertek, or must have an equivalent certification from an independent 
2.6 	testing agency;
2.7 	(4) may or may not be connected to a utility grid; and
2.8 	(5) must be installed by a person certified as a solar photovoltaic installer by the 
2.9 	North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
2.10 	(b) To be eligible for a rebate under this section, an applicant must present evidence 
2.11 	to the commissioner of commerce that the applicant has applied for a rebate or other 
2.12 	form of financial assistance available exclusively to owners of properties on which solar 
2.13 	photovoltaic modules are installed that is offered by:
2.14 	(1) the utility serving the property on which the solar photovoltaic modules are to 
2.15 	be installed; or
2.16 	(2) this state, under an authority other than this section.
2.17 		Subd. 4.Rebate amount and payment. (a) The amount of a rebate under this 
2.18 	section is the difference between the sum of all rebates described in subdivision 2, 
2.19 	paragraph (b), awarded to the applicant and $5 per watt of installed generating capacity.
2.20 	(b) Rebates must be awarded to eligible applicants beginning July 1, 2010.
2.21 	(c) The rebate must be paid out proportionately in five consecutive annual 
2.22 	installments.

2.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.24 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.25 	(a) Beginning July 1, 2010, and continuing each July 1 through 2014, the utility 
2.26 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, shall transfer $5,000,000 from 
2.27 	the account established under that section to the commissioner of commerce. The 
2.28 	commissioner of commerce must place the funds in the special revenue fund.
2.29 	(b) $5,000,000 is appropriated annually in fiscal years 2011 through 2015 from the 
2.30 	special revenue fund to the commissioner of commerce for awarding rebates for solar 
2.31 	photovoltaic modules as specified in section 1. This appropriation does not cancel, and 
2.32 	remains available until the money is expended.

2.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.