SF 4774

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/26/2026 09:09 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to energy; defining portable solar generation device; exempting portable
solar generation devices from interconnection and net metering requirements;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 216B.164, subdivision 2a, by adding
a subdivision; 326B.38, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.164, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Definitions.

(a) For deleted text begin the deleted text end purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given deleted text begin them deleted text end .

(b) "Aggregated meter" means a meter located on the premises of a customer's owned
or leased property that is contiguous with property containing the customer's designated
meter.

(c) "Capacity" means the number of megawatts alternating current (AC) at the point of
interconnection between a distributed generation facility and a utility's electric system.

(d) "Cogeneration" means a combined process whereby electrical and useful thermal
energy are produced simultaneously.

(e) "Contiguous property" means property owned or leased by the customer sharing a
common border, without regard to interruptions in contiguity caused by easements, public
thoroughfares, transportation rights-of-way, or utility rights-of-way.

(f) "Customer" means the person who is named on the utility electric bill for the premises.

(g) "Designated meter" means a meter that is physically attached to the customer's facility
that the customer-generator designates as the first meter to which net metered credits are
to be applied as the primary meter for billing purposes when the customer is serviced by
more than one meter.

(h) "Distributed generation" means a facility that:

(1) has a capacity deleted text begin of deleted text end new text begin that is greater than 1,200 watts but less than new text end ten megawatts deleted text begin or less deleted text end ;

(2) is interconnected with a utility's distribution system, over which the commission has
jurisdiction; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(3) generates electricity from natural gas, renewable fuel, or a similarly clean fuel, and
may include waste heat, cogeneration, or fuel cell technology deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (4) is not a portable solar generation device.
new text end

(i) "High-efficiency distributed generation" means a distributed energy facility that has
a minimum efficiency of 40 percent, as calculated under section 272.0211, subdivision 1.

(j) "Net metered facility" means an electric generation facility constructed for the purpose
of offsetting energy use through the use of renewable energy or high-efficiency distributed
generation sources.

new text begin (k) "Portable solar generation device" means a moveable photovoltaic generation device
that:
new text end

new text begin (1) has a maximum power output that does not exceed 1,200 watts;
new text end

new text begin (2) is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard
120-volt alternating current outlet;
new text end

new text begin (3) is primarily intended to offset part of the customer's electricity consumption;
new text end

new text begin (4) includes a device or feature that prevents the system from energizing the building's
electrical system during a power outage;
new text end

new text begin (5) meets the standards provided under the most recent version of the National Electric
Code; and
new text end

new text begin (6) is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
new text end

deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end "Renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (l) deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end "Standby charge" means a charge imposed by an electric utility upon a distributed
generation facility for the recovery of costs for the provision of standby services, as provided
for in a utility's tariffs approved by the commission, necessary to make electricity service
available to the distributed generation facility.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.164, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Exemptions. new text end

new text begin (a) A portable solar generation device is exempt from:
new text end

new text begin (1) the interconnection requirements under this section; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the net metering requirements under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) A utility is prohibited from requiring a customer using a portable solar generation
device to:
new text end

new text begin (1) obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the portable solar generation
device;
new text end

new text begin (2) pay a fee or charge related to the portable solar generation device; or
new text end

new text begin (3) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable
solar generation device.
new text end

new text begin (c) A utility is not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation
device.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.38, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Portable photovoltaic generation devices. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section,
"portable photovoltaic generation device" has the meaning given in section 216B.164,
subdivision 2a, paragraph (k).
new text end

new text begin (b) Sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 do not apply to planning, laying out, installing, and
repairing a portable photovoltaic generation device. Sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 apply
to installing electrical wiring to the portable photovoltaic generation device.
new text end