HF 3033

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/17/2010 04:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing rebate program for solar photovoltaic modules;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin REBATES FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purpose of this section, the following terms
have the meaning given.
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new text begin (a) "Installation" means an array of solar photovoltaic modules attached to a building
that will use the electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic modules or placed on a
facility or property proximate to that building.
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new text begin (b) "Manufactured" means the material production of solar photovoltaic modules,
including the tabbing, stringing, and lamination processes.
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new text begin (c) "Qualified owner" means an owner of a residence, multifamily residence,
business, or publicly owned building located in Minnesota, but does not include an entity
engaged in the business of generating or selling electricity at retail, or an unregulated
subsidiary of such an entity.
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new text begin (d) "Solar photovoltaic module" means the smallest, nondivisible, self-contained
physical structure housing interconnected photovoltaic cells and providing a single direct
current of electrical output.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce shall establish a
program to provide rebates to a qualified owner for installing solar photovoltaic modules
manufactured in Minnesota after December 31, 2009.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rebate eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a rebate under this section, a
solar module:
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new text begin (1) must be manufactured in Minnesota;
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new text begin (2) must be installed as part of a system whose generating capacity does not exceed
250 kilowatts;
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new text begin (3) must be certified by Underwriters Laboratory, or must have received the ETL
listed mark from Intertek, or must have an equivalent certification from an independent
testing agency;
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new text begin (4) may or may not be connected to a utility grid; and
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new text begin (5) must be installed by a person certified as a solar photovoltaic installer by the
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
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new text begin (b) To be eligible for a rebate under this section, an applicant must present evidence
to the commissioner of commerce that the applicant has applied for a rebate or other
form of financial assistance available exclusively to owners of properties on which solar
photovoltaic modules are installed that is offered by:
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new text begin (1) the utility serving the property on which the solar photovoltaic modules are to
be installed; or
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new text begin (2) this state, under an authority other than this section.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Rebate amount and payment. new text end

new text begin (a) The amount of a rebate under this
section is the difference between the sum of all rebates described in subdivision 2,
paragraph (b), awarded to the applicant and $5 per watt of installed generating capacity.
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new text begin (b) Rebates must be awarded to eligible applicants beginning July 1, 2010.
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new text begin (c) The rebate must be paid out proportionately in five consecutive annual
installments.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) Beginning July 1, 2010, and continuing each July 1 through 2014, the utility
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, shall transfer $5,000,000 from
the account established under that section to the commissioner of commerce. The
commissioner of commerce must place the funds in the special revenue fund.
new text end

new text begin (b) $5,000,000 is appropriated annually in fiscal years 2011 through 2015 from the
special revenue fund to the commissioner of commerce for awarding rebates for solar
photovoltaic modules as specified in section 1. This appropriation does not cancel, and
remains available until the money is expended.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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