Minnesota Legislature
HF 567
1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 06:54pm
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A bill for an act
relating to energy; renewables; modifying requirements for solar energy in state
buildings; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16B.323.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16B.323, is amended to read:
16B.323 SOLAR ENERGY IN STATE BUILDINGS.
Subdivision 1.
Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given.
(b) "Made in Minnesota" means the manufacture in this state of:
(i) components of a solar thermal system certified by the Solar Rating and
Certification Corporation; or
(ii) solar photovoltaic modules that:
(1) are manufactured at a manufacturing facility in Minnesota that is registered and
authorized to manufacture those solar photovoltaic modules by Underwriters Laboratory,
CSA International, Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency;
(2) bear certification marks from Underwriters Laboratory, CSA International,
Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency; and
(3) meet the requirements of section 116C.7791, subdivision 3, paragraph (a),
clauses (1), (5), and (6).
For the purposes of clause (ii), "manufactured" has the meaning given in section
116C.7791, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), deleted text begin clausesdeleted text end new text begin clausenew text end (1) deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ornew text end (2).new text begin The solar
photovoltaic module must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified under UL1703 or
its equivalent, and must be manufactured and assembled within Minnesota at a UL1703
certified or equivalent manufacturing facility.
new text end
(c) "Major renovation" means a substantial addition to an existing building, or a
substantial change to the interior configuration or the energy system of an existing building.
(d) "Solar energy system" means solar photovoltaic modules alone or installed in
conjunction with a solar thermal system.
(e) "Solar photovoltaic module" has the meaning given in section 116C.7791,
subdivision 1, paragraph (e).
(f) "Solar thermal system" has the meaning given "qualifying solar thermal project"
in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).
(g) "State building" means a building whose construction or renovation is paid
wholly or in part by the state from the bond proceeds fund.
Subd. 2.
Solar energy system.
(a) As provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a project
for the construction or major renovation of a state buildingdeleted text begin , after the completion of a
cost-benefit analysis, maydeleted text end new text begin shallnew text end include installation of "Made in Minnesota" solar energy
systems of new text begin up to new text end 40 kilowatts capacity on, adjacent, or in proximity to the state building.
(b) The capacity of a solar system must be deleted text begin less thandeleted text end new text begin sized up tonew text end 40 kilowatts to deleted text begin the
extent necessary todeleted text end match the electrical load of the building deleted text begin or to the extent necessary to
keep the costs for the installation belowdeleted text end new text begin , and can exceednew text end the five percent maximum set by
paragraph (c)new text begin to the extent the system leverages other sources of fundingnew text end .
(c) The cost of the solar system deleted text begin must notdeleted text end new text begin maynew text end exceed five percent of the
appropriations from the bond proceeds fund for the construction or renovation of the state
building. Purchase and installation of a solar thermal system may account for no more
than 25 percent of the cost of a solar system installation.
(d) A project subject to this section is ineligible to receive a rebate for the installation
of a solar energy system under section 116C.7791 or from any utility.
new text begin
(e) The commissioner must establish objective criteria for awarding the solar energy
system. Criteria used must include the system's estimated life-cycle cost per kilowatt-hour
generated, a UL1703 or equivalent fire safety rating, additional integrated safety features,
and the degree to which the system incorporates innovative features included for reasons
other than electric generation, such as integration into design of a building or protection
of the structure or shelter.
new text end