SF 1174

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/21/2017 08:51am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing a rebate program for certain energy technologies;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
216C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.418] ENERGY STORAGE, SOLAR THERMAL, WIND, AND
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEM REBATE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
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new text begin (b) "Eligible energy technology" means an energy technology eligible to receive a rebate
under this section.
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new text begin (c) "Energy storage system" means a technology that stores up to 40 kilowatts of
previously generated electricity and releases the electricity for use at a later time.
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new text begin (d) "Geothermal heat pump" means a technology consisting of:
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new text begin (1) a ground heat exchanger comprised of a system of underground pipes containing a
circulating liquid that absorbs and releases heat from the ground;
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new text begin (2) a heat pump that transfers heat between the ground and a building interior; and
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new text begin (3) an air delivery system that delivers heat throughout a building's interior rooms.
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new text begin (e) "Solar thermal system" means a flat plate or evacuated tube meeting the requirements
of section 216C.25 with a fixed orientation that collects the sun's radiant energy and transfers
it to a storage medium for distribution as energy to heat or cool (1) air, or (2) water in a
water heater.
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new text begin (f) "Wind energy conversion system" has the meaning given in section 216C.06,
subdivision 19, except that the wind energy conversion system must have a capacity no
greater than 40 kilowatts. If the wind energy conversion system's capacity is less than 25
kilowatts, an applicable accredited certification body must certify the system meets the
American Wind Energy Association's Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard,
AWEA Standard 9.1-2009, or the most recent successor to that standard.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce must establish a program to
provide rebates to applicants who own energy storage systems, wind energy conversion
systems, geothermal heat pumps, or solar thermal systems installed at residential, agricultural,
commercial, and industrial properties in Minnesota after the effective date of this act.
Applications for a rebate under this section must be sent to the commissioner on a form
developed by the commissioner. The commissioner must develop administrative procedures
governing the application and rebate award process. The commissioner must review
applications and award rebates on a first-come, first-served basis.
new text end

new text begin (b) The applicant must be the owner of the eligible energy system but need not be the
owner of the property on which the eligible energy system is installed. Rebates are assignable
by the applicant.
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new text begin (c) An applicant is ineligible to receive a rebate under this section if the applicant receives
a rebate or incentive for the same eligible energy technology installed on the same property
under section 116C.7792, 216C.415, or 216C.416, or from the utility that provides energy
services to the property on which the eligible energy technology is installed.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Geothermal heat pump; application. new text end

new text begin An application for a rebate for a
geothermal heat pump under this section must, at a minimum, contain evidence that the
geothermal heat pump:
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new text begin (1) is a closed-loop system;
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new text begin (2) includes both air cooling and heating applications; and
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new text begin (3) has a coefficient of performance and an energy efficiency ratio that meet the minimum
standards set by the commissioner.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Rebate amounts. new text end

new text begin (a) For a geothermal heat pump, the rebate amount is the
lesser of $20,000 or 20 percent of the installation and equipment cost.
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new text begin (b) For an energy storage system, the rebate amount is the lesser of $25,000 or 30 percent
of the installation and equipment cost.
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new text begin (c) For a solar thermal system, the rebate amount is the lesser of 25 percent of the installed
cost of a complete system or:
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new text begin (1) $2,500 for a single-family residential dwelling installation;
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new text begin (2) $5,000 for a multiple-family residential dwelling installation; or
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new text begin (3) $25,000 for an agricultural, commercial, or industrial installation.
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new text begin (d) For a wind energy conversion system, the rebate amount is the lesser of $25,000 or
30 percent of the installation and equipment cost.
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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 $....... in fiscal year 2018 and $....... in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of commerce to pay for rebates awarded to owners of eligible
energy technologies under section 1.
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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