SF 1726

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:23am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; appropriating money for grants to install solar energy projects
in public buildings.

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

Section 1. SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

(a) Of the funds available to the Department of Commerce from federal stimulus
funding for energy programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009, Public Law 111-5, $5,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce
for grants to local units of government to pay the costs of installing solar energy projects
to generate energy used in public buildings. In awarding grants, the commissioner must
determine, at a minimum, the following:

(1) that the physical condition of the building is sufficient to support the efficient
operation of the solar energy project;

(2) that there is no significant possibility that the building may close within ten
years; and

(3) that the projected cumulative energy savings exceed the grant amount and the
corresponding debt service within 15 years for a qualifying solar thermal project, and
within 20 years for a photovoltaic device.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "public building" means any publicly owned building, pool, sports arena, or other
facility of a county, city, or other local unit of government; and

(2) "solar energy" means:

(i) a photovoltaic device, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06,
subdivision 16; or

(ii) a qualifying thermal project, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.2411, subdivision 2, which includes modifications made to a distribution system to
distribute heating or cooling throughout a building.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.