1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; renewables; modifying requirements for solar energy in state 
1.3 	buildings;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16B.323.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16B.323, is amended to read:
1.6 	16B.323 SOLAR ENERGY IN STATE BUILDINGS.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms 
1.8 	have the meanings given.
1.9 	(b) "Made in Minnesota" means the manufacture in this state of:
1.10 	(i) components of a solar thermal system certified by the Solar Rating and 
1.11 	Certification Corporation; or
1.12 	(ii) solar photovoltaic modules that:
1.13 	(1) are manufactured at a manufacturing facility in Minnesota that is registered and 
1.14 	authorized to manufacture those solar photovoltaic modules by Underwriters Laboratory, 
1.15 	CSA International, Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency;
1.16 	(2) bear certification marks from Underwriters Laboratory, CSA International, 
1.17 	Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency; and
1.18 	(3) meet the requirements of section 116C.7791, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), 
1.19 	clauses (1), (5), and (6).
1.20 	For the purposes of clause (ii), "manufactured" has the meaning given in section 
1.21 	116C.7791, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), ~~clauses~~ clause (1) ~~and~~ or (2). The solar 
1.22 	photovoltaic module must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified under UL1703 or 
1.23 	its equivalent, and must be manufactured and assembled within Minnesota at a UL1703 
1.24 	certified or equivalent manufacturing facility.
2.1 	(c) "Major renovation" means a substantial addition to an existing building, or a 
2.2 	substantial change to the interior configuration or the energy system of an existing building.
2.3 	(d) "Solar energy system" means solar photovoltaic modules alone or installed in 
2.4 	conjunction with a solar thermal system.
2.5 	(e) "Solar photovoltaic module" has the meaning given in section 116C.7791, 
2.6 	subdivision 1, paragraph (e).
2.7 	(f) "Solar thermal system" has the meaning given "qualifying solar thermal project" 
2.8 	in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).
2.9 	(g) "State building" means a building whose construction or renovation is paid 
2.10 	wholly or in part by the state from the bond proceeds fund.
2.11 		Subd. 2.Solar energy system. (a) As provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a project 
2.12 	for the construction or major renovation of a state building~~, after the completion of a~~ 
2.13 	~~cost-benefit analysis, may~~ shall include installation of "Made in Minnesota" solar energy 
2.14 	systems of up to 40 kilowatts capacity on, adjacent, or in proximity to the state building.
2.15 	(b) The capacity of a solar system must be ~~less than~~ sized up to 40 kilowatts to ~~the~~ 
2.16 	~~extent necessary to~~ match the electrical load of the building ~~or to the extent necessary to~~ 
2.17 	~~keep the costs for the installation below~~, and can exceed the five percent maximum set by 
2.18 	paragraph (c) to the extent the system leverages other sources of funding.
2.19 	(c) The cost of the solar system ~~must not~~ may exceed five percent of the 
2.20 	appropriations from the bond proceeds fund for the construction or renovation of the state 
2.21 	building. Purchase and installation of a solar thermal system may account for no more 
2.22 	than 25 percent of the cost of a solar system installation.
2.23 	(d) A project subject to this section is ineligible to receive a rebate for the installation 
2.24 	of a solar energy system under section 116C.7791 or from any utility.
2.25 	(e) The commissioner must establish objective criteria for awarding the solar energy 
2.26 	system. Criteria used must include the system's estimated life-cycle cost per kilowatt-hour 
2.27 	generated, a UL1703 or equivalent fire safety rating, and the degree to which the system 
2.28 	incorporates innovative features included for reasons other than electric generation, such 
2.29 	as integration into design of a building or protection of the structure or shelter.