MnSEIA works each legislative session to move Minnesota's solar + storage industry forward. This year, MnSEIA is pushing an industry-wide agenda with over 72 bills and provisions to advance the industry and lay the groundwork for long-term legislative success. Below is a summary of our 2023 legislative priorities that we will advance with our members, partners, and by working with all lawmakers.
Community Solar Garden Modernization
Minnesota’s community solar garden (CSG) program, started by state legislation in 2013, has created over 860 Megawatts of solar in the state and thousands of jobs. Minnesota ranked 1st in the nation for the largest CSG program for years, but due to outdated rules and gridlocked negotiations, we’ve fallen behind. We aim to update Minnesota’s community solar garden program by:
- Removing arbitrary contiguous county geographic restriction
- Increasing project size from 1 to 5 megawatts
- Improving residential access and diversifying subscribers to solar gardens.
Improve Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection Process
Interconnection delays are a top concern for MnSEIA members. MnSEIA is working to improve timeline delays and streamline processes by requiring utilities to make investments in substations, transformers, and other DG infrastructure.
This will improve the overall resiliency and reliability of the grid to withstand weather events and our infamous winters - keeping the lights on for Minnesotans.
Energy Storage
Minnesota has untapped potential for an extensive energy storage market, which will in turn support the clean energy transition and more solar deployment. MnSEIA wants to expand Minnesota’s energy storage industry by:
- Requiring and incentivizing the deployment of storage projects
- Establishing a goal of 3,100 megawatts of storage by 2035
- Directing the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to clarify interconnection rules for storage to encourage market growth.
Expanding the Minnesota energy storage market will attract more storage companies to do business in the state - creating jobs, local economic investments, and a stronger grid.
Advance Residential and Small-Scale Commercial & Industrial Solar
The small-scale distributed generation (DG) solar market is an important component of creating a more reliable, resilient, and secure grid. Funding core programs like:
- Solar for Schools program to decrease energy costs for schools across Minnesota
- Solar on Public Buildings to lower energy bills for local & tribal governments
- Solar*Rewards program provides a financial incentive for Xcel customers to install solar
- Residential Solar Tax Credit to lower the cost for the average Minnesotan to install solar and storage at their home
MnSEIA also aims to prevent Homeowners' Associations from banning solar outright on single-family homes so more homeowners can access the benefits of solar - saving money on their electric bills and increasing their home values.
These initiatives will help build our 21st century grid while supporting Minnesota businesses, growing jobs, and meeting the demands of Minnesotans.
Develop Mid-Scale Solar Market
The mid-scale (5-10 megawatt) segment of the solar industry in Minnesota is currently an untapped market ripe for investment. Establishing the rules for the DG market will help expand opportunities for solar businesses to thrive in the state.
Clarify Net Metering Rules
Solar deployment in Greater Minnesota is plagued by a patchwork of differing interpretations of federal and state net-metering laws. Amending certain statutes to expressly require utilities to follow federal law and allow for standard dispute resolution processes will help further deployment of solar across Minnesota.
About MnSEIA: The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), a 501(c)6 nonprofit, promotes and protects Minnesota’s solar and storage industries. Representing over 140 businesses, we advocate for solar and storage with key local and state officials in a unified and actionable way.
MnSEIA's ambitious legislative agenda would not be possible without the support of our members - thank you! Stay up-to-date with our work throughout the Legislative Session by following us on Twitter.
Questions? Email MnSEIA's Executive Director, Logan O'Grady.
