This bill proposes significant changes to Minnesota's energy policy by repealing the renewable development account and establishing a solar energy production incentive program, which will be managed by utilities until December 31, 2025. The legislation allocates a total of $42.5 million for solar energy production incentives from 2021 to 2025 and creates a new solar energy production incentive account within the special revenue fund, managed by the commissioner of commerce. It also appropriates $5 million from the general fund for solar incentives in fiscal year 2026 and mandates the refunding of any remaining funds in the renewable development account to utility customers as of the bill's effective date.

In addition to the solar incentives, the bill amends several sections of Minnesota Statutes to remove references to the repealed renewable development account and establish new management structures for solar energy incentives. It outlines criteria for determining the combined nameplate capacity of wind energy conversion systems under common ownership and details the ownership and financing requirements for qualifying facilities to receive incentive payments. The bill aims to promote renewable energy development while ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, with provisions for grant contracts, an advisory group for fund oversight, and a rebate program for solar photovoltaic modules manufactured in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 116C.7792, 116J.55, 216B.1645, 216C.377, 216C.417, 216C.412