new text begin [216C.375] SOLAR FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM.
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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 and section 216C.376,
the following terms have the meanings given them.
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new text begin (b) "Developer" means an entity that installs a solar energy system on a school building
that has been awarded a grant under this section.
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new text begin (c) "Photovoltaic device" has the meaning given in section 216C.06, subdivision 16.
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new text begin (d) "School" means a school that operates as part of an independent or special school
district.
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new text begin (e) "School district" means an independent or special school district.
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new text begin (f) "Solar energy system" means photovoltaic or solar thermal devices.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin A solar for schools program is established in the
Department of Commerce. The purpose of the program is to provide grants to stimulate the
installation of solar energy systems on or adjacent to school buildings by reducing the cost,
and to enable schools to use the solar energy system as a teaching tool that can be integrated
into the school's curriculum.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Establishment of account. new text end

new text begin (a) A solar for schools program account is
established in the special revenue fund. Money received from the general fund must be
transferred to the commissioner of commerce and credited to the account. Money deposited
in the account remains in the account until expended, and does not cancel to the general
fund.
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new text begin (b) When a grant is awarded under this section, the commissioner must reserve the grant
amount in the account.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expenditures. new text end

new text begin (a) Money in the account may be used only:
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new text begin (1) for grant awards made under this section; and
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new text begin (2) to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the department to administer this section.
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new text begin (b) Grant awards made with funds in the account must be used only for grants for solar
energy systems installed on or adjacent to school buildings receiving retail electric service
from a utility that is not subject to section 116C.779, subdivision 1.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Eligible system. new text end

new text begin (a) A grant may be awarded to a school under this section
only if the solar energy system that is the subject of the grant:
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new text begin (1) is installed on or adjacent to the school building that consumes the electricity generated
by the solar energy system, on property within the service territory of the utility currently
providing electric service to the school building; and
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new text begin (2) has a capacity that does not exceed the lesser of 40 kilowatts or 120 percent of the
estimated annual electricity consumption of the school building at which the solar energy
system is installed.
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new text begin (b) A school district that receives a rebate or other financial incentive under section
216B.241 for a solar energy system and that demonstrates considerable need for financial
assistance, as determined by the commissioner, is eligible for a grant under this section for
the same solar energy system.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must issue a request for proposals
to utilities, schools, and developers who may wish to apply for a grant under this section
on behalf of a school.
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new text begin (b) A utility or developer must submit an application to the commissioner on behalf of
a school on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The form must include, at a minimum,
the following information:
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new text begin (1) the capacity of the proposed solar energy system and the amount of electricity that
is expected to be generated;
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new text begin (2) the current energy demand of the school building on which the solar energy generating
system is to be installed, and information regarding any distributed energy resource, including
subscription to a community solar garden, that currently provides electricity to the school
building;
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new text begin (3) a description of any solar thermal devices proposed as part of the solar energy system;
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new text begin (4) the total cost to purchase and install the solar energy system and the solar energy
system's life-cycle cost, including removal and disposal at the end of the system's life;
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new text begin (5) a copy of the proposed contract agreement between the school and the public utility
or developer that includes provisions addressing responsibility for maintenance of the solar
energy system;
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new text begin (6) the school's plan to make the solar energy system serve as a visible learning tool for
students, teachers, and visitors to the school, including how the solar energy system may
be integrated into the school's curriculum;
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new text begin (7) information that demonstrates the school district's level of need for financial assistance
available under this section;
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new text begin (8) information that demonstrates the school's readiness to implement the project,
including but not limited to the availability of the site on which the solar energy system is
to be installed, and the level of the school's engagement with the utility providing electric
service to the school building on which the solar energy system is to be installed on issues
relevant to the implementation of the project, including metering and other issues;
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new text begin (9) with respect to the installation and operation of the solar energy system, the
willingness and ability of the developer or the public utility to:
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new text begin (i) pay employees and contractors a prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42,
subdivision 6; and
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new text begin (ii) adhere to the provisions of section 177.43;
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new text begin (10) how the developer or public utility plans to reduce the school's initial capital expense
to purchase and install the solar energy system, and to provide financial benefits to the
school from the utilization of federal and state tax credits, utility incentives, and other
financial incentives; and
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new text begin (11) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner must administer an open application process under this section
at least twice annually.
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new text begin (d) The commissioner must develop administrative procedures governing the application
and grant award process.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Energy conservation review. new text end

new text begin At the commissioner's request, a school awarded
a grant under this section shall provide the commissioner information regarding energy
conservation measures implemented at the school building at which the solar energy system
is installed. The commissioner may make recommendations to the school regarding
cost-effective conservation measures it can implement and may provide technical assistance
and direct the school to available financial assistance programs.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Technical assistance. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must provide technical assistance to
schools to develop and execute projects under this section.
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new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

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