new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The terms used in sections 216C.251 to 216C.255 have the
meanings given them in section 216C.01 and this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible photovoltaic device. new text end

new text begin "Eligible photovoltaic device" means a
photovoltaic device with a nameplate value between 0.5 and 40 kilowatts (kW) total
electrical output whose panels have a 20-year warranty from the manufacturer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible solar thermal system. new text end

new text begin "Eligible solar thermal system" means a
solar thermal system with an array of between 32 and 3,200 square feet whose collectors
have been certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Photovoltaic device. new text end

new text begin "Photovoltaic device" has the meaning given in
section 216C.06, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Solar thermal system. new text end

new text begin "Solar thermal system" means a flat plate or
evacuated tube with a fixed orientation that collects the sun's radiant energy and transfers
it to a storage medium for distribution as energy for heating and cooling.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Wind energy conversion system. new text end

new text begin "Wind energy conversion system" has
the meaning given in section 216C.06, subdivision 19.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Surcharge. new text end

new text begin Beginning with the first billing cycle of January 2008,
each utility selling electricity at retail to customers in Minnesota must include a surcharge
of ten cents on each customer's monthly bill, except for customers exempted under
subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Collection and payment. new text end

new text begin Each utility subject to the surcharge must
collect the surcharge established in subdivision 1. Surcharges are payable to and must
be submitted to the commissioner monthly, before the 25th of each month following
the month of collection.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Exemptions. new text end

new text begin A customer is exempt from the surcharge established in
subdivision 1 if the customer:
new text end

new text begin (1) generates electricity through a photovoltaic device or wind energy conversion
system with a nameplate capacity of one-half kilowatt or greater;
new text end

new text begin (2) purchases 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) or more of electricity monthly under
section 216B.169;
new text end

new text begin (3) produces a monthly average of 50 kWh or more of electricity through an eligible
technology, as defined in section 216B.1691, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), that has been
certified by the commissioner as carbon-neutral or carbon-negative; or
new text end

new text begin (4) received fuel assistance during the preceding fiscal year from the federal Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin Rebates may be paid to applicants installing eligible
photovoltaic devices or eligible solar thermal systems after January 1, 2008, on a residence
or business owned by the applicant or a business for which the applicant is the legal agent
regarding physical modifications, provided that the application meets the specifications in
this section and has been approved by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) A person seeking a rebate under this section must submit
an application to the commissioner on a form determined by the commissioner. The
commissioner must review each application to determine:
new text end

new text begin (1) whether the application is complete;
new text end

new text begin (2) whether the project is eligible for a rebate;
new text end

new text begin (3) whether the system has been installed by a certified installer; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the amount of the rebate for which the project is eligible.
new text end

new text begin (b) Applications may be filed with the department beginning January 1, 2008. An
applicant who received a rebate under this section may file another application for a rebate
in a subsequent fiscal year provided that the cumulative electrical output for a photovoltaic
device does not exceed ten kW total output and the cumulative array for a solar thermal
system does not exceed 800 square feet.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Amount of rebate. new text end

new text begin (a) For an eligible photovoltaic device, the rebate
amount is $2 per watt of rated output, up to ten kW of nameplate value. The commissioner
may approve a rebate up to $2.50 per watt of rated output for a photovoltaic device
installed by an installer who is certified to install solar photovoltaic devices by the
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or has equivalent training and
certification as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) For an eligible solar thermal system, the rebate amount is $25 per square foot
of array area, up to a maximum of 800 square feet. The commissioner may approve
a rebate up to $31 per square foot of array for a solar thermal system installed by an
installer who is certified to install solar thermal systems by the North American Board of
Certified Energy Practitioners, or has equivalent training and certification as determined
by the commissioner.
new text end