Notice of Request for Information: Community Solar Garden Study ? Deadline Extended

New Deadline: April 19, 2024

During the 2023 Legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature made changes to the Community Solar Garden statute (Minn. Stat. 216B.1641). These legislative updates include sunsetting the ?Legacy? program operated by Xcel Energy and establishing a new program to be administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department).

That bill included a provision requiring the Department to contract with a third party to study the new Low and Moderate-Income Accessible Community Solar Garden Program (LMI-Accessible CSG Program) overseen by the Department. The study will conclude with a report to the legislature that includes:

1. A comparison of the program with similar programs operated in other jurisdictions, including a comparison of program structure, the manner in which applications are submitted and reviewed, how related infrastructure upgrades are prioritized and funded, and how regulations and penalties are structured.
2. An analysis of the cost to ratepayers of operating the community solar garden program and a comparison with the cost to ratepayers of other potential options for encouraging adoption of solar electricity generation in this state.
3. An analysis of how the community solar program impacts interconnection and infrastructure upgrade needs and challenges.

The Department is now seeking input to inform the solicitation and hiring of a third party to study the LMI-Accessible CSG Program. We invite community partners, contractors, technical experts, developers, and the public to provide input to inform the Request for Proposals.

This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or obligation on the part of Minnesota Department of Commerce to provide funding. All comments received, including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Respondents should only submit information they wish to make publicly available and should not enclose any information considered confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.

Submit written feedback on this form by Friday, April 19, 2024.