HF2317 Summary

• Establishes a public buildings solar account in the special revenue fund to fund incentive payments for solar photovoltaic installations on state and local government buildings in the Prairie Island nuclear plant utility service area.

• Appropriates $10,900,000 annually beginning January 1, 2013, from the renewable development account, minus any renewable energy production incentive payments made in the previous year.

• Provides tiered incentive payments of 23-27 cents per kilowatt of electricity generated, based on system capacity, with 7% annual reductions for projects starting after 2013, paid for 20 years.

• Requires applicants to demonstrate energy efficiency through prior program participation, B3 benchmarking showing 0.75 or lower consumption ratio, or sustainable building standards for new construction.

• Mandates solar equipment certification, professional installation review, and utility grid connection to purchase excess electricity, with new owners required to re-qualify if building ownership changes.