MN SF1424

Establishes a grant program under the Department of Commerce to award grants to independent and special school districts for design, purchase, and installation of solar energy systems on school buildings.

Grants may cover up to 95 percent of system costs, with solar capacity limited to 300 kilowatts and systems must be placed on, adjacent to, or in proximity to the school building using the electricity.

Creates two reserve accounts: Account 1 funded from the renewable development account for schools receiving retail electric service from utilities subject to section 116C.779; Account 2 funded from the general fund for schools receiving service from other utilities.

School districts ineligible if they receive rebates or other financial incentives under section 116C.7792 or from any utility for the same solar energy system; grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with geographic distribution prioritized throughout the state.

Appropriates $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 from the renewable development account to the Department of Commerce, with an unspecified amount from the general fund allocated to reserve account 2; allows school districts to issue debt to cover their cost share.