HF 257 Summary

• Utilities must provide customers' electricity usage data within 10 days of request when the data is relevant to interconnecting a qualifying facility, including monthly usage, time-of-use periods, and demand charge information.

• Private entities cannot prohibit or restrict installation, maintenance, or use of roof-mounted solar energy systems on single-family dwellings, notwithstanding any deed covenants, homeowners association documents, or other property restrictions.

• Private entities may require licensed contractor installation, restrict solar panels from extending above roof peaks, require indemnification and insurance provisions, and impose other reasonable restrictions that do not decrease projected energy generation by more than 20 percent or increase costs by more than 20 percent for solar water heaters or $2,000 for solar photovoltaic systems.

• Solar energy system approval applications must be processed like architectural modifications and are deemed approved if not denied in writing within 60 days, unless the private entity requests additional information within 15 business days.

• Amendments to Minnesota Statutes chapters 515 and 515B require that apartment building declarations, bylaws, and homeowners association documents comply with the new solar energy system protections.