1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; amending definition of "qualifying solar electric project" to 
1.3 	include energy storage equipment and to include installation in publicly owned 
1.4 	buildings;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.2411, subdivision 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this 
1.9 	subdivision and section 216B.241, subdivision 1, have the meanings given them. 
1.10 	(b) "Eligible renewable energy sources" means fuels and technologies to generate 
1.11 	electricity through the use of any of the resources listed in section 216B.1691, subdivision 
1.12 	1, paragraph (a), except that the incineration of wastewater sludge is not an eligible 
1.13 	renewable energy source, "biomass" has the meaning provided under paragraph (c), and 
1.14 	"solar" must be from a qualified solar energy project as defined in paragraph (d). 
1.15 	(c) "Biomass" includes: 
1.16 	(1) methane or other combustible gases derived from the processing of plant or 
1.17 	animal material; 
1.18 	(2) alternative fuels derived from soybean and other agricultural plant oils or animal 
1.19 	fats; 
1.20 	(3) combustion of barley hulls, corn, soy-based products, or other agricultural 
1.21 	products; 
1.22 	(4) wood residue from the wood products industry in Minnesota or other wood 
1.23 	products such as short-rotation woody or fibrous agricultural crops; 
1.24 	(5) landfill gas;
2.1 	(6) the predominantly organic components of wastewater effluent, sludge, or related 
2.2 	byproducts from publicly owned treatment works; and 
2.3 	(7) mixed municipal solid waste, and refuse-derived fuel from mixed municipal 
2.4 	solid waste. 
2.5 	(d) "Qualifying solar energy project" means a qualifying solar thermal project or 
2.6 	qualifying solar electric project. 
2.7 	(e) "Qualifying solar thermal project" means a flat plate or evacuated tube that meets 
2.8 	the requirements of section 216C.25 with a fixed orientation that collects the sun's radiant 
2.9 	energy and transfers it to a storage medium for distribution as energy to heat or cool air or 
2.10 	water, but does not include equipment used to heat water at a residential property (1) for 
2.11 	domestic use if less than one-half of the energy used for that purpose is derived from the 
2.12 	sun or (2) for use in a hot tub or swimming pool. 
2.13 	(f) "Qualifying solar electric project" means solar electric equipment that meets 
2.14 	the requirements of section 216C.25 and includes, if applicable, related on-site energy 
2.15 	storage equipment, with a total peak generating capacity of 100 kilowatts or less used 
2.16 	for generating electricity primarily for use in a residential property or small business, 
2.17 	commercial, or publicly owned building to reduce the effective electric load for that 
2.18 	residence or small business building. 
2.19 	(g) "Residential property building" means the principal residence of a homeowner at 
2.20 	the time the solar equipment is placed in service. 
2.21 	(h) "Small business" has the meaning given to it in section 645.445. 

2.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.