1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; appropriating money for grants to install solar energy projects 
1.3 	in public buildings.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
 1.6 	(a) Of the funds available to the Department of Commerce from federal stimulus 
1.7 	funding for energy programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
1.8 	2009, Public Law 111-5, $5,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce 
1.9 	for grants to local units of government to pay the costs of installing solar energy projects 
1.10 	to generate energy used in public buildings. In awarding grants, the commissioner must 
1.11 	determine, at a minimum, the following:
1.12 	(1) that the physical condition of the building is sufficient to support the efficient 
1.13 	operation of the solar energy project;
1.14 	(2) that there is no significant possibility that the building may close within ten 
1.15 	years; and
1.16 	(3) that the projected cumulative energy savings exceed the grant amount and the 
1.17 	corresponding debt service within 15 years for a qualifying solar thermal project, and 
1.18 	within 20 years for a photovoltaic device.
1.19 	(b) For the purposes of this section:
1.20 	(1) "public building" means any publicly owned building, pool, sports arena, or other 
1.21 	facility of a county, city, or other local unit of government; and
1.22 	(2)  "solar energy" means:
1.23 	(i) a photovoltaic device, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06, 
1.24 	subdivision 16; or
2.1 	(ii) a qualifying thermal project, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.2 	216B.2411, subdivision 2, which includes modifications made to a distribution system to 
2.3 	distribute heating or cooling throughout a building.

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