1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; requiring the Public Utilities Commission to analyze 
1.3 	distributed solar generation.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTED 
1.6 	SOLAR GENERATION.
 1.7 	The Public Utilities Commission shall open a public docket for the purpose of 
1.8 	analyzing the costs and benefits in Minnesota of distributed solar generation and strategies 
1.9 	to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs. The analysis of distributed solar 
1.10 	generation must include, without limitation, the following:
1.11 	(1) its use to address transmission constraints and strategies to optimize that use;
1.12 	(2) its affect on grid reliability and strategies to improve that affect;
1.13 	(3) cost-effective strategies for deployment;
1.14 	(4) appropriate sizing of solar projects and economies of scale;
1.15 	(5) the cost-effectiveness of competing solar technologies and trends for that 
1.16 	cost-effectiveness;
1.17 	(6) comprehensive assessments of its direct and indirect costs and benefits;
1.18 	(7) comparison of its costs and benefits to the cost and benefits of other strategies to 
1.19 	meet the state's electric generation needs; and
1.20 	(8) the effect of a comparable expenditure on energy conservation on both the 
1.21 	demand and supply side.
1.22 	The commission shall report the results of its analysis along with any 
1.23 	recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
2.1 	with primary jurisdiction over energy issues by January 15, 2014. The commission shall 
2.2 	cooperate with any similar activities engaged in by the Legislative Energy Commission.

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