MnSEIA engages on a variety of regulatory proceedings at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to ensure solar and storage policies are correctly implemented and upheld. Our year-round regulatory work ensures a strong solar and storage market in the state and collaboration between our members and state agencies.

MnSEIA staff appreciates member input on our regulatory comments. Before any comments are drafted, members are able attend a comment drafting meeting to express their opinions. Staff then will draft the comments with ample opportunity for additional member input. If you’d like to participate in any regulatory matter, please email info@mnseia.org.

To learn more about MnSEIA's policy work, check out our webpage here. To see the working groups we're involved in, click here.

This page is a living resource and will be updated regularly. Search the full e-dockets here.

Community Solar Gardens: Docket 13-867

MnSEIA was instrumental in creating Minnesota's nation-leading community solar garden program in 2013, and has continued to protect and bolster the industry since. The dockets below created the CSG program, and enhance it each year. Learn more here.

Xcel Energy's CSG Program Creation: Docket 13-867

 

Residential Adder: Docket 13-867

The Residential Adder is a measure that implements an "adder" to the credit on residential solar customers' utility bills from their subscriptions. This program has helped significantly grow the residential community solar industry in Minnesota, and MnSEIA helps recalculate or reaffirm the rate with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission every few years.

 

Retroactive Change to Applicable Retail Rate Proposal

MnSEIA, CCSA, US Solar, Cooperative Energy Futures, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Vote Solar, and Novel Energy Solutions filed Reply Comments opposing Xcel’s proposal to retroactively change the way that the applicable retail rate (“ARR”) is determined. This would reduce the amount paid to ARR Community Solar Garden subscribers because of legal and factual issues with the proposal.

 

Third Party Billing Changes: Docket 13-867/21-695

MnSEIA and The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) filed joint comments in 2021 for a proposed change to Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program. The modification would have made it more difficult for renters to subscribe to community solar gardens that their apartment building purchased or participated in. 

 

Value of Solar: Docket 13-867

In 2013, MnSEIA played an instrumental role in the passage of the “Value of Solar,” (VOS) a first-of-its-kind rate designed to be equivalent to the direct benefit that a solar facility provides the utility, its ratepayers, and society generally. The Minnesota PUC calculates the VOS each year based on eight different components, and MnSEIA represents the solar industry to ensure the VOS is accurately calculated. Learn more about the Value of Solar here.

COVID-19 Relief: Docket 20-492

During the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, PUC Commissioner Sullivan requested that Minnesota's rate regulated utilities offer ideas for COVID economic relief and recovery. Many utilities, including Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power, stepped up and offered to expedite the installation of planned utility-scale solar investments. MnSEIA supported these commitments for the many jobs, economic development, and solar that would be created across the state. Read MnSEIA's full press release on these announcements here.

DG Tariff: Docket 16-521

Distributed Generation (DG) solar projects subject to the DG Tariff are classified as projects in the 1-10 MW size range. This is a promising market for Minnesota that would boost resiliency of the electrical grid and open up more opportunities for solar. MnSEIA has made it a goal to improve the current regulatory framework to spur this promising market. Learn more about the DG tariff here.

Interconnection Standards: Docket 16-521

MnSEIA has advocated for the solar industry at the PUC to develop the Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process (MN DIP.) Interconnection standards are a "living document' and need to be revised over time, and MnSEIA will continue to advocate for our members. Learn more about MnSEIA's work here.

MN Power Expedited Projects: Docket 20-828

In 2020, the PUC asked Minnesota's rate regulated utilities to offer ideas for COVID economic recovery. Many utilities, including Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power, stepped up and offered to expedite the installation of planned utility-scale solar investments. Minnesota Power's economic recovery project for roughly 20 MWs of solar was filed in Docket 20-828, which MnSEIA supported. Read MnSEIA's full press release on the economic recovery efforts here.

Planned Outages: Docket 13-867

Few things are as frustrating to a Community Solar Garden owner or operator as a garden going offline with little notice. MnSEIA has worked to mitigate the impacts of planned outages on a case-by-case basis but is also working on a regulatory level towards a systemic fix to prevent outage crises in the future. Learn more about our planned outages work here.

PV Demand Credit Rider/Solar Capacity Credit: Dockets 15-115/13-115

MnSEIA has negotiated with Xcel Energy, the Department of Commerce, and other stakeholders to develop and continuously improve a "Capacity Credit" that later became the "PV Demand Credit Rider." The PV Demand Credit offers Commercial and Industrial solar developers a special rate if they undergo demand-response curtailment during peak demand periods. This credit has created many megawatts of C&I solar projects in Minnesota—a market that MnSEIA is always looking to help grow. Learn more here.

SolarSense: Docket 16-485/20-607

Minnesota Power's SolarSense program has helped spur a burgeoning solar industry in Northern Minnesota. It includes incentives for residential solar installations, a Low Income Solar Grant program, and an education program. MnSEIA has supported extending and expanding the program so more Minnesota Power customers can access clean energy.

Third-Party Aggregators of Retail Customers: Docket 22-600

MnSEIA supports allowing third-party aggregators of retail customers (ARCs) to bid demand response into organized markets. Fast-acting, flexible resources will become increasingly important to ensure a reliable and resilient grid. MnSEIA opposes continuing to allow electric utility monopolies to control demand response because they are not incentivized to maximize its potential. A competitive marketplace would likely promote innovation and lower energy costs to ratepayers.

Xcel Energy Grid Security Report re: HCR Docket: 20-800

MnSEIA has been involved, with our partners, at the PUC to ask utilities to provide data to developers in a more timely and efficient manner. Solar developers need access to current and accurate data about the distribution system to ensure that they are able to interconnect projects to the grid. MnSEIA worked collaboratively with Xcel Energy to find solutions that work better for all parties.

Xcel Energy's Interconnection Cost Sharing Proposal: Docket 18-714

Necessary upgrade costs to facilitate interconnection can be prohibitively expensive for many developers and homeowners. MnSEIA has helped create a permanent fund for those expenses in Xcel Energy territory to improve the interconnection process so more Minnesotans can go solar.

Xcel Energy's Resiliency Service Program: Docket 22-170

Xcel Energy proposed a new Resiliency Service Program to enter the behind-the-meter energy storage market. MnSEIA filed comments to advocate for a competitive marketplace for our members. 

Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards for Schools: Docket 21-718

After four years of lobbying at the State Capitol, MnSEIA and our partners successfully passed legislation to create a Solar for Schools program in Minnesota. MnSEIA has since been very involved in the implementation of this program at the regulatory level. The energy costs for public school campuses is the second-highest cost for districts, after payroll. This program will help create jobs, clean energy, and STEM learning opportunities across the state. Learn more about the program here.

Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Program: Docket 13-1015

Solar*Rewards is an important part of the rooftop solar landscape in Minnesota. MnSEIA keeps regular tabs on the success of the program, and has consistently advocated for it at the legislature. On occasion, major programmatic changes require MnSEIA regulatory input on behalf of the sector.

Xcel Energy's QSP: Docket 12-383

The Quality of Service Plan (QSP) tariff for Xcel Energy created a one million dollar penalty for the utility's underperformance in customer service. Compliance with this tariff is overseen by Minnesota's Public Utility Commission, and MnSEIA acts on behalf of our members to see that this tariff is enforced.

This page is a living resource and will be updated regularly. Search the full e-dockets here.

Thank you to our members who support MnSEIA's year-round regulatory work. To learn more about our policy work, check out our webpage here. To see the working groups we're involved in, click here.

Curtis Zaun, MnSEIA

 

 

Questions? Email MnSEIA's Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Curtis Zaun at czaun@mnseia.org.

Solar on Schools in Minnesota, Winona State University, McKinstry - MnSEIA
Image Courtesy of McKinstry