Solar Electric Rebate Program 110802025911 Rebate Instructions

Solar Electric Rebate Program Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2198 (651) 282-5091 y FAX (651) 297-7891 y TTY (651) 297-7891 www.energy.mn.gov

Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program. The information you need to apply for a solar rebate is attached. Additionally, you may also want to reference our Renewable Energy Contractors list available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security (OES) website before interviewing solar installers. See www.energy.mn.gov and click on “Solar * .” Here are the basic steps to help you determine if a solar electric system is right for you: 1. The Minnesota Department of Commerce recommends having a home energy audit prior to installing a solar electric system. Energy efficiency and conservation are the first steps in any successful energy improvement plan. The less energy you use, the farther your renewable energy generation will go. You may contact your electric utility to request an energy audit. Alternatively, the Minnesota Building Performance Association website offers a list of home performance consultants. See http://www.mbpa.us/ and click on ‘Find a Consultant.’ The cost for an energy audit varies depending on the depth of analysis. Ideally, the energy audit should include an electrical inventory and provide a written report with specific steps for reducing your electricity load. Even with the rebate program benefits, the cost of solar electricity is expensive so you will want to be sure that your household or business is as efficient as possible before going solar. 2. Complete a site assessment. The best way to find out whether you have a good location for a solar energy system is to have a professional site assessment. A site assessment will provide information about the suitability of your site for solar and the best place to locate and orient your system. A site assessment will also evaluate the solar resource available at your location and offer recommendations on solar applications that are appropriate for your site. This is a critical step for anyone considering either solar electricity or solar water heating. Please note that it is customary for solar contractors to charge a fee to perform a site assessment. You should only need one, even if soliciting two bids. This is a good time to contact your utility to learn about interconnection. Each utility may have slightly different procedures and requirements. In particular, you should ask about any fees associated with interconnection and net metering. 3. Secure financing. There are several ways to fund your solar electric system including a home equity loan, mortgage refinancing, or a capital improvement loan. In addition to the $2,000/kW rebate to assist with the cost of the system, the state of Minnesota offers: ƒ Property tax exemption for solar energy systems, so your new system will not increase your property tax bill; *

Not all installers listed in the Renewable Energy Contractors list are eligible to participate in the Solar Electric Rebate Program. See page 3 of the application for a list of criteria. OES does not endorse installers included in this list.

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A state sales tax exemption for solar equipment; and Eligibility for net metering for up to 40 kW of generation capacity. This means that your utility will credit your bill at retail rate for any excess electricity generated by your renewable energy system.

Additional incentives may be available through federal tax incentives and/or your electric utility. For an updated list of federal, state, and utility incentives visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website at http://www.dsireusa.org/ . 4. Choose an installer. Choosing a solar installer who provides comprehensive design, equipment, and installation services is an important step. It is best to obtain two or three estimates before hiring an installer. An estimate should include the cost of hardware, shipping, installation, connection to the utility grid, and travel. It is customary for installers to offer bids that are good for a period of two –weeks due to volatility in solar panel availability and pricing. A good contractor will acquire permits, assist with rebate forms, and obtain an approved utility interconnection agreement for you. Be sure to verify that the installer you choose is eligible to participate in this program. See page 3 of the application in this package for the criteria. The North American Board of Electrical Practitioners (NABCEP) offers nationally recognized certification for solar professionals. This certification ensures that a solar contractor has obtained a minimum level of experience, training, and knowledge. See http://www.nabcep.org/ for a list of NABCEP certified solar PV installers. Applications received after July 1, 2008 is eligible for $2.25 per watt for projects lead by a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer. Please note that the Department of Labor and Industry advises homeowners to avoid contractors who ask you as the client to pull the necessary building and electrical permits. Call (651) 284-5069 to speak with a building contractor investigator if you have questions about who should pull permits. 5. Apply for a rebate. To apply for rebate money form the Solar Electric Rebate Program, submit a completed application to: Solar Electric Rebate Program Minnesota Office of Energy Security 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2198 FAX 651.297.7891 [email protected] You have 12 months from the date of Rebate Confirmation to complete the system. When the installation is done and you have a utility interconnection agreement, you may submit a Rebate Claim form to the above address. You should receive payment within 30 days. 6. Congratulations! You are now generating your own electricity and helping to protect Minnesota’s environment.

Thank you for your interest in solar! Stacy Miller Solar Rebate Program Manager

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Installing a solar electric system requires an advanced understanding of proper electricity and building practices. Your local electric utility and local building officials (where necessary) will need to approve the installation before you can receive the rebate. A publication on how to hire a solar installer and a list of Minnesota solar installers is available if you haven’t already received one.

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STEPS TO RECEIVING THE SOLAR ELECTRIC REBATE

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HIRING AN INSTALLER 1. Educate yourself about the basics of solar electricity. Contact a solar electric installer to discuss a solar electric installation on your property. Select a solar electric installer that you feel comfortable working with. (See publication Hiring a Renewable Energy Contractor at www.energy.mn.gov) 2. Make sure your solar installer is working with your electric utility on the interconnection agreement and local officials on any applicable building and installation codes. 3. Select a solar electric system with your solar installer that meets the program’s requirements and your project goals. 4. Make a copy of your rebate application materials for your own files and mail or deliver the originals to: Solar Electric Rebate Program Minnesota State Energy Office 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul, MN 55101-2198 IMPORTANT: Do not install any equipment before receiving a Rebate Confirmation Form in the mail indicating that your application has been approved. Failure to comply with any specification at any point in the rebate process may disqualify you from receiving a rebate. 5. Have the solar electric system installed and then approved by any applicable local building officials and your electric utility. 6. Photocopy and submit your rebate claim materials to the Solar Electric Rebate Program. If everything is complete, you will receive a rebate check within 30 days. IMPORTANT: The system needs to be completed and approved by the electric utility no later than 12 months from receipt of the Rebate Confirmation Form. Rebate extensions may be made on a case-by-case basis and must be requested at least five business days prior to the expiration date.

Rebate Checklist: 1. Rebate Application Form 2. Evidence of Intent 3. Photos of proposed installation site -A panoramic photo or series of photos from 90° to 270° -A photo of the proposed installation site 4. Solar shading analysis diagram 5. End User Agreement

The Office of energy Security’s web site has a solar information page with information and web links that may prove useful to you in your efforts to install a solar electric system:http://www.energy.mn.gov, then click on “Solar” 7/08-Page 1

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Eligible Participants

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The Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security administers a rebate program for grid-connected solar electric installations. The program offers a rebate of $2,000/kW (combined DC power rating of all solar panels in the system). Systems installed by a NABCEP-certified solar PV installer will be eligible for $2,250/kW.*

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SOLAR ELECTRIC REBATE PROGRAM DETAILS

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Any grid connected Minnesota electricity customer, except electric or natural gas utilities and their subsidiaries. The subject property must be within Minnesota borders.

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System additions are eligible and participants from the previous Solar Electric Rebate Program may apply under the new program guidelines. However, the cumulative rebate request for both programs must not exceed 10 kW.

Program Details New systems with a capacity of between 0.5 kilowatt minimum and 10 kilowatts maximum are eligible for rebate at the rate of $2 per watt (combined DC power rating of all solar panels). Systems completed by a NABCEP-certified installer will be awarded at the rate of $2.25 per watt. A maximum of 10 kW cumulative per participant will be awarded. Participants must submit a Rebate Application Form and materials to reserve a rebate before any installation work is done. Rebate applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis as postmarked or delivered, until the total rebate budget for the program has been expended. Applications that are mailed to the Department will be time stamped as having been submitted at 4:00 on the date of postmark. Participants have 12 months from the receipt of the Rebate Confirmation Form to install their solar electric system and have it approved by their electric utility (required) and local code officials (if necessary). The completed Rebate Application must be submitted with the following items: • • •

A signed contract and evidence of a $500 or greater down payment on services from a solar electric contractor OR application for utility interconnection; A site assessment completed by a professional solar site assessor or solar contractor that indicates that the site qualifies under program guidelines; and Site photos as described with program guidelines.

Net rebate amount will not exceed total amount of installation including federal tax credits, state rebates, utility rebates or other rebates. Rebates can be claimed by submitting the Rebate Claim Form and the appropriate documentation within twelve months of receiving the Rebate Confirmation Form. Rebate recipients must consent to allowing their electric utility to supply the Office of Energy Security with documentation of the electricity generated by the solar electric system. (See the End User Agreement.) The total funding for this program is $1,200,000 with the first $500,000 available July 1, 2007. The remaining funds will be available on July 1, 2008 until expended. Residential solar domestic hot water is also an eligible technology for this funding as of July 1, 2008. See www.energy.mn.gov for Solar Hot Water Rebate information. No installation work should be done before receiving the Rebate Confirmation Form. Failure to adhere to this requirement may void the rebate.

Rebate Application Form Changes: • • •

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Major changes, such as change of purchaser, location, or increases in system size, require reapplication or prior written approval. Decreases in the size of the solar system do not require prior approval, but must be documented on the Rebate Claim Form and supporting materials. Requests for extension of the rebate expiration date must be done in writing. Incomplete applications will be returned.

funded by Xcel Energy’s Renewable Development Fund and administered by the Office of Energy Security.

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Eligible Equipment 1. All of the major system components including panels and inverter must be new. 2. Photovoltaic panels must come with a 20-year or greater manufacturer’s warranty and must be certified as meeting the most current edition of Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1703 (UL1703).(As of June 2007 the current edition of UL 1703, the Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels is Third Edition, Revised June 30, 2004.) 3. All grid-tied, sine-wave inverters must be certified as meeting the current edition of Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1741 (UL1741), come with a minimum two-year manufacturer’s warranty, AND offer the purchaser the option to extend the warranty to at least five years. It is up to the owner’s discretion whether to extend the warranty. (As of June 2007 the most current edition of UL1741, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, is First Edition, Revised November 7, 2005.) 4. The rebate cannot be used in combination with the purchase of equipment that has or will receive other Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund support.

Installation Requirements 1. Installations are subject to the requirements and provisions of Minnesota statute (216B.164), Minnesota rules (Chapter 7835), the National Electrical Code Article 690, and electric utility requirements. 2. Installations must follow all applicable building and zoning codes. 3. Fixed- and manual-tilt installations should have an azimuth (direction the solar panels are facing) within 45° of due south (180° is due south). 4. Fixed-tilt installations should have a solar panel tilt angle between 20 and 60 degrees. 5. Participants must demonstrate that the system will not be shaded by buildings, trees, electricity poles, towers, chimneys, etc. using a shading analysis tool and site photos. a. Participants are responsible for ensuring an accurate representation of the site. b. Installations should be free of shading at all times of the year within a degree range of +/- 45° of the azimuth. c. The Program Administrator reserves the right to reject any application if the installation site is compromised by shading from nearby objects. 6. Installations must be performed by professional installers in order to qualify for a rebate. All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician working for a licensed contractor. Solar Contractor qualifications NABCEP certified PV Installer

Rebate amount through June 30, 2008 $2 per watt

Rebate amount after July 1, 2008 $2.25 per watt

Professional Engineer, Licensed $2 per watt Electrical Contractor, or Licensed General Contractor with 2 solar PV installations of at least 0.5 kW in previous 12 months

$2 per watt

Other Installers

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$2 per watt

7. The installer must provide information to the participant about operation and performance considerations relating to shading, snow cover, and maintenance of the system.

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How to fill out the site diagram A site diagram is a drawing of your solar installation’s location and nearby objects that might shade the system. It is designed to help interpret the pictures you include with the application form.

Top-View Diagram (see diagram on page 5) 1. Draw the proposed location of the solar panels using the appropriate symbols. 2. Determine the direction the solar panels will face using a compass. 3. Draw any objects that are taller than the solar panel’s location and may block the sun either during the day and/or the year using the appropriate symbols. a) You do not need to draw objects that are located behind the solar panels unless they reach over the top of the solar panels, such as a tree branch. b) Estimate the appropriate width at the widest point of each object. c) Measure and make note of the distance from the solar panels to each object. Indicate on diagram.

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Hint: A compass will come in handy.

Sketch in the orientation of the panels and obstructions.

degrees (180° is due south.

What azimuth angle will the solar panels face?

Definitions: AC – alternating electrical current (grid electricity) Anti-islanding test – a utility engineer will test your completed system for safety before your interconnection contract is processed Azimuth – the direction in degrees your solar panels will face (due south is 180 degrees). For the purpose of this repabe, this angle must be between 135° and 225.° Building code – check with your city and/or county offices to see if a permit for the solar installation is necessary DC – direct electrical current (solar panel or battery electricity) DC rating – solar panel capacity, measured in watts End-User Agreement – agreement between applicant and the Office of Energy Security to provide data collection on the electricity produced by the solar system Evidence of Intent – evidence that you are serious about participating in the solar rebate program; $500 down or interconnection agreement Grid connected – you purchase electricity from an electric utility Interconnection contract – a contract with the electric utility to let you sell electricity back to them; Minnesota IOUs and Coops must use standard state contract (MN Rule 7835.9910 www.leg.state.mn.us) Interconnection guidelines – safety and technical requirements for your solar installation Inverter – converts DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity that is compatible with the electricity grid Kilowatt (kW) – 1000 watts (ten 100 watt solar panels = 1 kilowatt) Minnesota Rule Chapter 7835 – Minnesota’s net metering rules (www.leg.state.mn.us) Minnesota Statute 216B.164 – Minnesota’s net metering statute (www.leg.state.mn.us) National Electrical Code Article 690 – national electrical safety standards for photovoltaic systems established by the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) Solar panel warranty – solar panels in the rebate program must have a 20 year or greater warranty Photovoltaic – technical term for solar electricity Renewable Development Fund (RDF) – an Xcel Energy fund for renewable energy which funds the solar rebate program Solar Electric Rebate Application Form – the form you send to apply for a photovoltaic system Rebate Claim Form – a form to receive your rebate once your solar installation is complete (sent with Confirmation Form) Rebate Confirmation Form – the form you receive once you are approved for a rebate; work must not begin until you receive this form Rebate queue – the order in which approved rebates are reserved and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis if funds become limited Site diagram – diagram sent with the Rebate Application Form that shows objects that might cast a shadow on your solar panels; diagram should include distances Site pictures – pictures of the place you intend to install the solar panels AND panoramic images from East to West Solar electric system – the complete solar system capable of producing grid compatible electricity Solar panel rating – see DC rating Shading Analysis Tool – a device used to accurately chart the total shading at a specific location. (Pathfinder, Suneye, ASSET or other comparable brand are acceptable.) System rating – the sum of all of the solar panels to be used in the system (# of solar panels x DC rating of solar panels) Tilt angle – the angle from horizontal at which the solar panels are positioned if they do not have tracking capabilities Tracking – an additional solar system component that actively moves the solar panels to face the sun as it moves across the sky during the day and/or season

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Select one: Residential Business Site Address if different:

Name Organization

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APPLICANT

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MINNESOTA SOLAR ELECTRIC REBATE APPLICATION

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Mailing Address City, State, Zip Phone E-mail

Electric Utility Account #

SOLAR INSTALLER After July 1, 2008, the solar installer must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible to install under this program.

Name Mailing Address

Lead installer NABCEP Solar PV certificate #

City, State, Zip Phone

A licensed general contractor or licensed electrician with at least 2 PV installations in previous 12 months license #

E-mail

A professional engineer with at least 2 PV installations in the previous 12 months # All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician working for a licensed electrical contractor Electrician License #

INSTALLATION INFORMATION Solar Panel Manufacturer

Inverter Manufacturer

Solar Panel Model #

Inverter Model #

• Number of panels • Panel rating

• Inverter Rating watts

• System rating (sum of solar panels) • Panel warranty

kW years

• Tilt of panels (if fixed)

degrees

kW

• Warranty System type (circle one) Location (circle one) Azimuth (orientation)

years Fixed

Single Axis Roof

Dual Axis Ground degrees

DECLARATION The undersigned warrants, certifies and represents that: (1) the information provided in this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge; and (2) the installation will meet all Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program requirements.

SIGNATURE Signature

Applicant

Print Name

Signature

Solar Installer

Print Name

Date

Date For Office Use Only Date Application Received:

Application #:

Date of Approval Letter

Rebate Amount $

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I. I agree to provide the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security (OES) with solar electricity generation data from my solar system for a period of four years, to the extent it is available either through annual inverter or separate meter readings.

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Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program

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END-USER AGREEMENT

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II. I agree to provide OES access to the proposed solar installation site for the purpose of conducting a site audit. The results of the audit may be used to verify the data submitted in a Solar Electric Rebate Application and to determine eligibility. III. If necessary, I agree to provide OES with access to any photovoltaic hardware and related components on my property as is necessary for the completion of ongoing research related to the Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program. Access will be scheduled with the applicant at least fifteen working days in advance. IV. If necessary, I agree to allow OES and its contractors or subcontractors to install electricity data collection devices on my property so that information from my solar electric energy system may be retrieved and included in research being conducted by OES. I understand that data collected from the photovoltaic system on the property may be made available to the public. Access will be scheduled with the applicant at least fifteen working days in advance. V. I authorize my electric utility to release data related to the amount of electricity produced by the rebated solar electric installation. Print Name Signature Date Electric Utility Electric Utility Account #

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