Compared to other states, Minnesota ranks near the bottom in solar photovoltaic adoption. But it’s not for lack of supply—Minnesota’s solar potential exceeds that of well-established solar markets like Germany, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It is also not for lack of demand. Our annual solar incentive programs are fully subscribed within months, and Minnesota ratepayers lead the nation in voluntary green-power purchasing.

Minnesota has more than 500 cities and towns, more than 150 electric utilities, and countless housing associations. Each has a unique set of rules for rooftop solar, many of which are unnecessarily restrictive. Third-party developers, owners, and financiers are mostly steering clear of regulatory complexity and uncertainty. Property owners going it alone face steep learning curves and long timelines.

With partial funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge, the Minnesota Solar Challenge will:

Identify solar-friendly improvements to state regulations and utility interconnection procedures.

Identify key policy changes necessary to enable large-scale, low-hassle, low-cost solar financing.

Develop solar zoning and land-use planning standards for adoption by Minnesota cities and towns.

Disseminate this collection of best practices through a final report to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, stakeholder workshops, and webinars.