Minnesota Statutes 216E.021 – Solar Energy System Size Determination
(a) This section must be used to determine whether a combination of solar energy generating systems meets the definition of large electric power generating plant and is subject to the commission’s siting authority jurisdiction under this chapter. The alternating current nameplate capacity of one solar energy generating system must be combined with the alternating current nameplate capacity of any other solar energy generating system that:
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 216E.021
- Chair: includes chairman, chairwoman, and chairperson. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Commission: means the Public Utilities Commission. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Large electric power generating plant: shall mean electric power generating equipment and associated facilities designed for or capable of operation at a capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Solar energy generating system: means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to produce electricity by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy, and may include transmission lines designed for and capable of operating at 100 kilovolts or less that interconnect a solar energy generating system with a high-voltage transmission line. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
(1) is constructed within the same 12-month period as the solar energy generating system; and
(2) exhibits characteristics of being a single development, including but not limited to ownership structure, an umbrella sales arrangement, shared interconnection, revenue sharing arrangements, and common debt or equity financing.
(b) The commissioner of commerce shall provide forms and assistance for applicants to make a request for a size determination. Upon written request of an applicant, the commissioner shall provide a written size determination within 30 days of receipt of the request and of any information requested by the commissioner. In the case of a dispute, the chair of the Public Utilities Commission shall make the final size determination.