Within days of its open on December 12, 2014, Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Community Solar Garden (CSG) Program had well over 300 MW worth of CSG applications submitted and by this writing nearly 430 MW. The rush of significant application creates a question of “who’s in line first?” That was the question before the Minnesota Public
To Need or Not to Need, that is the Question: MN PUC Answers in the Affirmative
On Monday, the MN PUC addressed whether ‘tis nobler in the pocketbook to suffer the slings and arrows of the MISO market or to invest in new generating units against a sea of uncertainty.
As we noted in prior blogs, the MN PUC initiated the competitive process seeking bids to meet a claimed capacity
Xcel Announces Launch Date for its Community Solar Garden Program
Xcel announced this morning that it plans to open its Community Solar Garden program next Friday, December 12, 2014 at 9:00 AM CST. In its filing, the company attempts to clarify the “first-ready, first-served” application process it plans to follow. The company explains that Garden operators can view a time stamp marking when the application
Energizing Discussion at Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Offices
I had the honor this morning to feature on a panel of experts convened by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal to discuss the topic of ”The Future of Energy.”
Moderated by John Kearney of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, the panel included Kenneth Smith, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy, Ken Bradley,
Minnesota Can Reliably Integrate 40% Renewables According to DOC Transmission Study
Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce issued its highly anticipated Minnesota Renewable Energy Integration and Transmission Study, which indicated that the “capacity for adding additional wind and solar up to 40% by 2030 can be reliably accommodated by the electric power system” (DOC press release here). The study stated that with relatively modest
California’s New Streamlined #Solar Permitting Law Goes into Effect
Over the weekend, California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 2188, which is designed to streamline the permitting process for small rooftop solar systems. The new law seeks to give California’s Million Solar Roofs target a boost by establishing a state wide “modernized and standardized permitting process.” The new law amends Section 714 of the
Minnesota Community Solar Garden Program Approved, Set to Open
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission today issued its long-awaited Order approving (with modifications) Xcel Energy’s Community Solar Garden (CSG) Program – Solar Rewards*Community. The Order starts the clock for the program to open no later than 90 days from issuance of the Order (mid-December) and officially plows the furrow for community solar projects in Minnesota. It is not, however, clear that Xcel Energy will have the luxury of using the full 90 days for opening its CSG program- the Minnesota CSG Statute requires Xcel Energy to begin crediting subscriber accounts for each CSG within 180 days of the CSG plan’s approval. Stay tuned for additional details.
Our prior blogs provide more details on the program. We review the details of the Order below.
Application: Once applicants file their applications and deposits, Xcel has 30 days to confirm the application is complete and then another 60 days to accept or reject the application. Applicants initially need to include:
- Contact information,
- Garden information including system location and specifications,
- Application fee ($1,200) and deposit ($100/kW)
- Engineering documents, including one-line diagrams, site plan, and Interconnection Application
Applicants will have a full 24 months from Xcel’s completeness determination to complete the project and comply with several additional requirements including: proof of site control, adequate insurance, projection of subscriptions, and signed interconnection and CSG agreements.
Continue Reading Minnesota Community Solar Garden Program Approved, Set to Open
SDG&E Issues Max 800 MW All-Source RFO, with caveat
We recently learned that San Diego Gas and Electric has issued a 2014 All Source Request for Offers (RFO).
The RFO requests offers for up to 800 MW from the following resources:
- Energy Efficiency (EE)
- Demand Response (DR)
- Renewables
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Energy Storage
- Conventional
- Distributed Generation (DG)
The RFO is authorized by
Renewable + Law Blog Launches New Responsive Design and Enhanced Reader Features
Dear Renewable + Law Blog readers. Chances are you’ve noticed our new – and improved – appearance. We first launched our blog in 2008, pledging to keep you updated on major policy and legal developments impacting the renewable energy industry. That commitment hasn’t changed, but technology certainly has. It was still a desktop- and RSS-dominated
Value-of-Solar is Delayed; Minnesota Community Solar Gardens Move Forward
Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”) approved Xcel Energy’s first Minnesota-based Community Solar Garden (CSG) program. After Xcel’s initial program filing was rejected by the MPUC in April, Xcel filed a revised CSG tariff with the MPUC in June. In a related filing, Xcel also argued that a value of solar (“VOS”) rate for