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Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program <br />Commerce is here to help <br />energy.info@state.mn.us <br />mn.gov/commerce <br />651-539-1886 | 1-800-657-3710 (Greater MN) <br />Background <br />The Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program is a 10- <br />year program that supports the manufacture, sale and <br />installation of Minnesota-made solar electric (PV) and <br />solar thermal systems for eligible Minnesota residents, <br />businesses and communities. The program, which <br />supports a limited number of solar projects each year, <br />is financed from Xcel Energy’s Renewable Development <br />Fund and a portion of each public utility’s required <br />spending on conservation improvement. <br />A solar PV system owner receives an annual payment for <br />10 years based on the system’s electricity production. A <br />solar thermal system owner receives a one-time rebate <br />up to 25% of the installed cost. <br />Results <br />Since 2014, the Made in Minnesota program has helped <br />drive growth of the rooftop solar market statewide – <br />contributing to a reduction of over 50% in small-scale <br />solar electric installation costs while creating new clean <br />energy jobs and expanding opportunities for Minnesota <br />businesses, especially small businesses. <br />Growing Minnesota Jobs <br />• The number of solar jobs in Minnesota more than <br />doubled between 2013 and 2015 (Solar Foundation, <br />2015 Minnesota Solar Jobs Census). <br />• The Made in Minnesota program has created an <br />estimated 495 new jobs since 2013, with an additional <br />1,485 new jobs anticipated by 2023 with continued <br />investment in the program (based on a national research <br />evaluation of the job creation potential of solar). <br />• The number of Made in Minnesota-certified <br />manufacturers has increased from two in 2013 to five in <br />2017. One of these manufacturers (tenKsolar) has grown <br />from about 25 employees in 2014 to 125 employees <br />today. <br />• An estimated 500 Minnesota companies, mostly <br />small businesses, are involved in solar manufacturing, <br />sales, distribution and installation. <br />Growing Minnesota’s Solar Capacity <br />• 1,105 solar projects were supported by Made in <br />Minnesota in its first three years, representing more <br />than 15 megawatts in new solar power. This is more <br />than the state’s total installed solar capacity in 2013. <br />• By 2023, Made in Minnesota has the potential to <br />support 4,200 additional solar projects, providing more <br />than 45 megawatts of new energy capacity. <br />• The energy generated each year from Made in <br />Minnesota’s 2014-2016 projects is equivalent to that <br />used by 1,856 Minnesota homes. By 2023, the energy <br />generated from Made in Minnesota projects will be <br />equivalent to that used by nearly 10,000 homes. <br />• With continued investment, the Made in Minnesota <br />program will support, on average, the completion of <br />three new solar electric projects every working day for <br />the next seven years. <br />For More Information <br />Alison Groebner, Director of Government Relations <br />alison.groebner@state.mn.us | 651-539-1444 <br />“Without Made in Minnesota, we wouldn’t have started this business. About 80 percent of our business comes from <br />Made in Minnesota clients. In two years, we have grown to five full-time positions and we use 7-8 companies locally to <br />install systems. Made in Minnesota has been a great economic energizer for small towns, providing a great financial <br />boost to communities while sending an important environmental statement to rural Minnesota.” <br />— David Fisk, Aquilla Solar (Wabasha, MN) <br />“We manufacture products and parts for the solar industry, and Made in Minnesota has increased demand for these <br />parts. We did $12 million in renewable energy parts business last year; two years ago we did zero dollars “ <br />— Mark Turley, Alexandria Industries (Alexandria, MN)