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Who regulates Solar?Current: MN Power Plant Siting Act• 50 MW – State permits (MN PUC)• <50 MW – Local permits
• 0 to < 10 MW ‐ Local• 10 to <25 MW – State or Delegated County
– >/10 MW linked to transmission interconnection process through Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
• >/= 25 MW ‐ State
Work Group proposal, 2015 Omnibus Energy Bill, did not pass
Murray County
• Large > 100kW• Small <100kW• Large solar NP in the shoreland or floodplain districts
• 0 to < 10MW ‐ County permits• 10 to <25 MW – will be delegated – if legislation passes
– EAW Threshold?– MISO Queue?
• 25 and over MW State permitted – if legislation passes
Lyon County
• Small = The solar array is an accessory use• Medium = The solar farm is meant to generate electricity to be used on site and / or sold back to power utilities
• Large = A solar farm, where the primary land use of the parcel is for a solar array. They generally have an Alternating Current (AC) rated capacity greater than 1 Megawatt (1 MW)
• Large arrays are not permitted in shoreland or in Unincorporated villages
Recent Co approved projects• Pipestone County – CUP approved.
– Geronimo – approved, Xcel Energy– Antlia – up to 2 MW with two 1 MW solar gardens– 21 acres of leased land– Enough energy to power 333 homes and avoid emission of 2423
metric tons of carbon annually
• Pipestone County – CUP decision delayed, but approved– Geronimo – Xcel Energy– Capella Community solar Garden– Up to 5 MW; five 1 MW community solar gardens– 50 acres – leased– 833 homes; 6058 m ton carbon avoided– County Tile…
Factors to consider for solar code development
Size and space• Small and Large vs Small, Mid, Large
– Production• Small <40 kW or <100 kW• Large >40 kW or 100kW and larger
– Energy output• Small – energy used on site (Accessory)• Mid – energy used on site and / or sold back to utilities (Accessory and / or distribution)
• Large – energy all sold to utilities (transmission)
Factors to consider for solar code development – cont.
Environmental Review• 25‐50 MW – Mandatory EAW by EQB• 5‐25 MW – Discretionary EAW / Citizen Petition
• <5 MW – exempt from environmental review• Land conversion of >80 acres = mandatory review
• Potential airport impact
Factors to consider for solar code development
• MPCA Stormwater Permit• Location
– Land– Are there certain areas where solar may not be appropriate due to environmental concerns?
– Larger concentrations of population – such as unincorporated villages
Codes to be aware of…
Structural Loads• Most local building codes rely on the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) Standard 7‐10• ‐ ASCE 7‐10 is "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings & Other Structures"• ‐ Dead Loads of PV systems are about 5 psf to 10 psf• ‐ Typical residential panel weighs 40 lbs, measuring about 3.5' x 5.5' and 19+
sq ft.• ‐ Typical commercial panel weights 50lbs, measuring about 3.5' x 6.5' and
about 23 sq ft.• ‐ Snow Loads ‐MN snow loads range from 40 to 80 psf, though arrays are
tilted at higher angles and snow melts and slides off readily.• ‐ ‐ Live Loads (i.e. when the installer is moving around on the roof) often as
low as 5 psf to 10 psf, and really not a concern.• ‐Wind Loads ‐ wind loads are calculated based on the basic wind speed value
of 3 second gust at 33 feet ‐ local building code would have the required standard.
National &Minnesota electrical code• Article 690 governs Solar Photovoltaic Systems specifically
• Articles 240, 250, 300, 705 and dozens more cover Overcurrent Protection, Grounding and Bonding, Wiring Methods, and Interconnecting electric power production ‐‐‐point is that the standards are in code
Fire Code Requirements• Intl. Fire Code 605 requires• Extensive markings to tell emergency responders a PV
system is present and where the main disconnect is.• For residential installations, 605 requires 3 feet setbacks
from the roofline and edges (roofline setback is so firefighters can cut in a roof vent if necessary without hitting PV wire
• For commercial installations, 605 governs access and spacing requirements so first responders have a pathway(s) to a specific part of the roof and can establish smoke ventilation if necessary
• Flat commercial roofs have a 4 foot setback from the roof edge to reduce fall hazards.
Thermal Effects for rooftop installations (small commercial,
residential, churches)• Temperature threatens electrical performance and solar array
lifetime.• Heat increases current resistance and reduces electrical output• encourage "cooler" installations• Keep modules and arrays clear of obstructions so air circulates
naturally• Avoid blocking or restricting open spaces underneath the modules
with flashing or similar barriers• Rooftop racking systems and stand‐off mounts are designed to
provide good air flow ‐ don't let zoning get in the way of good racking.
Solar PP&Z TooklitSolar PP&Z Tooklit
Source: http://www.growsolar.org/wp‐content/uploads/2015/04/Minnesota‐Toolkit.pdf
1. Summary of statutes that guide/enable local gov’t solar development actions
2. Comprehensive Plan guidance, best practices
3. Land use regulation guidance, best practices
4. Model zoning ordinance5. Permitting guidance & BPs6. Model solar building
permit