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Minnesota Model Solar Ordinance 2 Model Solar Ordinance – Minnesota Introduction Minnesota’s solar energy resources are high quality and cost effective—as good as many states to our south and consistently available across the entire state. As solar energy system components have become more efficient and less costly, an increasing number of solar energy systems have been installed in Minnesota. Market opportunities for solar development have dramatically increased in Minnesota over the last five years, such that communities must now address solar installations as land use and development issues. Solar energy components continue to improve in efficiency and decline in price; large-scale solar energy is expected to become the least expensive form of electric energy generation within a few years, surpassing wind energy and natural gas in levelized cost of energy. But solar energy is much more than just low-cost energy generation. Households and businesses seeking to reduce their carbon footprint see solar energy as a strong complement to energy efficiency. Agricultural producers see their solar energy as an economic hedge against price volatility in commodity crops. Utilities see solar’s declining cost, high reliability, and free fuel as a means to put downward pressure on electric rates. Corporate, institutional, and municipal buyers are actively acquiring carbon-free solar generation to meet climate and clean energy goals. And innovative solar site designs are capturing habitat and water quality co-benefits by using solar with habitat-friendly ground cover to restore eco-system functions. Solar Energy Issues Local governments in Minnesota are seeing increasing interest by property owners in solar energy installations and are having to address a variety of solar land uses in their development regulation. Given the continuing cost reductions and growing value of clean energy, solar development will increasingly be a local development opportunity, from the rooftop to the large-scale solar farm. Three primary issues tie solar energy to development regulations: 1. Land use conflicts and synergies. Solar energy systems have few nuisances. But solar development can compete for land with other development options, and visual impacts and perceived safety concerns sometimes create opposition to solar installations. Good design and attention to aesthetics can address most concerns for rooftop or accessory use systems. Good siting and site design standards for large- and community-scale solar can similarly resolve conflicts and create co-benefits from solar development, such as restoring habitat, diversifying agricultural businesses, and improving surface and ground waters. 2. Protecting access to solar resources. Solar resources are a valuable component of property ownership. Development regulations can inadvertently limit a property owner’s ability to access their solar resource. Communities should consider how to protect and develop solar resources in zoning, subdivision, and other development regulations or standards. 3. Encouraging appropriate solar development. Local government can go beyond simply removing regulatory barriers and encourage solar development that provides economic development, climate protection, and natural resources co-benefits. Local governments have a variety of tools to encourage appropriately sited and designed solar development to meet local goals. Model Solar Energy Standards This ordinance is based on the model solar energy ordinance originally created for Solar Minnesota, under a Million Solar Roofs grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. It has been substantially updated several times to reflect address additional issues and opportunities for Minnesota communities and the evolving solar industry, last updated May 2020