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permit fee should be charged for different types of solar systems, and best <br /> practices advocacy available). <br /> Ms. Barsel asked if this should include the code addressing the entire range of <br /> options and applicable processes and fees for residential and commercial <br /> installations. <br /> Mr. Ross responded affirmatively, anticipating few changes in best practices <br /> required in zoning for roof installations, and fortunately noted that the <br /> comprehensive plan portion would be wrapped up in the updates of those plans <br /> with the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Ross noted that the Metropolitan Council was <br /> participating in Phase II and Solar Ready Community components at this time, <br /> and his firm and the industry was trying to get them to formally recognize <br /> communities having met statutory standard requirements for solar in the Council's <br /> comprehensive plan review and approval process. <br /> Mr. Schwartz questioned if there was anything prohibiting a community from <br /> moving forward while these longer-term processes are pending; and asked Mr. <br /> Ross what he would recommend for the PWETC's next steps in making a <br /> recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Schwartz also asked Mr. Ross to speak <br /> briefly about particular opportunities for credits and timeframes coming up and <br /> current solar rewards programs. <br /> Specific to the solar rewards program, Mr. Ross reported that Xcel Energy's <br /> program had just opened up applications for the next round of funding, which was <br /> of course creating a land rush to submit applications; however, it was not yet <br /> completely subscribed. Mr. Ross clarified that their process was not a lottery <br /> process, but they evaluated each project according to their award criteria. If the <br /> City of Roseville was thinking of taking advantage of this round, Mr. Ross <br /> suggested that they do so quickly, as there was a limitation on those solar rewards, <br /> with one for 20 KW and the other for 40 KW between two different programs, the <br /> Solar Rewards program and the Minnesota Made program, both with different <br /> application windows and varying criteria, with both programs opening <br /> applications on an annual basis. <br /> Mr. Ross suggested a good first step for the PWETC to consider would be to <br /> move ahead with the site assessment process and what made the most sense, <br /> especially for considering a community solar system and its size, noting that the <br /> larger the system, the bigger bang for the buck, but then needing more land, more <br /> interconnection review, and reviewing adjacent land uses and roof structures, etc. <br /> Mr. Ross noted that such a preliminary assessment was necessary in any regard; <br /> and with the solar mapping data available, and some already done by the City of <br /> Roseville, they could overlay their other criteria onto that, and suggested that <br /> analysis get started quickly as a preliminary step to put the City in a good place <br /> moving forward. <br /> Page 9 of 15 <br />