Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Minnesota Department of Commerce (“Department”) seeks proposals from qualified organizations or individuals to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of community solar garden programs in jurisdictions outside of Minnesota compared to the Low and Moderate-Income Accessible Community Solar Garden Program overseen by the Department, and to deliver a report describing that analysis and its findings. The analysis should compare program structure, the manner in which applications are submitted and reviewed, how related infrastructure upgrades are prioritized and funded, and how regulations and penalties are structured. The analysis should also compare the relative cost to ratepayers of the community solar gardens programs, and the cost compared to other potential options for encouraging adoption of solar electricity in Minnesota. Finally, the report should contain analysis of how the community solar program impacts interconnection upgrade needs and challenges.
