The Minnesota Department of Commerce (“Department”) is seeking applications for the Minnesota Energy Storage Incentive Program, Chapter 60 – MN Laws, to provide incentives to stimulate the installation of storage systems paired with solar PV installation systems outside of Xcel service territory. In the first year, $3,000,000 is available for grants to install on-site energy storage systems, as defined in Minn. Stat., Sec. 216B.2422, subd. 1, (f), with a capacity of 50 kilowatt hours or less and that are located outside the electric service area of the electric utility subject to Minn. Stat 116C.779. To receive a grant through this program, energy storage systems (“Storage Systems”) must be paired with solar energy generating systems (“Solar Systems”). More specifically, an owner of a Storage System must be operating a Solar PV System at the same site as the Storage System or have filed an application with a utility to interconnect a Solar System at the same site as the Storage System. Battery storage funding specifically for Tribal and Low-Income individuals will be available at a later date.
