Minnesota legislators vote to end state Solar Incentive Programme

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Republican legislators are not fans of the programme; questioning its economic fruits and lack of legislative oversight. Source: Flickr/steakpinball

In a 76-49 vote last week, Republican legislators voted to get rid of Minnesota’s solar incentive programme that has seen homeowners and businesses install thousands of panels since its inception in 2013.

Bill H.F. 235, which awaits review from the Senate, puts a premature end to the 10-year incentive programme, which drummed up local business through the requirement of PV and CSP equipment having to be certified in the state.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The Minnesota House of Representatives said that the US$15 million programme costs too much for the little number of jobs it creates.

The programme had been successful however in a number of state projects that had been administered through the Department of Commerce in Minnesota. As of last year, almost 1,100 solar projects had been implemented since the initiative was started. Therefore, it is likely that scrapping the programme will have a detrimental effect on Minnesota’s solar market.

Minnesota’s nascent solar industry skyrocketed in 2016, jumping from 35MW of installed capacity to 250MW by the end of last year. Without the incentives, these figures may not continue to rise at their current rate. The Commerce Department expects that by 2018 Minnesota could have nearly four times the solar capacity it has today.

“Our members established their businesses here with the promise there would be US$15 million allocated annually, that this state was interested in solar broadly and that you all would continue to support us. This programme brought companies, and then companies brought jobs and the jobs fed families.” David Schaffer, of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association told CNBC.

The ‘Made in Minnesota’ incentive programme has been under fire from Republicans since January this year, when they expressed want for more legislative oversight of the state’s energy funds, rather than contracting out to private companies – which in this case is Xcel Energy.

Representative Pat Garofalo called the programme “an embarrassment to the state” and said the legislature should have control of the renewable energy fund. He referenced a review done by the Office of Legislative Auditor suggesting that more oversight of the fund was needed to increase accountability.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
The California State Legislature has passed two bills that aim to reduce energy prices in the state, AB 825 and SB 302.
September 17, 2025
QatarEnergy has signed an EPC agreement with Samsung C&T for its 2GW Dukhan project. 
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA