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Title: Solar Energy Generating System
Alternate Title:
Description:

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

Subject: Energy
Utilities
Creation Date: 8/31/2021 2:17:16 PM
Modification Date: 6/13/2025 4:14:13 PM

Agency Name: Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Minnesota
Agency URL: https://mn.gov/puc/
Agency Description: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates three service industries in Minnesota, electricity, natural gas, and telephone. It is the commission's responsibility to ensure that vendors of these services provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, reasonable rates.
Agency Phone: 651-296-0406
800-657-3782
Agency Fax: 651-297-7073
Agency URL: https://mn.gov/puc/

Agency Address:
121 7th Place East, Suite 350

St. Paul
MN 55101-2147

Unit Name: Email
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: Unit Fax: Contact person(s): publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
Unit URL:

Audience: Hold Application URL:
Renewal URL:
Versa URL:
Requirements:

Review:

Energy Facilities Permitting

Solar Energy Permitting

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) permits solar generating facilities of 50 megawatts (MW) or greater. To permit a solar energy facility, the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) creates a report called an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Commission. This report looks at how the proposed project might affect humans and the environment.

While making the EA, the EERA will hold a public meeting and open a period where people can submit their comments. This helps decide what should be included in the EA and what alternatives to consider.

Once the EA is finished, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will oversee a public hearing. At this hearing, people can give presentations, share evidence, and ask questions about the project. After the public comment period ends, the ALJ will write a report for the Commission.

The Commission will then review all the information, including the EA and the ALJ’s report and public comments, to decide whether or not to grant a permit for the project.

Rules: 7850.2800-3900

Statutes: 216E.04

Forms:

No specific form. Contact the MN Department of Commerce for information regarding what is to be required to be included in the application.

Fees:
Period of Issuance:
Length of Determination: Permitting timeline: 6 months, but can be extended up to 3 months for good cause.
Other Info:
Activity: Energy Facilities
Large Wind Energy Conversion Systems
License Detail URL:

Solar Energy Permitting

Energy Facilities Permitting

Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Minnesota