Collaborating to find least-risk, best-value strategies for Minnesota to achieve its solar energy goals
About
The state goal of reaching 10% solar by 2030 will take Minnesota from 250 megawatts of solar capacity at the end of 2016 to as much as 6 gigawatts by 2030, enough energy to power more than 700,000 Minnesota homes. There are three different types of action needed to reach this goal that will be explored by the MN Solar Pathways project.
Project Timeline
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Interconnection Work
2017Examine current interconnection processes at utilities across the State of Minnesota
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Enhanced Hosting Capacity | 2018
Quantify how new technologies can impact the grid’s ability to host solar energy
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Solar Potential Analysis
2018Estimate the generation cost to achieve 10% solar by 2025 and 70% solar and wind by 2050
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Solar Deployment Strategy | 2019
Calculate the economic impacts and market incentives created by different solar portfolios
MN Solar Pathways is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.
Project Findings & Reports
Final Technical Report to U.S. Dept. of Energy
This is the final technical report submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy summarizing the efforts and findings of the MN Solar Pathways project.
Report: Solar Potential Analysis – MISO Region
This report attempts to answer the question: How do we achieve 100% renewables across the MISO region while not breaking the bank?
Solar Deployment Strategy Tool & Case Studies
The Solar Deployment Strategy (SDS) calculates the economic impacts and market incentives created by different solar portfolios and rate structures. Three case studies explore specific adoption scenarios.
Report: Minnesota Solar Potential Analysis
The Solar Potential Analysis report shows that solar, wind, and storage can competitively power a majority of Minnesota’s electric needs.
Report: Enhanced Hosting Capacity Analysis
This report presents static and enhanced hosting capacity analyses on four feeders in Minnesota.
Report: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges for Streamlining Interconnection Processes
This report characterizes existing interconnection practices for six Minnesota utilities and assesses opportunities to streamline them.
Project Partners & Participants
Led by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, core partners in the project include the Center for Energy and Environment, Clean Energy Resource Teams, Clean Power Research, and the Great Plains Institute. In addition, the three-year project includes stakeholders from electric utilities, the solar industry, local units of government, corporations with sustainability goals, and nonprofit representatives. Through a collaborative stakeholder process, MN Solar Pathways seeks to build consensus for sustainable solar development strategies modeled specifically for Minnesota.
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