Senate bill threatens solar energy in Minnesota
- Energy democracy & policy
Today, Solar United Neighbors joined a coalition of environmental, conservation, and community groups at an emergency press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol to oppose dangerous rollbacks to the state’s climate and clean energy progress.
Senate energy Finance bill threatens solar energy in Minnesota
Less than two years after Minnesota passed nation-leading climate laws, the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee has advanced a budget and policy omnibus bill (called Senate File 2393 or SF 2393) that threatens to undermine our state’s progress toward a clean energy future.
The bill, which passed out of committee on April 9, 2025, contains numerous rollbacks that favor big tech companies and utility monopolies over programs that help everyday Minnesotans switch to solar while saving money.
“This bill is a betrayal of Minnesota’s climate promises,” said Steve Morse, Executive Director of Minnesota Environmental Partnership, at the press conference. “In 2023, we passed nation-leading clean energy laws. Now, backroom deals are handing our future to polluters.”
Tell your Senator you oppose SF 2393.
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What’s at stake for solar
The Senate’s Energy Omnibus Bill specifically targets several critical solar programs that thousands of Minnesotans rely on. Let’s look at exactly how this bill threatens Minnesota’s most successful solar programs and the communities that depend on them:
Community Solar Gardens Program
The Senate bill would sunset Minnesota’s nation-leading Community Solar program, threatening one of the state’s most successful models for expanding clean energy access beyond those who can afford rooftop installations.
“Community Solar Gardens power 30,000 Minnesotans, create local jobs, and save people money, especially renters, low-income households and public interest institutions like schools, hospitals and counties,” said Pouya Najmaie, Policy and Regulatory Director at Cooperative Energy Futures. “All of this makes it the largest and most equitable form of solar in the state. Killing this program is a gift to monopoly utilities—and a slap in the face to workers and families.”
Net metering in rural and small town communities
Since 1983, Minnesota’s net metering policy has provided fair compensation for solar owners who send power to the grid. The Senate bill would slash compensation rates specifically for solar owners in rural electric cooperative and municipal service areas.
“Minnesota’s net metering policy is vital as well as key to making solar work on farms like mine,” said Carmen Fernholz of A-Frame Farm in Madison, Minnesota. “Net metering gives all rural Minnesotans a viable opportunity to invest in and be a part of producing renewable energy we all need and is an equitable way to share our solar produced power with our neighbors. Gutting net metering disenfranchises and disincentivizes rural Minnesotans of the opportunity to invest in our growing energy needs while addressing climate change challenges.”
Solar rewards program
The Senate bill would shut down the Renewable Development Account (RDA), which funds the Solar Rewards program that helps low-income homeowners go solar.
“Equity matters as we move towards our clean energy goals,” said Bobby King, Minnesota State Director for Solar United Neighbors. “The Solar Reward Program is funded by the Renewable Development Account and is giving low-income homeowners and nonprofits that serve low income communities access to solar. This nation-leading program would end if this provision passes.”
Other concerning provisions
Beyond the direct attacks on solar programs, the bill includes other troubling provisions:
- Creates loopholes allowing biodiesel and biomass burners to count as “carbon-free”
- Exempts hyperscale data centers from environmental reviews when constructing diesel generators
- Allows environmentally harmful hydropower dams to qualify as “clean energy”
Take action now
Solar United Neighbors is urging all Minnesotans who care about solar energy to contact their state senators now. Tell them to strip these harmful provisions from the Senate Energy Finance Bill and honor Minnesota’s commitment to affordable, carbon-free energy for all. We’ve already drafted the message for you – you just need to add your contact information and personalize the email if you’d like. It just takes two minutes. Write to your Senator today to let them know you oppose the negative policies in SF 2393!
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