Solar Permitting in Minnesota GERONIMO ENERGY TENA MONSON MANAGER OF SOLAR DEVELOPMENT

Solar Permitting in Minnesota GERONIMO ENERGY TENA MONSON MANAGER OF SOLAR DEVELOPMENT

Presentation Agenda SOLAR ENERGY Industry Update State Permitting Solar Ordinance Local Land Use Permitting

Geronimo Company Background LEADING RENEWABLE DEVELOPER IN THE MIDWEST Have won more wind Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) than any other developer in the Midwest since 2010 Awarded the largest solar project in the Eastern half of the U.S. Ranked by Bloomberg New Energy Finance in 2013 as the 4th largest developer of wind by sales in the U.S. 1,340 MW of wind and solar under PPA in MN, ND, NE, MI and IL o Over $2 billion in capital investment End to end development and commercial expertise in house THE LEADER IN MINNESOTA RENEWABLES Headquartered in Edina, MN Approximately 400 MW under PPA for 2015 construction in MN o 300 MW of wind projects o 100 MW of solar projects o Leading voice on Policy and Renewables in the State Community solar gardens pioneer with 74MW portfolio 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 3

Industry Update SOLAR IN MINNESOTA 1.5% solar carve out Community Solar Gardens Xcel s Integrated Resource Plan o 1,887 MW by 2030 Clean Power Plan and Paris Climate Agreement www.geronimoenergy.com 4

Industry Update COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS IN MINNESOTA Three phase line and substations Xcel s Program: Moving forward new projects only 1 MW 24 months to complete - many are still larger than 1 MW Construction underway for first gardens 1,178 MW withdrawn, 820 MW Active,.4 MW In-Service www.geronimoenergy.com 5

1. OPERATING CAPACITY OF 50 MW 2. 216E.021 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM SIZE DETERMINATION State Permit Qualification Combination of solar energy generating systems meets the definition of a large electric power generating plant if: o Construction occurs within the same 12 month period o Exhibits characteristics of a single development: Ownership structure, an umbrella sales arrangement, shared interconnection, revenue sharing arrangements, and common debt or equity financing o Commissioner of commerce shall make size determinations, and in the event of dispute, chair of the PUC makes final determinations 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 6

Project Examples 1. 100 MW AURORA DISTRIBUTED SOLAR, LLC: GERONIMO ENERGY 2. 62.25 MW MARSHAL SOLAR, LLC: NEXTERA 3. 100 MW NORTH STAR SOLAR PV, LLC: COMMUNITY ENERGY RESOURCES 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 7

Typical Solar Ordinance Ordinance Item Project Classification: Define project type based upon project size and PPA typology Details Solar Farm: A commercial facility that converts sunlight into electricity, whether by photovoltaic (PV), concentrating solar thermal devices (CST), or other conversion technology, for the principal purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity Community Solar: A solar project that provides retail electric power (or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple community members or businesses residing or located off site from the location of the solar energy system, under the provisions of Minnesota statutes 216B.1641 or successor statute Commercial Solar: 100kW Small Commercial Solar: 20 100kW Residential Solar: 20kW Ground Mounted Solar Energy System : A freestanding solar system mounted directly to the ground using a rack or pole rather than being mounted on a building. 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 8

Typical Solar Ordinance Ordinance Item Details Compliance with Building Code: All active solar energy systems shall satisfy the requirements of the local building code, which requirements shall be consistent with the requirements of the State of Minnesota building code. Compliance with State Electric Code Construction Requirements Certifications: Solar electric system components shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Utility Connection: All grid intertie solar energy systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the issuance of a building permit. Feeder Lines: All power lines shall remain underground within project site Abandonment and Decommissioning: If a solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 9

Typical Solar Ordinance Ordinance Item Siting Restrictions Details Setback requirements: comply with the principal structure setback standards for the applicable zoning district in which they are located. Potential setbacks from residents. Height restrictions: Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed fifteen feet (15 ) in height Wetlands: All solar energy systems will follow state regulations and mitigation requirements. Coverage: The modules and racking equipment for ground mounted systems shall not apply to coverage limits in each zoning district. Landscaping: Screening or other landscaping to mitigate visual impacts for neighboring properties. Flexibility is key to this provision. 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 10

Local Permit Qualification/Process Item Size Planning Commission County / Town Board / City Council 60 Day Rule Application Process/Evaluation Project falls to local authority if it is < 50 MW or < 80 MW and has elected for Local Permit review under 216E.05 Review of performance standards and recommend conditions Approval/denial, findings of fact, additional conditions Required to act or assume as approved. Extensions are common when it comes to controversial projects 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 11

Local Permit Process Application Type Conditional Use Interim Use Permitted Use 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 12

Local Permit Process Application Type Conditional Use Permit- 462.3595 Application Process/Evaluation Authority: Governing body may by ordinance regulate land use in an area by adding specific conditions and standards Duration: Once a permit is granted it lasts so long as the conditions of the permit are met. Runs with the land. Public Hearing 462.357: A public hearing must be held by governing body with notification of all property owner within required distance of the development area 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 13

Local Permit Process Application Type Interim Use Permit- 462.3597 Application Process/Evaluation Authority: Governing body may by ordinance regulate temporary land use in an area by adding specific conditions and standards and timeline. Duration: Permit is established for a finite period of time and will not add costs to future land use Public Hearing 462.357: A public hearing must be held by governing body with notification of all property owner within required distance of the development area 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 14

Local Permit Process Application Type Permitted Use Application Process/Evaluation Authority: Zoning allow a local authority to control the development of land by dividing areas into districts or zones and regulating the uses within those areas 1. Permitted Use: if ordinance conditions are met allowed as a matter of right without further need for review or approval by local authority 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 15

Local Permit Process in Detail Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Permit Application: CUP, IUP or Permitted Use Analysis of local land use zoning and comprehensive plan Are local ordinance amendments needed? Work with local staff to develop ordinance amendments Typical Items needed to Permit: 1. ALTA land survey 2. Civil grading/ engineering study 3. Storm-water management plan 4. Wetland analysis 5. Landscaping/ground cover plan 6. Array Layout design 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 16

Project Examples 1 MW COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN 25 MW JUWI SOLAR- MN SOLAR I 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 17

Contact Us GERONIMO ENERGY 7650 EDINBOROUGH WAY SUITE 725 EDINA, MN 55435 952-988-9000 WWW.GERONIMOENERGY.COM TENA MONSON MANAGER OF SOLAR DEVELOPMENT TENA@GERONIMOENERGY.COM 952-988-9000 Proprietary and Confidential www.geronimoenergy.com 18

Questions? 10/11/2016 www.geronimoenergy.com 19