Solar Hot Water Rebate Program

85 7th Place East, Suite 500

St. Paul, MN 55101-2198
651.296.5175
tty: 651.296.2860
fax: 651.297.7891
www.energy.mn.gov

MINNESOTA SOLAR HOT WATER REBATE APPLICATION

Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Program. The information you need to apply for a
solar water heating rebate follows. In addition to this rebate program, the state of Minnesota offers:
• property tax exemption for solar energy systems, so the system will not increase your property tax bill;
• state sales tax exemption for solar equipment.
Additional funding may be available through federal tax incentives or your utility. For an updated list of federal, state, and
utility energy incentives visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website at www.dsireusa.org/.
Below are some basic steps to help you through the rebate process.

1. Complete a domestic hot water assessment. At minimum, the residence must be equipped with low flow
plumbing fixtures to conserve hot water, 120 degrees F maximum hot water temperature, and insulation on the
existing hot water heater and accessible hot water pipes to minimize losses. Please note that the Office of Energy
Security (OES) recommends a comprehensive professional energy audit. However, for the purpose of this rebate
the homeowner may fulfill these minimum requirements.

2. Solicit bids. The Office of Energy Security (OES) recommends soliciting at least two bids for your solar hot
water system from professional installers. You should look for a solar installer who provides comprehensive
design, equipment, and installation services. An estimate should include the cost of permitting, hardware,
shipping, installation, and travel. OES maintains a list of renewable energy installers, which can be found at
www.energy.mn.gov or by contacting us at energyinfo@state.mn.us. Only installers who meet the requirements
set forth in this application are eligible to participate in the rebate program. Additionally:
a. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers nationally recognized
voluntary certification for solar professionals that meet a minimum standard of experience, training, and
knowledge. See http://www.nabcep.org for a list of NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installers™.
NABCEP certification is not an installer requirement for this program.
b. The Department of Labor and Industry advises homeowners to avoid contractors who ask the client to
pull permits. Call (651) 284-5069 to speak with a building contractor investigator if you have questions.

3. Complete a Solar Hot Water Site Assessment. A site assessment using a solar shading analysis tool (typically
completed by the solar installer) helps determine if a solar hot water system is suitable for your location and
budget.

4. Submit application. Complete and mail this application, along with a copy of the bid from the chosen
installation contractor, equipment specifications, solar site assessment with shading analysis, system
schematic, and site photo to OES.

5. Rebate confirmation form. Within 30 days of receiving a complete application, we will notify you if your
application has been approved. If approved, you will receive a rebate confirmation as evidence that you may
proceed with your installation. You have one year to install the system and submit the rebate claim form that will
accompany the rebate confirmation form.

6. The solar installer may begin work only after you have been notified that your application is approved.

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Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility. Minnesota residents are eligible for rebates to install solar hot water heating systems for residential use. The
primary function of the system is to provide domestic hot water. Heating is permitted if connected to domestic hot water, but
the space heating load is NOT eligible for an incentive.
2. Location of System. The solar energy system must be installed on the property of an eligible consumer, and the property
must be located in Minnesota.
3. Shading: The collectors must be at least 80% shade free as calculated from the middle of the lowest edge of the collector(s)
as shown by the solar hot water site assessment. If the system pump(s) are powered by a photovoltaic (PV) module, there
should be no shading of the PV module year round. To ensure power delivery to the DC pump corresponds with solar
incidence on the thermal collectors, the PV panel must be attached to the frame of the solar hot water collectors or mounted
adjacent to the collectors.
4. Approval. An application for a rebate must be approved by OES before any equipment is ordered, purchased or installed.
Within 30 days after we receive a complete application, we will send you a letter notifying you if your application is
approved.
5. Incentive Amount. The rebate will not exceed 25 percent of project costs or $2,500 for single family homes or up to $10,000
for multi-family residences for new systems.
6. System Requirements. The solar energy system must be designed and installed to meet the “System Requirements”
described in this application. You must notify OES if there are deviations to the system requirements set forth in the System
Requirements.
7. Repairs Are Eligible. The repair of non-functioning solar water heating systems is eligible. The repaired system must have a
two-year installation warranty and a one-year equipment warranty. Solar hot water systems that malfunctioned due to a lack
of maintenance or that were previously supported by the Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Program are not eligible.
8. Consumer Education. Installer must provide system owner instructions maintenance schedule and information about how to
identify whether the system is working properly. An owner’s manual specific to the system must be delivered to the applicant
in order to receive a rebate.
9. One-year Project Deadline. The solar hot water system must be installed and the rebate claim form submitted within one
year of the project approval date. If the installation does not meet the one-year timeline the OES will terminate the reward.
You will be notified in writing that your reward has been canceled. Requests for extensions beyond the twelve-month period
must be submitted in writing to OES at the address on the first page.
10. Changes. You must notify OES in writing if there are changes in the original application with regard to the system installer
or equipment.
11. Privacy. OES will not share your personal information with third parties for the purpose of solicitation, but may from time
to time send related information from renewable energy non-profit organizations.
12. Disclaimer. Acceptance of this rebate does not constitute the approval, acceptance, warranty, guarantee or endorsement of
OES or Department of Commerce.
13. Additional Terms. OES reserves the right to:
a. Inspect or monitor the system to ensure that it is consistent with program guidelines.
b. Withhold payment until any identified problems with the solar hot water system are resolved.
c. Terminate this rebate in whole or in part due to the recipient’s failure to fulfill the terms and conditions in this
document, or due to non-appropriation of necessary funds.
d. Alter the program at any time without notice.

DETERMINING THE REBATE LEVEL

OES uses the following table to determine the rebate amount for new systems and repairs to existing systems.

Customer Type System size Multiply by Equals Maximum Maximum

(sq ft of net aperture as rebate rate Project Cost Rebate
determined by SRCC) ($30 per square Share
foot)

New
Single family 25% $2,500
Multi-family 2-3 units 25% $4,000
Multi-family 4+ units 25% $10,000
Repairs
Single family 50% $1,000
Multi-family 2-3 units 50% $2,000
Multi-family 4+ units 50% $3,000

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Questions regarding this application should be directed to stacy.miller@state.mn.us

APPLICANT INFORMATION – Complete all appropriate fields. Please print.

Contact Name or Name of Residential Owner

Mailing Address City State ZIP County

Phone ( ) - Email
Installation address if different than mailing (no. PO Boxes) City State ZIP County

This system will be used in a:

Single-family home Multi-family home (2-3 units) Apt/Condo building (4+ units)
Number of occupants _______ Estimated hot water use per day _____ gallons Incoming water temperature______

Approximate age of home or building ____________________

Water heating fuel supplier _____________________ Acct # if natural gas or electric _________________________
(OES may request your usage history from the utility.)
Current water heating fuel type:
Natural Gas Propane (LP) Oil Electric Other: ___________

Low flow plumbing fixtures installed for all showers and sinks Water temperature set to 120o F maximum

Insulation on interior hot water lines OR These improvements will be made on or before____________

INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

Company installing the system Lead Installer’s Name Is lead installer NABCEP Solar
Thermal certified?
Yes #___________ No
Mailing Address City State ZIP

Company’s Phone Email

( ) -
Plumbing contractor license # (or restricted plumbing lic # Solar installer liability insurance coverage $
if city population is less than 5,000) Minimum of $50,000

General Contractor # (where required) Mechanical bond # ______________ Plumbing bond # _____________
(As required by DOLI; May use plumbing contractor’s bonds)
SYSTEM DETAILS – All fields are required
New Installation Estimated Installation/Repair Date (required): _____________ Estimated Installation/Repair Cost
Repair $
Number of Collectors/Tubes Roof Mount
Collector Type: Flat Plate Evacuated Tube
Ground Mount
Collector Manufacturer ___________________________ Collector Model Number___________ Net aperture ____________

Collector Tilt Angle (35-60º from horizontal) ____________ Azimuth Angle (must be between 135-225o) ________

Shading analysis (Attach the shading analysis completed during solar hot water site assessment)

Solar Storage Tank Manufacturer Solar Tank Model Number Solar Tank Volume ________ gallons
(40 gallon minimum)
Back-up Water Heater: Same as existing
Replacement Manufacturer: ____________ Model Number:____________ Storage: __________ gallons

Pump Manufacturer: ___________________ Model Number: ________________________ Horsepower: ________ AC DC

If 2nd Pump, Manufacturer: ______________ Model Number: ________________________ Horsepower: ________ AC DC

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 MINNESOTA SOLAR HOT WATER REBATE APPLICATION

Please Note: This completed form must be submitted and approved by OES before any equipment is ordered, purchased or
installed.

SIGNATURE
I certify that I have performed or reviewed this analysis and any accompanying documentation, and the information is reasonable and
accurate. I further certify the unit is to be installed at the indicated installation address. I have read and agree to the terms and
conditions associated with this program.

Applicant Signature Date

Installer Signature Date

OES may elect to evaluate program energy savings by monitoring energy use prior to and after solar installation. Your signature
provides OES approval to obtain energy consumption data directly from your utility company.

TO BE COMPLETED BY STAFF ONLY – Project Information

Application Number Application Received By Date Received

Energy Production Estimated (show units) Rebate amount $ _______________

Approved?
Initials Date
Yes___ No____

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 INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
‚ Professional Installation: System must be installed to meet these System Requirements by an installer working with a licensed
plumber. The installer who contracts for the installation must have a minimum $50,000 of liability insurance. Product literature, system
description, schematic, and maintenance instructions must be provided to the customer in the form of an owner’s manual. Self
installations are not eligible to participate in the rebate program. The solar energy system must comply with all applicable federal, state
and local codes and obtain the appropriate permits. Installation requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Plumbing
connections between potable and non-potable water must be performed by a licensed plumber. You must notify OES if there are
deviations to the system requirements.
‚ SRCC 0G300 Pre-Assembled Systems: Entire systems rated by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) and
assembled by the manufacturer may be installed as received from the manufacturer in lieu of the System Requirements for those
components.
‚ Collectors: Collectors must be rated by the SRCC (OG-100). Collectors must have a minimum five-year warranty. Flat plate collectors
must have tempered glass glazing. Home built systems are not eligible.
‚ Collector Mounting: Collectors must be mounted at an angle of at least 35 degrees but no more than 60 degrees from horizontal.
Collectors must be securely fastened to their mounting structure. In some cases it may be necessary to reinforce roofing structure.
‚ Labeling: At minimum, the following system components must be labeled: potable water and non-potable pipe. Include a schematic
with the owner’s manual and with this application.
‚ Pressurized Systems: All piping between the collectors and the heat exchanger and return piping within 10 feet of the collector must
be copper or stainless steel and insulated with insulation rated to withstand over 250 degrees and jacketing capable of withstanding
moisture, ultraviolet radiation and environmental exposure. The balance of system piping may be either copper, stainless steel or cross-
linked polyethylene (PEX) (rated to at least 200 degrees F at 100 pounds per square inch) and insulated with insulation rated to
withstand 200 degrees F and jacketing capable of withstanding moisture, ultraviolet radiation and environmental exposure. All piping
must be supported every eight feet for copper, stainless steel pipe and aluminum PEX pipe or every three feet of PEX pipe. A check
valve must be installed in the solar loop to prevent thermosyphoning. All fittings, valves and gauges must be copper, bronze, stainless
steel or brass. The closed loop must be fitted with the following components: pressure relief valve, expansion tank and pressure gauge.
A pressure relief valve must be installed in the collector loop in the mechanical room on the collector side of ANY shut-off array
valves. System pressures must not exceed 75 pounds per square inch..
‚ Drainback Systems: All piping between the collectors and the heat exchanger must be copper, stainless steel and insulated with
insulation rated to withstand over 200 degrees and jacketing capable of withstanding moisture, ultraviolet radiation and environmental
exposure. The balance of system piping may be either copper, stainless steel or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) (rate to at least 180
degrees F at 100 pounds per square inch) and insulated with insulation rated to withstand 180 degrees F and jacketing capable of
withstanding moisture, ultraviolet radiation and environmental exposure. All fittings, valves and gauges must be copper, bronze,
stainless steel or brass. All drainback piping to and from collectors must have at least a ¾ inch inside diameter and be mounted with at
least a ¼ inch drop per foot. The collectors must also have a ¼ inch drop per foot. All piping must be supported every eight feet for
copper, stainless steel and aluminum PEX pipe and every three feet for PEX pipe.
‚ High temperature propylene glycol antifreeze solution must be used. To reduce risk of health hazard and to protect system
components from corrosion and freezing high temperature rated propylene glycol, mixed with distilled or de-ionized water must be
used. The heat transfer fluid must provide burst protection to at least -80 degrees F for pressurized systems and burst protection to at
least -20 degrees for drainback systems.
‚ Balance of System: There must be a back-up water heating system. The domestic hot water piping must be fitted with a thermostatic
tempering valve to limit the maximum temperature of the hot water delivered to a set point of 120 degrees F (adjustable). A
temperature monitoring gauge must be installed at the outlet of the storage tank on the feed to the back-up water heater and
downstream of the tempering valve. The system must use a double wall heat exchanger.
‚ Two-Year Installation Warranty: The system must include at least a two-year installation warranty that covers any defect in the
workmanship of the installation at no charge to the owner.
‚ One-Year Equipment Warranty: All major system components must have at minimum a one-year warranty. Collectors must have a
minimum 5 year warranty.
‚ Consumer Education. Installer must provide system owner instructions, a maintenance schedule and information about how to know
whether the system is working properly. An owner’s manual specific to the system must be delivered to the applicant in order to
receive a rebate.

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