Translation:

SES Exemption

Solar Energy Standard (SES) Application for Exemption Notice

In 2013, the Minnesota State Legislature amended the state’s Renewable Energy Standard (“RES”) by adding a Solar Energy Standard (“SES”).1 The RES, established in 2007, requires 25% of energy to come from renewable sources, like wind and hydro, by 2025. The SES, new in 2013, adds to the RES and requires 1.5% of the public utility’s total retail sales to be generated specifically from solar energy by the end of 2020.

Some customer facilities may be exempt from the SES. Costs incurred by Minnesota Power to meet the SES will be excluded from the rates of excluded customer facilities.

The exclusion from the SES applies to two categories of customer facilities. The first includes any customer facility whose primary business purpose is iron mining extraction and processing, to include a scram mining facility.2 The second category includes any customer facility whose primary business purpose is a paper mill, wood products manufacturer, sawmill or oriented strand board manufacturer.3 North American Industry Classification System (“NAICS”) codes can be used to determine if a facility qualifies for exemption. A full listing of approved NAICS codes is listed below.

If you believe you meet the requirements listed above and would like to apply for an exemption from the SES, please follow the steps below:

  1. Complete an application for exemption.
  2. Return a completed application to the address on the form, or email the application to solarprogram@mnpower.com

Solar energy is an important component of our EnergyForward strategy to move towards a cleaner energy future while keeping electricity affordable and reliable. We are bringing more renewable energy, like solar, online so the electricity we deliver will come from a balanced energy supply of one-third renewable, one-third coal and one-third natural gas.

For more information, please visit our solar webpage at http://www.mnpower.com/Solar

For questions or to request a paper application, you may contact Renewable Programs at 218-355-3720.

Click here to download a copy of the SES Application for Exemption Notice.

Approved NAICS Codes:

NAICS Code Category
212210 Iron Ore Mining
321113 Sawmills
321114 Wood Preservation
321211 Hardwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing
321212 Softwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing
321213 Engineered Wood member (Except truss) Mfg.
321214 Truss Manufacturing
321219 Reconstituted Wood Product Mfg.
321911 Wood Window and Door Mfg.
321912 Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber and Planning
321918 Other Millwork (incl. flooring)
321920 Wood Container and Pallet Mfg.
321991 Manufactured Home (mobile Home) Mfg.
321992 Prefabricated Wood Building Mfg.
321999 All Other Misc. Wood Product Mfg.
322110 Pulp Mills
322121 Paper (except Newsprint) Mills
322122 Newsprint Mills
322130 Paperboard Mills
322211 Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Mfg.
322212 Folding Paperboard Box Mfg.
322219 Other Paperboard Container Mfg.
322220 Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Mfg.
322230 Stationery Product Mfg.
322291 Sanitary Paper Product Mfg.
322299 All Other Converted Paper Product Mfg.

1 Minnesota Statute 216B.1691, subd. 2f
2 Minnesota Rules part 6130.0100, subpart 16
3 Minnesota Statute 216B.1691, subd. 2f(d)(1) and (2)


Minnesota Power’s parent company, ALLETE, has entered an agreement to be acquired by a partnership led by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners and start the process to become a private company.

This transaction will not change our operations, strategy or shared purpose and values, and it is business as usual for all of us at Minnesota Power. Learn more at www.ALLETEforward.com.