Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
Minnesota
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Pool Heating
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Maximum Incentive:
None
Administrator:
Department of Revenue
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Industrial, Residential
Last Updated:
07/31/2020

Eligibility Criteria

EligibilitySectorsTechnologies
%100.0000
Commercial
Industrial
Residential
Solar Water Heat
Solar Space Heat
Solar Thermal Electric
Solar Thermal Process Heat
Solar Photovoltaics
Solar Pool Heating

Summary

In Minnesota, solar-energy systems purchased on or after August 1, 2005, are exempt from the state's sales tax. Solar energy systems are defined as:

"a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful purposes including heating and cooling buildings or other energy-using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy." M.S. 297A.67, subd. 29.

Thus the exemption is very broad and could apply to solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water-heating systems and solar space-heating systems. All components of these systems are exempt, including panels, wiring, pipes, pumps and racks. Buyers must complete Minnesota Department of Revenue Form ST3 "Certificate of Exemption" in order to claim the exemption. Sellers are required to keep the form in their files for tax reference. This incentive has no expiration date.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
Minn. Stat. § 297A.67, Subd. 2907/13/200508/01/2005