Minnesota lawmakers hope ombudsman will help resolve solar connection disputes

Minnesota solar developers frustrated with the process of connecting their projects to the power grid will soon have a new place to turn with questions and resolve disputes.

State lawmakers recently passed legislation calling on the state Public Utilities Commission to hire an interconnection ombudsman to provide clean energy companies with information, guidance and mediation on how to connect projects of 10 megawatts and less to the grid.

The rules are a response to years of complaints from solar companies about disputes with utilities, most notably Xcel Energy, that have contributed to years of delays in connecting some projects.

“We hope to have a platform that understands the entire connection process and helps resolve any misunderstandings that may arise,” said Logan O’Grady, executive director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association.

The bill says the ombudsman will monitor disputes and serve as a mediator between customers and investor-owned utilities. He is expected to review policies, convene stakeholder groups and assess ways to reduce conflicts.

O’Grady said customers, installers and developers can contact the ombudsman for assistance with issues related to rooftop, commercial or community solar projects.

The spokesperson does not intend to eliminate the state’s existing call dispute resolution process, which can last more than a month and require mediation if unresolved issues remain.

O’Grady said he hoped the appointment of an interconnection ombudsman would allow some disputes to be resolved more effectively and provide a new option for developers who do not want to devote the time and attention of filing a formal complaint.

Complaints from solar developers have been mixed, but some have involved inaccurate information that has led to “weeks of calls to clear up a simple misunderstanding,” O’Grady said. The hope is that an industry-experienced advocate might be more adept at answering those questions or knowing who to contact at utilities for guidance.

State Rep. Patty Acomb, a suburban Democrat and chairwoman of the House Finance and Climate and Energy Policy Committee, said the ombudsman’s work likely would not be met with skepticism because it comes from an independent source.

Solar company leaders support the new position. Bobby King, Minnesota program director for Solar United Neighbors, said the ombudsman could “centralize” information, advocate for interconnectivity, create solutions to streamline the process and avoid litigation. “I think it’s a positive step in the right direction,” King said.

Michael Allen, CEO of All Energy Solar, said the ombudsman would provide “unbiased information” to the Commerce Department, the Public Utilities Commission, installers and utilities. He also believes the ombudsman could reduce the number of disputes that end up with the Public Utilities Commission.

Marty Morud, CEO and owner of TruNorth Solar, said he has had few problems with Xcel but sees the ombudsman as a resource to help get utilities to respond if emails and phone calls from installers go unanswered.

More than a dozen states already have positions similar to call ombudsmen, including California, Massachusetts and New York. Sky Stanfield, an attorney who works with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, said states approach ombudsmen differently, and not all require them to have the technical skills Minnesota is looking for.

She added that if someone looked at all the disputes and detected patterns, the Public Utilities Commission could better target rulemaking to problem areas.

“I think hiring someone whose job is to keep up with what’s going on is a good move,” Stanfield said.

To be effective, the ombudsman must be “empowered” by the Public Utilities Commission and accepted as an objective mediator by utilities and clean energy developers, she said.

The Legislature has created an initial budget of $150,000. The ombudsman position, which has not yet been announced, is expected to be filled this year.

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