Subdivision 1. Solar easement. "Solar easement" means a right, whether or not stated in the form of a restriction, easement, covenant, or condition, in any deed, will, or other instrument executed by or on behalf of any owner of land or solar skyspace for the purpose of ensuring adequate exposure of a solar energy system as defined in section 216C.06, subdivision 17, to solar energy.

Subd. 1a. Wind easement. "Wind easement" means a right, whether or not stated in the form of a restriction, easement, covenant, or condition, in any deed, will, or other instrument executed by or on behalf of any owner of land or air space for the purpose of ensuring adequate exposure of a wind power system to the winds.

Subd. 2. Like any conveyance. Any property owner may grant a solar or wind easement in the same manner and with the same effect as a conveyance of an interest in real property. The easements shall be created in writing and shall be filed, duly recorded, and indexed in the office of the recorder of the county in which the easement is granted. No duly recorded easement shall be unenforceable on account of lack of privity of estate or privity of contract; such easements shall run with the land or lands benefited and burdened and shall constitute a perpetual easement, except that an easement may terminate upon the conditions stated therein or pursuant to the provisions of section 500.20.

Subd. 3. Required contents. Any deed, will, or other instrument that creates a solar or wind easement shall include, but the contents are not limited to:

(a) a description of the real property subject to the easement and a description of the real property benefiting from the solar or wind easement; and

(b) for solar easements, a description of the vertical and horizontal angles, expressed in degrees and measured from the site of the solar energy system, at which the solar easement extends over the real property subject to the easement, or any other description which defines the three dimensional space, or the place and times of day in which an obstruction to direct sunlight is prohibited or limited;

(c) a description of the vertical and horizontal angles, expressed in degrees, and distances from the site of the wind power system in which an obstruction to the winds is prohibited or limited;

(d) any terms or conditions under which the easement is granted or may be terminated;

(e) any provisions for compensation of the owner of the real property benefiting from the easement in the event of interference with the enjoyment of the easement, or compensation of the owner of the real property subject to the easement for maintaining the easement;

(f) any other provisions necessary or desirable to execute the instrument.

Subd. 4. Enforcement. A solar or wind easement may be enforced by injunction or proceedings in equity or other civil action.

Subd. 5. Depreciation, not appreciation counted for taxes. Any depreciation caused by any solar or wind easement which is imposed upon designated property, but not any appreciation caused by any easement which benefits designated property, shall be included in the net tax capacity of the property for property tax purposes.

History: 1978 c 786 s 21; 1981 c 356 s 248; 1982 c 563 s 16; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 10; 1988 c 719 art 5 s 84; 1989 c 329 art 13 s 20; 2007 c 136 art 4 s 15; 2008 c 296 art 1 s 25; 2010 c 333 art 1 s 33; 2012 c 244 art 1 s 76