Minnesota

Minnesota goes solar with SunPower®

Reduce your carbon footprint with solar energy in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

The state of solar in Minnesota

If you live in Minnesota, you should consider installing solar panels on your home. Why? The North Star State experiences an average of 195 sunny days per year,* providing sufficient sunlight for reliable solar power.

Even though Minnesota ranks 15th in the U.S. for solar production, the state hasn't reached even a quarter of its solar power potential. According to Google's Project Sunroof, if 71% of the buildings in Minnesota installed solar panels, the state's solar energy production would reach 18.7 million MWh AC per year.*

How much solar energy does Minnesota produce?

In the first quarter of 2021, Minnesota generated 1,601.6 MW of solar energy, enough for 215,771 homes. IKEA, in Bloomington, MN, has one of the largest corporate solar systems in Minnesota. It produces 1 MW of solar power, but the Slayton Solar Project is even more significant, producing up to 2 MW of electricity.*

What are the advantages of going solar in Minnesota?

Dumping your utility company and getting solar panels for your home is one of the best financial decisions you can make in Minnesota. Since solar rates are lower than grid electricity rates, switching to solar can save you $25,015 to $33,844 over the next 20 years. Also, the money you save will pay for your new solar system within 7.9 to 10.7 years.*

Bear in mind that solar installation costs in Minnesota have dropped over the past five years, making now a great time to invest in solar panels. Lastly, installing solar panels on your home can increase your property's value by thousands of dollars.

How much does solar cost in Minnesota?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

  • Solar panel quality

  • Size and number of solar panels

  • Labor and permit costs

  • Weather

  • Building energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. In Minnesota, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $14,300 to $15,500, or in other words, from $2.86 to $3.10 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you want to save money on your solar project, explore these solar incentives:

  • Sales tax exemption: Minnesota charges a 7% sales tax. However, you are exempt from paying this tax when buying residential solar panels.*

  • Net metering: All residential solar systems in Minnesota qualify for net metering. The policy ensures that you get paid for excess electricity generated by your solar panels and sent back to the grid.*

  • The federal solar tax credit: Homeowners who purchase their system as opposed to leasing it, can get a tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost of the solar installation.*

  • Xcel Energy Program: The Xcel program is a performance-based incentive that pays you $0.08 for every kWh that your solar system produces. However, only homeowners who live in areas that Xcel Energy services are eligible for this program.

What's the best way to go solar in Minnesota?

Installing the wrong solar system can be an expensive mistake. Avoid such issues by hiring a reputable solar provider for your solar panel installation. When you are ready to go solar, eliminate guesswork and unnecessary expenses by working with a licensed solar contractor that has experience helping homeowners and business owners get the perfect solar solutions for their premises.

Be sure to arrange for a consultation and design that tailors solar solutions to meet your budget, property, and energy needs. If you install premium quality solar systems from reputable brands, they should stand the test of time and boost your property value and complement its aesthetics.

A reputable solar energy company should also help you access every available solar incentive and rebate to help you reduce installation costs.

If you’re ready to get started, we’re happy to help. Simply request a free consultation with SunPower below and we'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.

Start saving with solar! Schedule your online appointment with SunPower.

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