Skip to main content

Minnesota

Minnesota offers Solar*Rewards and strong community solar programs.

Compare
MN context
Avg residential price: 15.0¢/kWh (2026-01)Emissions: 0.35 kgCO₂/kWh (eGRID)
State pageData
Updated Apr 4·Sources:U.S. EIA Open Data API v2U.S. EIA Open Data API v2All sources →
Energy Freedom Report Card
B70/100
Solar Policy
80
Incentives
75
Rate Environment
60
Battery & Storage
60
EV & Electrification
65
Net metering: UnknownCommunity solar: Unknown
Start with your bill
Pull 12 months of kWh usage and total spend. That is the fastest path to realistic solar + storage sizing.
Check interconnection timelines
Ask your installer how long interconnection typically takes in your utility territory and what documents are required.

Use Minnesota in Our Tools

Get personalized calculations with Minnesota's rates and incentives

Solar ROI
Calculate savings
Decode Bill
Understand costs
Compare States
See differences

title: Solar & Energy in Minnesota state: Minnesota overview: "Minnesota offers SolarRewards and strong community solar programs." tags: ["Community solar", "Net metering", "SolarRewards"] summary: State-specific policies, incentives, and renewable energy information for Minnesota.

Solar & Energy in Minnesota

Minnesota supports solar through utility incentive programs and robust community solar options.

Key Programs

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

  • 30% federal tax credit through 2032

Solar*Rewards (Xcel Energy)

  • Upfront incentive payment
  • Production-based incentives available
  • Varies by program year

Net Metering

  • Available from most utilities
  • Retail rate credit for exports

Community Solar Gardens

  • Largest program in the country
  • Great for renters or shaded roofs
  • Subscribe to local solar projects

Property Tax Exemption

  • Solar equipment exempt from property tax

Sales Tax Exemption

  • Equipment and installation exempt

Getting Started in Minnesota

  1. Check Solar*Rewards availability
  2. Explore community solar options
  3. Review utility-specific programs
  4. Calculate incentive stack

Visit Minnesota Department of Commerce or use our Solar Sizing Tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota

Does Minnesota have net metering?▾
Net metering availability in Minnesota varies by utility. Contact your local utility for current policies and export compensation rates.
Is community solar available in Minnesota?▾
Community solar options in Minnesota are currently limited or not widely available. Check EnergySage or your utility's website for any new programs.
What solar incentives are available in Minnesota?▾
In addition to the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Minnesota offers: Federal clean energy credit (demo). Incentive details change frequently — use our Incentive Finder tool for the latest information and verify with official sources.
What's the average electricity rate in Minnesota?▾
Demo only: electricity pricing varies by provider, plan, time-of-use, and fees. Replace with real rate data later. For accurate, up-to-date pricing, check your most recent utility bill or use our Bill Decoder tool. Higher rates generally mean faster solar payback periods.
How long does solar installation take in Minnesota?▾
The physical installation typically takes 1-3 days for a residential system. However, the full process — from signing a contract to having your system producing power — usually takes 2-4 months in Minnesota. This includes site assessment, permitting, installation, inspection, and utility interconnection approval. Timelines vary by contractor and local jurisdiction.
Find all incentives for Minnesota →

Major Metro Areas

Explore solar conditions and costs for specific cities in Minnesota.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul4 sun hrs · 14.5¢/kWh
View →
Rochester4.1 sun hrs · 13.8¢/kWh
View →

Related

Net Metering Shifts: A State-by-State Pattern

A pattern-based view of how net metering changes tend to roll out and what homeowners can do to stay oriented.

news

Community Solar Enrollment Checklist

A concise checklist of what to verify before signing a community solar subscription.

news

Community Solar Programs Expand Nationwide

How community solar programs are making renewable energy accessible to renters and homeowners alike.

news

Community Solar Red Flags

A short list of contract and marketing red flags to avoid surprises in community solar subscriptions.

guides

Community Solar 101

Understand what community solar is, how subscriptions work, and who it's best for.

guides

Alabama

Alabama's solar market is growing with improving net metering policies and utility programs.

states
Was this helpful?

Your Energy Digest

Get a personalized weekly email with policy changes, savings tips, and tool recommendations for your state.

I'm interested in

Weekly emails. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam.