Minnesota is thought extra for lakes than it’s for the solar. However with falling solar panel costs, accessibility of solar power within the North Star State is rising.
The worth of photo voltaic panels has dropped by 52% within the final decade, in keeping with the Solar Energy Industries Association. Photo voltaic incentives, rebates and tax credits can deliver the cost of solar panels down additional.
There are a pair strong state-level incentives in Minnesota. Net metering policies help you achieve credit from sending the surplus power generated by your photo voltaic panel system again to the grid. These credit help you pull power from the grid outdoors of peak sunlight hours. The state additionally presents gross sales and property tax exemptions for photo voltaic panel programs.
Earlier than making a decision about going photo voltaic, we recommend doing all your analysis, comparing quotes from multiple solar installers and considering by whether or not your own home is an effective candidate for photo voltaic panels. Here is what that you must know — beginning with the best solar companies working inside Minnesota.
Greatest nationwide photo voltaic corporations in Minnesota
Minnesota at present has 58 photo voltaic installers and builders, according to the SEIA. As photo voltaic panels develop in reputation, the variety of installers within the state will seemingly enhance to maintain up with demand.
Discovering the fitting photo voltaic installer on your house is essential. You must seek for an installer that matches inside your finances, can meet your timeline and presents the merchandise you need. It is also necessary to learn buyer evaluations and get a number of quotes from completely different installers. We have compiled an inventory of solar panel installers that stand out available in the market, however remember to do your personal analysis earlier than signing a contract.
SunPower Photo voltaic
Greatest photo voltaic panels
If you happen to’re in search of top-of-the-line photo voltaic panels, SunPower is your most suitable option. However do not write it off when you’re in search of a much less flashy set up that can get the job performed. This 12 months it began putting in Qcells panels, which ought to make an set up from the longest-tenured firm on our record obtainable to extra folks.
Tesla Photo voltaic
Most inexpensive
Tesla’s photo voltaic department appears to be the least beloved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Photo voltaic Roof appears to get extra love.
If value is the factor you will not budge on, think about Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs high quality panels and makes the closest factor there’s to a family identify in photo voltaic storage: the Powerwall.
The place you would possibly miss out is customer support. Dialogue on-line appears to counsel Tesla’s service is a little bit of of venture.
Native photo voltaic panel corporations in Minnesota
Positioned in St. Paul Minnesota, All Vitality Photo voltaic presents business providers US-wide and residential installations in Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. The corporate can present all-around service together with photo voltaic panel set up, roofing restore, battery storage and EV charging.
The way to decide which photo voltaic firm in Minnesota is finest for me
Listed below are some ideas when choosing a solar installer:
1. Get a number of quotes and evaluate: That is presumably the only most necessary step. You’ll be able to’t know when you’re getting ripped off with out checking a quote in opposition to one thing else.
2. Ask you installer questions: A good installer should not be afraid of questions. If you happen to really feel you are getting the run-around, ask different installers the identical questions and evaluate their solutions.
3. Discuss to your neighbors who’ve photo voltaic panels: Ask your neighbor how properly their chosen firm communicated, caught to the schedule, navigated the allowing course of and supported them after set up. If the corporate has a referral program, you could possibly kick a couple of hundred {dollars} your neighbor’s method, too.
4. Perceive your native incentives: Ensure you know whether or not your native authorities and utility have solar-friendly policies that may make photo voltaic a safer monetary wager.
5. Learn evaluations and complaints: On-line evaluations aren’t the gospel fact, however they’re helpful for educating your self on the problems that may crop up and customary experiences that prospects have had with an organization.
6. Examine licenses and certifications: You’ll be able to test the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners for licensed installers close to you. There are different certifying organizations although, so ask installers the place their licensure comes from.
7. Calculate your financial savings: If an organization appears to be promising an excessive amount of, do not commit and examine additional.
Value of photo voltaic panels in Minnesota
Here is a take a look at the common money value for a typical photo voltaic panel system in Minnesota earlier than factoring in tax credit and incentives, in keeping with information from FindEnergy.com.
Common value of photo voltaic panels in Minnesota
| Typical system dimension (kW) | Value per watt | Complete put in value | Value after 30% federal tax credit score | |
| Minnesota | 7 | $4.03 | $28,210 | $19,747 |
| Nationwide common | 8.6 | $3.67 | $31,558 | $22,091 |
The next interactive map gives the common complete money value, value per watt and system dimension for a photo voltaic panel system in your state, in keeping with information from FindEnergy.com. Costs proven don’t characterize rebates from tax credit or state incentives. Sure states haven’t any FindEnergy photo voltaic information and are grayed out on the map.
The way to pay for photo voltaic panels
There are a number of methods to finance solar panels on your house, every with its professionals and cons. Listed below are the most typical financing choices:
Buy the system upfront: This selection requires you to have the money obtainable to pay for the system, and with a median value of greater than $20,000, that is not straightforward. If you happen to do have the money, you may make the acquisition extra seamless and keep away from financing prices. If photo voltaic panels are in your future, think about saving up for them with a high-yield savings account.
Finance the system with a photo voltaic mortgage: Photo voltaic loans are sometimes supplied by the photo voltaic installer, normally in partnership with a monetary establishment. This selection may be faster to entry than different kinds of financing, however you need to be sure to’re getting one of the best deal.
Different kinds of financing: You should use different kinds of loans to pay for photo voltaic panels. Home equity loans and lines of credit are sometimes used to pay for house enhancements, and will have higher charges than photo voltaic loans. They’re secured by your own home, so be sure to pays them again otherwise you threat foreclosures. Personal loans are typically unsecured, however typically include greater charges and shorter phrases.
Signal a photo voltaic lease or energy buy settlement: If you happen to signal a solar lease or PPA, you will not personal the photo voltaic panel system. This implies you will not qualify for incentives or tax credit and your long-term financial savings will probably be decrease. Nonetheless, photo voltaic leases and PPAs are extra inexpensive than buying the system outright.
Minnesota photo voltaic panel incentives or rebates
Whereas the price of photo voltaic panels has decreased considerably lately, a photo voltaic panel system remains to be a big investment and you need to think about all angles earlier than committing to a system. These angles embody the incentives, rebates and tax credits photo voltaic panels qualify for.
On the federal stage, the residential clean energy credit presents a tax credit score price 30% of the price of a system to residents who purchase and set up photo voltaic panels on their house. This credit score, previously often called the funding tax credit score, was elevated and prolonged when the Inflation Reduction Act handed in August 2022. To use for the federal photo voltaic tax credit score, fill out IRS form 5695 (PDF). The IRS gives directions for how to fill out this form.
Based mostly on the common value of photo voltaic panels in Minnesota, this federal tax credit score may save as a lot as $7,618 and produce the common photo voltaic panel value all the way down to $17,778. There isn’t any cap on this credit score, so you may declare the total 30% irrespective of how a lot your system prices. You can even mix this tax credit score with different incentives on the state and native stage. After you apply for this credit score, you’ll obtain 30% of the price of your photo voltaic system in credit score while you file your federal tax return.
There are a number of Minnesota photo voltaic incentives that you could be qualify for, relying on the place you reside within the state. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency presents a extra full record. Listed below are a couple of to learn about in Minnesota.
Minnesota photo voltaic incentives
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Power SolarSense Rebate | Minnesota Energy prospects with grid-tied photo voltaic programs might obtain as much as 60% of the price of their photo voltaic panels or $5,000 by this lottery-based program. |
| Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards | Residents in Xcel Vitality’s service space have been apply for this performance-based incentive since Jan. 3, 2023. The primary 75 candidates obtain $0.02 per kWh of photo voltaic manufacturing for as much as 10 years, with a waitlist to be created if there are greater than 75 candidates. |
| Dakota Electric Association EnergyWise Rebates | Dakota Electrical Affiliation presents a number of rebates to its prospects by a partnership with the EnergyWise program. Clients who set up photo voltaic panels obtain a one-time $500 rebate. |
| Owatonna Public Utilities Conserve & Save | Residential prospects in Owatonna Public Utilities’ service space qualify for a $500 rebate after putting in a 2 kW or bigger photo voltaic system. |
| Net metering | Residents can ship extra photo voltaic power again to the facility grid in change for credit on their electrical energy payments. To qualify for web metering, you need to personal your system and it should stay grid-tied. |
| Solar energy sales tax exemption | Photo voltaic panels are exempt from Minnesota’s state gross sales tax. |
| Property tax exemption | Photo voltaic programs could also be exempt from property tax beneath state regulation. |
Set up components to think about
Earlier than signing a contract with an installer or transferring ahead with set up, it is necessary to think about whether or not photo voltaic panels will probably be an excellent match on your house. Listed below are a couple of components to consider earlier than set up day.
- Your roof. The age and situation of your roof are necessary to consider. In case your roof is older or wants upkeep, you might want to switch or restore it earlier than it may possibly deal with photo voltaic panels. The size, shape and slope of your roof have an effect on how environment friendly a photo voltaic panel system will be. The Department of Energy says solar panels will be most efficient on roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 levels.
- Your neighborhood. Some states have handed solar rights laws, which prohibit house owner associations from banning photo voltaic panels. Nonetheless, Minnesota has not handed any legal guidelines relating to HOA oversight in terms of photo voltaic panels. Earlier than signing a photo voltaic contract, remember to analysis whether or not photo voltaic panels are allowed in your neighborhood and if there are particular necessities that you must learn about.
- Your insurance coverage plan. After your photo voltaic panels are put in, contact your homeowner’s insurance company to replace your plan so it covers your photo voltaic system. Most traditional house owner’s insurance policies can cowl photo voltaic panels without having a separate plan, however you need to test along with your company to study your coverage’s particulars.
- Your location. Minnesota tends to get less sun and more snow per 12 months than the US common. Photo voltaic panels will generate essentially the most electrical energy in the event that they obtain no less than 4 hours of direct daylight every day. Based mostly on the quantity of snow and solar Minnesota receives, photo voltaic panels within the North Star State seemingly will not generate as a lot energy as photo voltaic programs in Florida, for instance.
- Your landlord. If you happen to lease your own home, you might not be allowed to put in photo voltaic panels. Examine along with your landlord or administration firm to be taught extra about what your lease permits. If photo voltaic panels aren’t an choice for you, think about community solar instead. Group photo voltaic enables you to pay a month-to-month subscription to entry solar energy generated at one other location (normally close by). In change, you obtain credit score in your power payments. The subscription price is about at a decrease charge than the worth of the invoice credit, so you find yourself saving cash. Minnesota is among the leading states for community solar, with 847 megawatts of put in capability from group photo voltaic tasks in 2022.
Learn extra: Need one thing smaller than a whole-home photo voltaic system? See our picks for one of the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
How we consider photo voltaic corporations
The businesses we listed above as “one of the best” are curated from CNET’s best solar companies record. Firms making one of the best record are scored on the tools, warranties and customer support they provide. Then, we be certain that these suggestions can be found in your state. You’ll be able to learn a full breakdown of how we review solar companies here.
Firms listed beneath the native installers have been chosen in a much less rigorous method. We selected them as a result of they supplied one thing distinctive or notable to prospects within the state, they appeared well-regarded by web reviewers or as a result of they have been one of many few installers we may discover info on within the state.
Whether or not we have accomplished a full overview on an organization or not, it is at all times a good suggestion to get a number of quotes from completely different installers earlier than selecting an organization.
Minnesota solar energy FAQs
How do photo voltaic panels decrease power payments?
The upfront value of photo voltaic panels is substantial, however as soon as the system is put in and working, you will not want to attract as a lot energy from the grid. As a substitute, you may energy your own home with the electrical energy produced by the photo voltaic panels, which results in decrease power payments. You can even obtain invoice credit when your photo voltaic panels ship electrical energy again to the grid by web metering, additional decreasing your invoice.
Are photo voltaic panels price it in Minnesota?
Sure, photo voltaic panels is usually a good funding for Minnesota residents. Minnesotans usually have decrease power payments than the nationwide common, however the price of photo voltaic panels in Minnesota can also be decrease than in different states. The quantity of power a photo voltaic panel system can produce will depend upon location, system dimension and several other different components. If you happen to stay in an space that receives plenty of daylight and are hoping to decrease power payments, photo voltaic panels are an excellent choice.
How can I discover a photo voltaic installer in Minnesota?
Because the variety of photo voltaic installers grows in Minnesota, it may possibly really feel overwhelming to type by the choices. Take the time to analysis your choices, learn buyer testimonials and evaluations on a number of websites and get a number of quotes from completely different installers. You’ll be able to start by reviewing CNET’s picks for the top solar companies, though you need to affirm whether or not an installer operates in your space.
