MINNESOTA
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.*
Solar potential in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a great potential for residential solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.5 hours of sunlight per day, which is more than many other states in the United States.
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.*
Cost of solar 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
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.
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.
Advantages?
Some of the most notable advantages include:
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make Minnesota a more sustainable state.
State incentives: Minnesota offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantage?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Minnesota state policies?
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 26% 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.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Minnesota? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Minnesota, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!