To offset the cost of installing a solar energy system on your property, TruNorth Solar can make it simple. A simple complimentary evaluation and consultation. A simple report of your property’s expected solar output. Matched to the solar energy incentives available to you in your area.
Minnesota solar energy incentives can offset a large portion of the cost of installing your solar system, and help to greatly reduce or eliminate your energy bill.
Your property is unique. Let TruNorth Solar customize your path to solar with any number of the Minnesota energy incentives listed below. Contract TruNorth Solar today and remember, money isn’t all that you’re saving!
Xcel Solar Rewards
Residential Solar Incentive: $.02 / kWh produced. This incentive gets paid out annually based on production of your solar system. What you produce and consume or produce and export makes no difference. This incentive is paid annually from Xcel based solely on what the system produces regardless of what the power is used for. This payment is received by the homeowner each year for 10 years. There are limits to the size of the system, speak with an energy consultant to evaluate your home’s incentive potential.
This incentive would be in addition to the Federal Investment Tax Credit which is 30% of the final cost of a system, if eligible.
Dakota Electric Residential Solar Incentive Rebate
– This Solar Residential Installation Rebate Incentive is available to anyone who does solar within the Dakota Electric Public Utilities service area who installs a system no greater than 20kW DC.
– The Incentive amount is a flat payment of $500 which would be received upon system completion and submittal of an application that we can help you with.
Minnesota Power – SolarSense Solar Rebate Program
– The 2023 budget was a grand total of $87,675. Which is not much unfortunately.
– Upfront rebate is based on production estimate including tilt, azimuth and shading for first year production only. This is in contrast with the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Incentive that is paid out on actual production over 10 years. The SolarSense rebate is based on the ‘expected’ first year production only.
– Base incentive is $0.27/kWh for 2023 and is First Come, First Served.
– System size maximum of up to 40kW AC, with certain restrictions such as you cannot size your system in comparison to your actual usage. The usage is based on your previous 12 months ACTUAL energy usage. The max payout is $5,000 or 60% of your total cost, whichever is lesser.
*To be fully transparent, this Solar Incentive plays ‘hard to get’. Most years, the application portal opens and closes in the same day and many projects are left without receiving the Minnesota Power SolarSense Rebate. TruNorth Solar does everything in their power to help avoid this, but most importantly we set honest expectations. Discuss this with one of our expert solar consultants here.
This incentive would be in addition to the Federal Investment Tax Credit which is 30% of the final cost of a system, if eligible.
Owatonna Public Utilities – Solar Rebate Program
– The Conserve and Save Program is available to anyone who does solar within the Owatonna Public Utilities service area who installs a system at least 2kW DC in size and less than 40kW AC. To learn more about the difference between AC and DC, not to be confused with the band…click here.
– The Incentive amount is a flat payment of $500 which would be received upon system completion and submittal of an application that we can help you with.
Rochester Public Utilities – Solar Rebate Program
– The Conserve and Save Program is available to anyone who does solar within the Rochester Public Utilities service area who installs a system at least 2kW DC in size and less than 40kW AC. To learn more about the difference between AC and DC, not to be confused with the band…click here.
– The Incentive amount is a flat payment of $500 which would be received upon system completion and submittal of an application that we can help you with.
Austin Utilities – Solar Rebate Program
– The Conserve and Save Program is available to anyone who does solar within the Austin Public Utilities service area who installs a system at least 2kW DC in size and less than 40kW AC. To learn more about the difference between AC and DC, not to be confused with the band…click here.
– The Incentive amount is a flat payment of $500 which would be received upon system completion and submittal of an application that we can help you with.
Brainerd Public Utilities – Renewable Energy Incentive
– Brainerd Public Utilities no longer offers an incentive specific for their customers. The Federal Investment Tax Incentive however may still be available to you. Regardless, many solar projects are financially rewarding WITHOUT utility level solar incentives. Speak with your solar consultant to learn more.
Moorhead Public Service Utility – Renewable Energy Incentive
– Moorhead Public Service Utilities no longer offers an incentive specific for their customers. The Federal Investment Tax Incentive however may still be available to you. Regardless, many solar projects are financially rewarding WITHOUT utility level solar incentives. Speak with your solar consultant to learn more.
Shakopee Public Utilities – Solar Incentive Rebate Program
– The Shakopee Public Utilities Solar Rebate Incentive is available to anyone who does solar within the Shakopee Public Utilities service area who installs a system at least 2kW DC in size and less than 40kW AC. To learn more about the difference between AC and DC, not to be confused with the band…click here.
– The Incentive amount is a flat payment of $500 which would be received upon system completion and submittal of an application that we can help you with.
New Ulm Public Utilities – Solar Electric Rebate Program
– New Ulm Public Utilities no longer offers an incentive specific for their customers. The Federal Investment Tax Incentive however may still be available to you. Regardless, many solar projects are financially rewarding WITHOUT utility level solar incentives. Speak with your solar consultant to learn more.
Grand Rapids Public Utilities Commission
– Grand Rapids Public Utilities no longer offers an incentive specific for their customers. The Federal Investment Tax Incentive however may still be available to you. Regardless, many solar projects are financially rewarding WITHOUT utility level solar incentives. Speak with your solar consultant to learn more.
*Disclaimer: All of the above listed Incentives are available and listed as accurately as possible at the time of writing and subsequent updating. Utilities frequently change incentive amounts and structures; budgets fluctuate annually and fill up throughout the year. It is critical that you speak with an expert solar consultant to review your specific situation for eligibility.
Contact us today to discuss if solar pv makes sense for you or your business.
Solar*Rewards
The Solar*Rewards incentive with Xcel Energy is paid annually at 2 cents per kwh produced in your solar photovoltaic system over 10 years. In addition to the annual incentive payments, you will be lowering your electricity bill as your array produces power. If you produce more than you consume in any given month, excess kilo-watt hours will show up as a credit on your bill.
Qualifications Needed:
You must be an electric residential or business customer of Xcel energy.
You’re not allowed to participate in both the Made in Minnesota incentive program and the Solar*Rewards program.
Your system must be connected to the electrical grid (sorry no batteries).
Your system must be less than 40 kW AC.
Solar thermal systems are not allowed.
Your system must produce less than 120 percent of the customer’s annual energy use, based on the past 12 months of energy use.
As part of the Solar*Rewards contract, customer agrees to convey all of the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) credits produced by the system to Xcel for the 10 year term.
How to get approval for funding:
Contact TruNorth Solar today to get your application started! System must meet all Xcel requirements.
Our team will handle all of the paperwork to complete the Solar*Rewards application, including a valid line diagram and site plan for the proposed site.
Once approved, we construct the array, handle all of the proper inspections and order your Solar Rewards meter from Xcel.
Next thing you know, your have your own clean energy power production facility on site!
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit
The Solar Investment Tax Credit is a 30 percent tax credit offered on solar systems by the Federal government.
