Summary: Thinking about going solar in Minnesota? Discover answers to ten common homeowner questions about solar panel costs, system sizing, energy savings, lifespan, maintenance, winter performance, roof readiness, resale value, and backup power during outages.
Are you thinking about installing solar panels at your property in the next 12 to 18 months? If you’re like a lot of TruNorth Solar customers, you probably have a lot of questions about cost, performance, maintenance, and whether solar energy is a worthwhile investment. As a Minnesotan, you might also be wondering how well solar panels hold up to snowy weather and if your property gets enough sunshine to make the investment pay off.
Solar energy is a practical option for many Minnesota property owners. The key is to understand your energy needs and your property’s potential. From there, TruNorth Solar works with you to design a system that fits your goals.
Here are ten of the most common questions we get from potential customers when they are considering the switch to solar energy.
1. How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
As you can imagine, a home with heavy electricity needs will require a larger solar energy system than a home with lower energy needs. If you’re curious what your energy needs are, reviewing your current electricity bill is a good place to start.
The number of solar panels your home needs depends on how much electricity you use, how much sunlight your property receives, and the type of solar panels you install. Panel efficiency also matters. Higher efficiency panels can produce more on a smaller footprint.
The TruNorth Solar team will review your historical electricity usage, evaluate your property’s sunlight and available installation space, and estimate how much electricity a solar array could generate for you throughout the year. In most cases your property will continue to be connected to the grid, and owners can draw electricity from the grid when their panels are not producing. It also allows them to send excess energy to the grid for a credit on their utility bill.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many panels you need. We customize your system to take into account your energy goals, available space, and budget.
2. Is my home a good candidate for solar energy?
Several factors determine how much electricity your system will be able to produce and how practical an installation will be.
| Roof Orientation & Available Space | -South-facing installations often offer stronger solar production potential -East- and west-facing are also candidates -Usable roof or land space determines number of panels |
| Roof Condition | -Roof should be in good condition prior to installation, as panels can last decades -If roof is older or in poor condition, consider replace it first |
| Shade | -Trees, neighboring buildings, chimneys, and other things can shade panels -Alternatives include removing trees or locating the array elsewhere |
| Electricity Usage | -Consumption determines the size of your system -Heavy energy users can offset utility costs -Actual savings depends on production and utility rates |
| Your Goals | -Lower bills? -Improve sustainability? -Backup power? -Answers to these questions determine the size and type of system |
The best way to determine whether your property is a good candidate for solar is to have an experienced solar installer like TruNorth Solar evaluate your property, electricity usage, and goals.
3. How much does it cost to install solar panels on my home?
The cost of a residential solar energy system varies depending on the size of the system, the equipment selected, the complexity of the installation, and whether or not you add battery storage, among other factors.
When comparing proposals, look beyond total price. Ask for a detailed proposal that is based on your property’s actual usage and site conditions. It outlines cost, estimated production, incentives, and projected financial benefits.
Also consider the quality of the equipment, expected annual electricity production, warranties, workmanship, monitoring capabilities, and the installer’s experience. TruNorth Solar is locally owned and operated and has installed hundreds of systems across the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Our 5-star reviews speak for themselves, as does our work.
4. How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels are built for long-term outdoor use. You can expect them to produce electricity for 25 years or longer.
However, the lifespan of your system is determined by more than just its panels. It also depends on the solar inverter and battery systems, if included. Other factors include weather, installation quality, and ongoing care, all of which affect system performance over time.
Before signing a contract, review all manufacturer’s warranties, performance guarantees, and your installer’s workmanship coverage. Inquire about ongoing system maintenance and whether your installer offers it.
5. How much can I save on my electricity bills with solar?
Your solar energy system will reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from your utility over the decades it is in service. However, your actual savings depends on several factors.
- Household energy consumption. A home that uses more electricity has a greater opportunity to offset utility purchases.
- System production. Roof orientation, shading, weather, panel efficiency, and seasonal daylight all affect the amount of electricity your panels produce.
- Utility billing structure. Net metering programs can offer you credits on your bill for the excess energy your panels produce. Compensation rates vary, so we’ll help you check with your utility company.
- Cost of the system. The cost of the system and any applicable incentives or financing arrangements all affect your overall return on investment.
Solar savings are specific to each property. Review your electricity bills and ask us for a production estimate to understand the potential financial benefits.
6. Will solar panels increase my home’s resale value?
Solar panels can make your home more appealing to buyers who value lower electricity costs, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. A well-maintained system with quality equipment, documented performance, and clear warranty and ownership information make it easy for potential buyers to understand your system’s value.
Local real estate markets vary in the way they value solar energy systems. Your system is best considered a long-term home improvement that may offer energy savings and other benefits while you live in the home.
7. Do solar panels work in Minnesota?
Yes! Minnesota’s cold winters don’t prevent panels from generating electricity. In fact, panels are generally more efficient in colder temperatures than extreme heat, provided they receive sufficient sunlight.
Since Minnesota experiences all four seasons, you can expect seasonal changes in solar production. The longer days of summer provide more opportunities to generate electricity than short winter days do. Heavy cloud cover and snow accumulation can also temporarily reduce production.
Fortunately, properly installed systems can handle typical seasonal weather. For example, freshly fallen snow often slides off or melts off of panels as weather conditions change. TruNorth Solar can help you with snow removal from your panels if required (please don’t attempt this on your own, as improper removal could harm your panels).
8. Do solar panels require maintenance?
One big advantage of solar energy systems is that solar panels generally require little routine maintenance. They have no moving parts and few components subject to mechanical wear. Still, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. If your panels are generating noticeably less electricity than expected, there may be an issue to investigate.
Other system components may need attention over time. Inverters, electrical connections, monitoring equipment, and batteries may all require troubleshooting, repairs, or eventual replacement.
TruNorth Solar offers ongoing maintenance and service for your solar energy system. We can diagnose performance issues and maintain equipment to make long-term ownership easier.
9. Should I replace my roof before installing solar panels?
Maybe. If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life, replacing it before installing solar panels is often the best choice.
Solar panels are intended to remain in place for decades. If you need a new roof only a few years after installation, the panels may need to be removed and reinstalled to allow the roofing work to be done.
TruNorth Solar will evaluate your roof’s condition and suitability before we provide you with a proposal. Depending on your roof’s age, material, and visible wear and tear, we may recommend you have a professional exterior contractor come out and take a look.
If your roof is newer and structurally sound, it is often ready to install solar panels.
10. What happens with my solar panels if the power goes out?
Most standard, grid-connected solar energy systems automatically shut down during a utility outage. This is a safety measure that prevents electricity from flowing back to the grid while utility crews work to restore power.
If you want backup power, add a battery storage system to allow you to operate your system independently from the grid when the power goes out. Discuss your backup needs with us during the initial design process. We can help you compare equipment options and determine which loads you want to keep running.
At TruNorth Solar, we believe you deserve straightforward answers and a system designed around your needs and goals. If you’re considering solar energy for your Minnesota property, get in touch with our team today to explore your options.