Minnesota solar rebates and incentives: 2024 guide
The average Minnesota solar shopper will save $4,691 from the federal tax credit alone. Minnesota's net metering program and sales tax exemption bring down the cost of solar even further.
Updated Mar 12, 2024
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Solar panel systems in Minnesota are expensive, but incentives from the state and federal governments can help you reduce the upfront cost. Between the federal tax credit and other state-specific incentives, you can save thousands on solar panels, making them well worth the investment. Here's how you can lower the cost of solar if you live in Minnesota.
As a Minnesota homeowner, you have access to some great incentives that can substantially improve your return on investing in solar panels. The programs below are some of the most impactful ways to bring down your solar costs.
Incentive | Average Savings | Description |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, formerly the federal investment tax credit (ITC) | $4,691 | Lowers your solar panel system's cost by 30% |
Residential Clean Energy Credit
The Residential Clean Energy Credit, formerly known as the federal investment tax credit (ITC), can reduce your solar panel system's cost by 30%. Your entire system qualifies for this incentive, including equipment, labor, permitting, and sales tax.
The average cost for a 5 kW solar panel system is around $15,635 in Minnesota. Once you factor in the 30% credit, the cost comes down to $10,945.
When you file your federal income taxes, you can claim this incentive as a credit towards your federal tax bill. Just keep in mind that to qualify for the ITC, you need to purchase your system either with cash or a solar loan–if you lease your system, you won't be eligible.
You also need a high enough tax bill, though you can roll over any remaining credit year-to-year until the end of 2034 when the ITC expires. The only time you might be eligible for a direct payment for the ITC is if you're a tax-exempt entity, like a nonprofit organization.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) Fix-up Loan
Minnesota Housing's Fix-up Loan offers homeowners the chance to upgrade their home with affordable loans. The Fix-up Loan provides $2,000 to $75,000 with fixed interest rates and repayment terms up to 20 years.
In addition to the great rebates and incentives above, Minnesota also offers tax exemptions for solar panel systems. The solar sales tax exemption ensures that you won't have to pay a sales tax on your system.
Tax Exemption | Description |
---|---|
Minnesota solar sales tax exemption | You don't need to pay any sales tax on new solar panel systems in Minnesota, saving at least 6.875% of your system costs. |
If you connect your solar panel system to the grid, you can benefit from net metering, one of the best solar panel incentives available in Minnesota. With net metering, you earn credits when you send excess electricity from your solar panels to the grid. When the sun isn't shining and you need to pull electricity from the grid, your utility will apply the credits to your bill. Net metering makes it so you will owe very little, or even nothing, on your electric bills with solar panels.
Minnesotans are eligible to receive compensation for their excess solar generation at the average utility energy rate, which is calculated by subtracting the total annual fixed charges from the utility’s total annual revenue, and dividing the result by the total annual kWh sales. You may also elect to be compensated at flat rate or a Time-of-Day rate through the Simultaneous Purchase and Sale Billing Rate. The average utility energy rate is usually more favorable.
Learn more about Minnesota's net metering programs:
Minnesota doesn't offer any state-specific battery incentives. However, all batteries above 3 kWh in size are eligible for the 30% federal tax credit. In Minnesota, you can also use your battery to boost your energy independence and provide backup power during an outage.
If you're looking for solar installers in Minnesota, here are some popular suggestions:
Is solar worth it in Minnesota?
Solar panels are worth it in Minnesota. If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $23,457 over 20 years on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Minnesota based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace.
Can you get solar panels for free in Minnesota?
How much does it cost to install solar in Minnesota?
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