Solar Opportunities - Minnesota

Solar Offerings and Incentives

All across Minnesota, it is possible to find a qualified contractor to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible to purchase solar power without actually installing the equipment on your property.  These community or shared solar opportunities are listed below.  Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to claim the available state and federal tax incentives.

State and Local Incentives

Wind and Solar-Electric (PV) Systems Exemption  

Minnesota offers a real property tax exemption for solar photovoltaic systems. The exemption covers 100% of the added property value of the system. More information on this tax exemption can be found here.

Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption   

Minnesota also offers a 100% sales tax exemption for the purchase of solar water heat, solar space heat, solar thermal process heat, photovoltaic, and solar pool heating systems. More information can be found here.

Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Minnesota allows counties and cities to offer rebates or credits on property or sales tax to residential and commercial property owners who install renewable energy systems on their properties. This includes solar water heat and photovoltaic systems among other renewables. More information on eligibility requirements and if your city or county offers these rebates can be found here.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local Projects

Washington County Solar Farm

This solar farm allows residential customers to purchase solar power directly in lieu of putting solar panels on their property.

Eligibility: Customers of Xcel energy

More information can be found here.

Wright-Hennepin Electric Community Solar

This program is a partnership between the Clean Energy Collective and Wright-Hennepin Electric. Each individual who purchases panels  receives a credit on their electricity bill that can potentially cover the whole bill.

Eligibility: Wright-Hennepin Electric customer

More information can be found hereor call (800) 646-0323.

Prospect Park Solar Garden

Description: This solar garden is a project of the Prospect Park East River Improvement Association. PPRIA will sell solar power to residents and businesses. After buying the shares, residents receive bill credits on their utility bill either reducing or even eliminating the bill.

More information can be found here.

Lake Region Electric Cooperative

The co-op allows its members to buy 1-10 panels of a solar array, reducing the household’s reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.

Eligibility: The Community Solar Program is available to all Lake Region Electric Cooperative members.

More information can be found here or call (800) 552-7658

Northern Sun Community Solar Garden

This solar garden will provide households the opportunity to buy solar power without having to install panels on their own property. The rate is $950 per 205 watt unit.

Eligibility: Xcel Customer

More information can be found here.