Solar Panels Cost 8.1k-18k in Blaine, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $8.1k-$18k in Blaine, MN | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Blaine, MN in 2024?

Going solar averages out to $3.87 per watt in Blaine, MN in October, 2024.

Applying this cost, we are able to conclude that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) your solar panel system can generate, you will need to spend, on average, $3,870 for its installation. A 5 kW solar installation in Blaine is typically approximately $13,545 after accounting for the 30% federal income tax credit. Remember, a larger system may be necessary to satisfy your energy needs effectively.

On the left side, choose your county to see the average roof size and the maximum capacity of solar panels for homes in your area. Displayed below is a summary of the price, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Blaine: $13,545US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Blaine: 11 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Blaine: $5,346US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Blaine

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Blaine.

Roof size 697sq. ft.
Capacity 9.75kW DC
Electricity 10.9kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in Blaine, MN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The average electricity cost for Blaine consumers is $102.90 per month, with a usage of 739 kWh. Compact apartments are also encompassed in the figures noted in the previous sentence. The lower energy use in these types of residences impacts those averages.

In October 2024, the electricity rate in Blaine, MN averages 13.93¢ per kWh.

In Blaine, an average electricity consumer's needs probably will be completely accounted for by a solar system of 7 kW or higher. Before any incentives, a 7 kWsetup will cost approximately $27,090, but with a 30% federal tax credit, the price drops to $18,963.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Blaine

Presented on the left, you will find a price breakdown for different solar panel system sizes set up in Blaine. Although a more extensive solar installation does come with a larger expense, it also offers greater electricity savings and higher income tax credits.

In the calculator provided down and to the right, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $102.90 electric bill for Blaine. For a more detailed estimate, change the $102.90 with your average electricity bill amount.

System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $608 a year
Est. Price
$8,127
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,346 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $51
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.92 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 88 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 4,760 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $811 a year
Est. Price
$10,836
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $68
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.56 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 118 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,347 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,014 a year
Est. Price
$13,545
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $85
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.21 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 147 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,933 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,217 a year
Est. Price
$16,254
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $101
  • Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.85 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 177 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,520 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,420 a year
Est. Price
$18,963
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,141 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $103
  • Full payback in 15 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.91 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 179 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,669 mi less a year

Blaine Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

For rural farms and small businesses, the REAP Grant might currently cover between 80% and 100% of the expenses for installing solar energy or wind energy systems. Think you might be eligible? Confirm your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

With the availability of a 30% federal income tax credit, solar energy becomes a practical solution for nearly all homeowners, notably in various parts of the country. Alongside federal incentives, there are many state and local efforts to support solar energy adoption.

Minnesota residents have access to 12 solar rebate and incentive programs from different utilities and governmental organizations.

Owatanna Public Utilities - Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $500

Commercial and residential customers of OPU, the municipal power utility for the city of Owatonna, may be entitled to rebates on solar PV systems and water heaters. Rebates add to existing federal tax incentives. New PV installations will yield a $500 rebate regardless of their rated capacity. Water heaters yield a rebate based on the area of the panels; the current rate is $15 per square foot. To qualify, systems should meet all city, state, and federal standards and be interconnected to the grid under a net metering contract. Interested customers should schedule an energy audit with an OPU participating solar contractor.

Minnesota Power - SolarSense Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $10,000

Minnesota Power customers may be entitled to rebates on new solar photovoltaic systems. To qualify, a system must meet all state and federal standards, be installed by a certified solar contractor, and be interconnected to the grid under a net metering contract. The incentive amount is determined through an NREL tool which considers the system's rated capacity and other design characteristics. Current rates are 56 cents/estimated kilowatt hour of production in the first year of the system's use. Minnesota Power must preapprove all incentives. Customers must therefore apply for the rebate before purchasing their system. Additional information is available from the website.

Value of Solar Tariff

Value:Varies

Net metering in Minnesota is set to be replaced by a Value of Solar (VOST) tariff program standardized by the Department of Commerce. No utility has implemented such a program as of 2021, though Xcel Energy is exploring retail-rate tariffs in a similar vein to VOST. VOST operates as an "inflow-outflow" program. Customers are technically billed for all electricity they generate, including excess generation (EG) sent to the grid. Rather than paying for all generated energy, however, they will only owe the cost of their "nettable energy" in that cycle. Nettable energy is equal to total power generated at the standard billed cost minus EG at a different "credit rate." As with net metering, should generation exceed consumption, the remaining credits will be applied to subsequent cycles. VOST contracts last for 20 years; credit rates are fixed for the length of the contract. "Virtual VOST" provisions exist to compensate microgrid subscribers in proportion.

Farm Opportunities Loan Program

Value:Varies

New sustainable farm equipment may be eligible for special financing through Minnesota's Farm Opportunity Loan Program. The program is administered by the state Rural Finance Authority in conjunction with various funding partners. Loans can cover up to 80% of purchase and installation costs. The RFA assumes responsibility for servicing 45% of the principal up to $45,000. Interest on the RFA portion is 3%; the remaining 55% will accrue interest at the current market rate. Additional information is available from the RFA website.

Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) Tariff

Value:Varies

Utilities in Minnesota are required to participate in Community-Based Energy Development tariff programs (C-BED) to support the construction and onboarding of new renewable energy facilities, including solar and wind farms. C-BED contracts last for 20 years. During the term, the state will pay utilities at a fixed rate for the energy they produce. The underlying goal is for utilities to more easily recoup the costs for their renewable facilities. Additional information is available from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website.

Value-Added Stock Loan Participation Program

Value:Varies

The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority (RFA) operates a stock financing program to aid farmers in purchasing shares of nearby wind farms or biomass energy facilities. Loans are offered by private banking partners, though the RFA sets loan terms and low interest rates for up to 45% of the principal. Qualifying applicants must not be worth more than $450,000. Additional information is available from the RFA website.

Fix-Up Loan

Value:Varies

Minnesota homeowners making energy efficiency or accessibility improvements may be eligible for special loans from the state Housing Finance Agency (MHFA). "Fix-Up Loans" have a maximum of $15,000 in principal at market-rate interest. Applicants have direct access to MHFA lending partners and can negotiate loan terms. They may also use the contractors and builders of their choice. Lending partners differ between the 11-county Twin Cities area and the rest of the state. Additional information is available from the MHFA website.

Rural Minnesota Energy Board PACE Program

Value:Varies

The St. Paul Port Authority operates a PACE program in Duluth, Mankato, and certain Twin Cities suburbs and exurbs. Property owners will have access to an open market of local lenders offering competitive loans and terms for energy efficiency improvements. Effectively, funding comes from the government; repayment will therefore take the form of a tax lien senior to the property's mortgage. Residential structures are not eligible for PACE loans due to regulatory concerns from the FHFA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are prohibited from acquiring a mortgage with an active PACE lien. Additional information is available from the Port Authority website.

Minnesota PACE Program (MinnPACE)

Value:Varies

The St. Paul Port Authority operates a PACE program in Duluth, Mankato, and certain Twin Cities suburbs and exurbs. Property owners will have access to an open market of local lenders offering competitive loans and terms for energy efficiency improvements. Effectively, funding comes from the government; repayment will therefore take the form of a tax lien senior to the property's mortgage. Residential structures are not eligible for PACE loans due to regulatory concerns from the FHFA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are prohibited from acquiring a mortgage with an active PACE lien. Additional information is available from the Port Authority website.

Interconnection Standards

Value:Varies

Distributed generation and interconnection practices are standardized by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Standards were last updated in 2019 and continue to be amended regularly. Unlike states which use tiers and levels to organize energy systems, Minnesota uses permit processes as benchmarks. Systems at a qualifying capacity level may be eligible for a "Fast Track" permit review. All systems must follow recognized standards such as those set by IEEE or UL. Customers may be required by their utility to carry liability insurance coverage or install additional safety features.

Renewable Development Fund (RDF)

Value:Varies

Xcel Energy has administered a Renewable Development Fund since 1999. The fund's annual budget amounts to $9 million, the result of a state-set rate per nuclear waste reservoir at the Prairie Island, Minnesota plant. Additional funding comes from a surcharge on Xcel customer bills in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Funding supports incentive programs and other initiatives to adopt renewable energy. The University of Minnesota's Institute for the Environment also taps into the fund for its own research. Additional information is available from the Xcel website.

Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program

Value:Varies

Solar*Rewards is the formal name for Xcel Energy's net metering and distributed generation tariff incentive programs nationwide. Under Minnesota law, renewable energy customers hold ownership of renewable energy credits (RECs) they generate. With a Solar*Rewards contract, the customer agrees to sell all RECs to the utility for a fixed amount of time and have a bidirectional meter installed on their system to track energy sent back to the grid. In exchange, the utility will provide fair compensation for both excess generation and credits accrued. To qualify for incentives, a new PV system must pass an engineering audit and not exceed 20 kW of DC capacity. Leased systems do not qualify for Solar*Rewards contracts. Additional information is available from the Xcel website.

Are solar panels worth it in Minnesota?

If your plan is to stay in your home past the time it takes to pay off your solar system, installing solar panels is a good move in Blaine. A 5 kW solar system in Blaine, MN might save you an average of $11,151 over 20 years, with the break even point usually being 11 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Blaine, MN

The lack of solar panels or an alternative energy backup means you'll miss out on the earlier mentioned savings and be entirely reliant on your electric utility for power. The news has given several examples showing that total dependence on your utility isn't always the best idea.

Residents in Blaine have encountered an average of 0.73 utility outages per year in recent times. The average duration of each outage is 85.31 minutes. During severe events like construction accidents, overloaded power grids or hurricanes, these times can grow significantly longer.

A solar panel system, whether or not it has a backup battery, could help reduce the impact of future outages you might encounter.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Anoka County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Blaine, MN?

Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems come with a greater upfront cost, but the price per watt is reduced. Individuals often find that installing a solar system that can replace their electric bill is very advantageous. This method leads to maximum savings.

Make & Model - Just like other industries, the solar energy sector features a wide range of solar panel and mounting equipment brands and designs. Given the particular system preferences an contractor might have, selecting a highly rated contractor is crucial. The utilization of high-quality materials is likely to result in a more favorable long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - It's obvious why monocrystalline panels are now the preferred option in the industry. These panels are more expensive, yet they provide more energy. Many installers tend to utilize panels made from this material.

Your Property - Every property and home is distinct. Sloped land, trees, or other considerations can make the installation more difficult. Many solar installers these days are able to utilize satellite imagery to assess your home and factor in these aspects in the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Companies offer different wages to their employees, and these costs are eventually borne by the consumers. Often, businesses paying more in wages also enjoy higher ratings for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Depending on the location, permitting and utility interconnection fees will influence your installation price. Reliable installers will factor these costs into your initial quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.

See what solar panels cost in other MN cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Blaine?

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Solar Farm

St. Paul, MN(651) 271-8410

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Dividend Finance

San Francisco, CA(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Sundial Energy

St. Louis Park, MN(612) 439-9591

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Blaine, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As of October, 2024, the average cost for solar panels in Blaine, MN is $3.87/W. For a 5 kW solar panel system, the total cost in Blaine, MN after federal tax credits is around $13,545.

  • Residents of Minnesota can currently take advantage of 12 rebates and incentives offered by various utilities and government bodies. Moreover, the 30% federal tax credit is accessible to nearly everyone.

  • Although cash payments offer the greatest savings, numerous financing options for solar panels now exist that are also beneficial. Many installers work with financing partners and will include this information in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, homeowners in Blaine, MN can expect 5 kW solar panels to pay off in 11 years, with an estimated $11,151 in electricity savings during a 20-year span.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-10-01