Solar Panels Cost 0k-0k in Brown County, MN | December, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $0k-$0k in Brown County, MN | December, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Brown County, MN in 2024?

The average cost per watt of solar panel installations in Brown County, MN in December, 2024 is $0/W.

So, solar panels will cost you about $0 per 1000 watts (1 kW) of production capacounty. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar installation in Brown County will require you to pay $0. Please note that a more extensive system could be required to meet your energy demands.

By selecting your county on the left, you can discover the average roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. The following analysis, below, highlights the costs, 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.
Brown County: $0US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Brown County: 0 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Brown County: $47,220US Average: $16,152

Solar Potential in Brown County

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

Roof size 724sq. ft.
Capacity 10.13kW DC
Electricity 11.5kkWh AC per yr.

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

For Brown County energy consumers, the average monthly kWh usage is 1,441, with an average electric bill of 196.75. It is important to note that the statistic also covers data from smaller residential units, including apartments.

In December 2024, the mean electricity rate in Brown County, MN is 13.65¢ per kWh.

Currently, a 12 kW solar panel system will set you back about $0initially, but thanks to the 30% federal tax credit, you get a 30% reimbursement, lowering the price to $0.

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Brown County

Located below and to the left, you can find the pricing details for different sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Brown County. Larger solar installations carry a greater cost, yet they also yield increased electricity savings and larger income tax credits.

The calculator to the right and below gives a detailed summary of solar panel costs and benefits, based on an average electric bill of $196.75 in Brown County. Adjust the $196.75 to your typical electricity bill payment for customized results.

System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,623 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 11,590 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $135
  • Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.7 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 124 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,693 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,825 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 9kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 13,039 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $152
  • Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.04 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 140 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,529 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,028 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 10kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 14,487 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $169
  • Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.38 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 155 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,366 mi less a year
System Size 11kW
Roof Size Min. space required
787 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,231 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 11kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 15,936 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $186
  • Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.72 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 171 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,202 mi less a year
System Size 12kW
Roof Size Min. space required
858 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,434 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 12kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 17,385 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $197
  • Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.94 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 181 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,751 mi less a year

Brown County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

Rural small businesses and farms can benefit from the REAP Grant, which may cover between 80% and 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs. Believe you fall into this category? Check your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

For those considering residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is offered to almost all homeowners, which makes solar power a smart investment in numerous parts of the country. Additionally, various state and local programs exist to further encourage the adoption of solar power.

Multiple utilities and governmental agencies in Minnesota offer 20 solar rebate and incentive programs.

Solar incentives in MN

Rochester Public Utilities - Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $500

Residential and business customers of RPU, the municipal electric utility for the city of Rochester, may be entitled to rebates on new solar photovoltaic devices and components. New system installations will yield a $500 incentive regardless of their rated capacity. Systems should meet all city, state, and federal standards and be interconnected to the grid under a net metering contract. To apply, customers must first schedule an energy audit to verify quantitative efficiency improvement. Additional information is available from the RPU website.

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.

Marshall Municipal Utilities - Solar Thermal Water Heater Rebate Program

Value:Up to $2,000

Residential customers of MMU, the municipal utility for the city of Marshall, may be eligible for special rebates on new solar water heaters. The incentive amount will depend on the physical size of the solar panels. Currently, MMU will pay $20 per square foot up to $2,000. Rebates add to state-level tax credits and exemptions. Additional information is available from the MMU website.

Austin Utilities - Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $1

Residential and commercial customers of AU, the municipal electric utility for the city of Austin, may be eligible for rebates on new solar PV systems and water heaters. Qualifying systems should meet all state and federal standards, be installed by a certified solar contractor, and be interconnected to the grid under a net metering arrangement. Should a system meet these qualifications, owners can earn a rebate of $500 for PV or $15/square foot of water heater collector area. Application forms are available from the AU website.

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.

Dakota Electric Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Value:Varies

Residential and commercial customers of the Dakota Electric Association may be entitled to rebates on a variety of energy-efficient improvements. Available rebate offers will vary from time to time. Current offers include rebates on large appliances, lighting, insulation/weatherization, central/room HVAC, and new solar PV or geothermal heat systems. Rebate amounts depend on the type of project and how much efficiency it will add to the property. Additional information is available from the cooperative website.

Xcel Energy - Renewable Development Fund Grants

Value:Varies

NOTE: This program appears to be defunct as of 2013. 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. Grant programs supported by the fund usually take the form of requests for proposals (RFPs). Xcel details grant revenue and spending in an annual report submitted to the state legislature, and grant recipients produce similar supplementary reports on their projects' environmental impact. Additional information is available from the Xcel website.

Owatonna Public Utilities - Residential Conserve and Save Rebate Program

Value:Varies

Residential customers of OPU, the municipal utility for the city of Owatonna, may be eligible for rebates on energy-efficient appliances. Qualifying appliances will vary from time to time, but currently include fridge/freezers and room air conditioners certified by ENERGY STAR. To qualify for a rebate, the owner must recycle their previous appliance. OPU will cover any fees incurred from the recycling of appliances as a part of the rebate. Additional information is available from the OPU 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.

Minnesota Power - Power Grant Program

Value:Varies

Minnesota Power manages a large-scale energy efficiency grant program. Up to $50,000 in awards may be available to businesses and farmers investing in energy efficiency improvements, including new renewable energy systems and experimental technologies. Grants depend on the applicant's need and projected energy savings. They are supplemented by rebates of $200/kW of the improvements' rated capacity. Additional information is available from the Minnesota Power 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.

Marshall Municipal Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Value:Varies

Residential customers of MMU, the municipal utility for the city of Marshall, may be eligible for rebates on new energy-efficient systems and appliances. Available rebate offers will vary from time to time. Current offers include incentives for ENERGY STAR-certified fridge/freezers, washer/dryers, dishwashers, central/room HVAC, water heaters, dehumidifiers, and solar/geothermal systems (through a separate program). Customers may also receive financial assistance to certify their entire home with ENERGY STAR through an initiative targeted at new construction. Additional information is available from the MMU website.

Are solar panels worth it in Brown County, MN?

For homeowners in Brown County looking to stay beyond the payback period of their solar system, solar panels are the best choice. With a 5 kW solar system in Brown County, MN, the average savings over a 20 period is $47,220, with break even usually occurring at 0 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Brown County, MN

In addition to forgoing the savings mentioned previously, not installing solar panels or another form of backup power results in you being completely dependent on your electric utility. Full reliance on your utility provider isn't always ideal, as recent examples in the news have shown.

There are about 0.86 outages per customer annually in Brown County. The average duration of each outage is 84.34 minutes. During severe events like planned maintenance, grid management errors or tornadoes, these times can grow significantly longer.

Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Brown County.

With or without a backup battery, a solar panel system could reduce the stress of future power disruptions you might encounter.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Brown County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

What impacts the cost of solar panels in Brown County, MN?

Your Energy Needs - The price per watt lowers with larger solar panel systems, even though the upfront cost is larger. For most consumers, installing a system that can produce enough power to reduce their entire electric bill is useful, providing significant savings.

Make & Model - Like many products, solar panels and mounting equipment are offered in a variety of makes and models. The system preferences of your selected installer can make it crucial to select a reputable installer. The use of better materials is probably will result in a more satisfactory long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - For good reason why monocrystalline panels are now considered the industry standard. They come with a higher price but are more energy-efficient. The majority of solar panel installers use panels made of this material.

Your Property - No two properties or homes are identical. Trees, uneven landscapes, or additional hurdles can increase the difficulty of the installation. These days, the majority of solar installers can evaluate your home with satellite images and incorporate these elements in the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Various wages are paid to employees by various companies, and these expenses are transferred to the consumers. It is often observed that companies with higher wages receive superior reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation price will be influenced by the permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by area. That said, experienced local installers will be able to build these numbers into your preliminary quotes so there are no surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other Brown County cities

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Who are the best solar installers in Brown County?

All Energy Solar

St. Paul, MN(800) 620-3370

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

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

Core Development Group

(201) 825-2195

Services

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

Solar Farm

St. Paul, MN(651) 271-8410

Services

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

Dividend Finance

Cincinnati, OH(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Sundial Energy

St. Louis Park, MN(952) 922-8560

Services

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

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • 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.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

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

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of batteries.
  • 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.

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

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

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

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

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of batteries.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • 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.

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

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

Brown County, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • In Brown County, MN, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in December, 2024 is $0/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Brown County, MN will cost about $0 after federal tax credits.
  • At present, there are 20 rebates and incentives available to Minnesota residents from various utility and government programs. Additionally, the vast majority qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
  • Paying in cash provides the highest savings, but there are several financing options available today for solar panels that are also financially advantageous. Information about financing options is typically detailed in initial quotes provided by installers.
  • Yes, in Brown County, MN, 5 kW solar panel systems usually pay off in 0 years, providing an average electricity cost savings of $47,220 over a 20-year period.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-12-08