Solar Panels Cost $5.2k-$15k in Chisago County, MN | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Chisago County, MN in 2024?
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It is approximately $3.75/W in Chisago County, MN in November, 2024 to get solar installed.
Each 1 kW (1000 watts) of solar power capacounty will cost you $3,750 for installation. When you consider the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend around $13,125, in Chisago County, for a 5 kW system. Subject to your electricity consumption, your home may need a larger system.
To the left, you can select your county to determine the typical roof size and average maximum capacity for solar panels on homes in your area. Displayed below is an overview of 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.
Chisago County: $13,125US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Chisago County: 9 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Chisago County: $9,810US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Chisago County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Chisago County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 10.6kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Chisago County, MN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The average electricity bill for a Chisago County resident is 119.00, with a monthly consumption of 715 kWh. Keep in mind that the statistic includes both apartments and smaller homes, which typically require reduced energy.
The average rate for electricity in Chisago County, MN during November, 2024 is 16.65¢ per kWh.
At this time, a 6 kW setup has an upfront cost of about $22,500, but after a 30% tax credit, it drops to $15,750
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Chisago County
Displayed on the left, you will find a price breakdown for different solar panel system sizes installed in Chisago County. Bigger solar installations come with a greater cost, yet they also offer increased electricity savings and more generous income tax credits.
Check the solar panel cost calculator below and to the right to see the cost and benefit details based on an average $119.00 electric bill in Chisago County. Adjust the $119.00 to your typical electricity bill payment for more accurate results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $493 a year
Est. Price
$5,250
Savings from a 2kWthis system
Est. yearly production 2,897 kWh
Est. monthly savings $41
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.68 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 31 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 1,681 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $739 a year
Est. Price
$7,875
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,346 kWh
Est. monthly savings $62
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.02 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 47 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,522 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $985 a year
Est. Price
$10,500
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
Est. monthly savings $82
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.36 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 62 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,363 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,231 a year
Est. Price
$13,125
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
Est. monthly savings $103
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.7 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 78 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,203 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,478 a year
Est. Price
$15,750
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
Est. monthly savings $119
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.97 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 90 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,874 mi less a year
Chisago County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
If you're a rural small business or farm owner, you might be eligible for REAP Grant coverage of between 80% and 100% for your photovoltaic or wind turbine project. If you believe you might qualify, we suggest trying our REAP Grant eligibility tool to check.
Nearly all residents are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making it a feasible option in numerous states throughout the country. Additionally, a variety of state and local programs are available to promote solar adoption.
There are 20 solar rebate and incentive programs currently offered in Minnesota by multiple utilities and government bodies.
Solar incentives in MNIncentive Description Value
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 Chisago County, MN?
If your goal is to keep your home well past the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an excellent choice in Chisago County. Installing a 5 kW solar system in Chisago County, MN will, on average, save you $15,435 over 20 years, and you can expect to break even in about 9 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Chisago County, MN
In addition to forgoing the savings, the absence of solar panels or another backup energy source results in full dependence on your electric utility for your power needs. As recent examples in the news have shown, full reliance on your utility provider isn't always the best idea.
Each year, customers in Chisago County face about 0.71 outages. Each outage, on average, lasts for 72.81 minutes. In the case of major events like wildlife damage, grid management errors or hurricanes, this period can rise substantially.
View the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Chisago County.
Even without a backup battery, a solar panel system can help mitigate the strain of future outages you may face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Chisago County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Chisago County, MN?
Your Energy Needs - Even though larger solar panel systems are more expensive initially, the average price per watt decreases as the system size increases. A lot of people find it useful to set up a solar energy system that can offset their entire electric bill. This results in maximum savings.
Make & Model - There are numerous brands and models of solar panels. The preferences for system that your contractor has may make it essential to choose a reputable installer. The use of superior models is probably will result in a more satisfactory long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - There are valid reasons why monocrystalline panels are now considered the industry standard. Although they are pricier, they provide increased energy. Most installers work with panels crafted of this material.
Your Property - Every home and property differs in its own way. Challenges such as trees, sloped land, or additional considerations can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. By using satellite imagery, solar installers can currently assess your home and include these considerations into the first cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wage differences between companies result in costs that are passed on to the consumers. Higher reviews for services and customer service are often associated with businesses that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - The cost of installation will vary depending on local permitting and utility interconnection fees. Experienced local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to provide transparency.
See what solar panels cost in other Chisago County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Chisago County, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average cost for solar panels in Chisago County, MN is $3.75/W. With the federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Chisago County, MN drops to roughly $13,125.
Currently, Minnesota residents can benefit from 20 rebates and incentives available through various utilities and government bodies. Additionally, the vast majority qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Paying cash yields the most savings, but there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that are also financially beneficial. Financing details are often provided by installers and may be detailed in your initial quotes.
Yes, solar panels systems of 5 kW in Chisago County, MN typically have a payback period of 9years, with expected savings on electricity costs of $15,435 over 20 years.