Solar Panels Cost 5.2k-15k in Mankato, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $5.2k-$15k in Mankato, MN | October, 2024

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

Having a solar system averages out to $3.78/W in Mankato, MN in October, 2024.

Said another way, solar panels will cost you $3,780 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacity. Subtracting the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system in Mankato typically costs $13,230. Note that a more extensive system may be essential to fully meet your energy needs.

On the left-hand side, you can pick your county to see the average roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels in residences in your area. Below, you can see a breakdown of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Mankato: $13,230US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Mankato: 10 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Mankato: $7,344US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Mankato

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

Roof size 715sq. ft.
Capacity 10kW DC
Electricity 11.3kkWh AC per yr.

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

Mankato's average monthly electric bill is $109.35, with consumers using an average of 660 kWh. Apartments and other smaller residences with reduced energy requirements are encompassed in this figure.

Mankato, MN's electricity rate is 16.57¢ per kWh in October 2024.

If you’re an average electricity consumer in Mankato, you will require a solar power system sized at 6 kW or larger to cover your electricity needs. At the moment, a 6 kW setup will set you back about $22,680initially, but thanks to the federal tax credit, you get a 30% reimbursement, bringing the cost down to $15,876.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Mankato

Located below and to the left, there is the cost summary for multiple sizes of the solar panel systems set up in Mankato. A more extensive solar array will obviously cost more, but it will also provide higher electricity savings and higher income tax credits.

The solar panel calculator, positioned down and to the right, gives a detailed cost and benefit analysis based on a typical $109.35 electric bill for Mankato. By changing the $109.35 to your average electricity bill, you can get tailored results.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $493 a year
Est. Price
$5,292
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 1.89 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 87 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 4,682 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $739 a year
Est. Price
$7,938
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 2.84 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 130 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,023 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $985 a year
Est. Price
$10,584
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $82
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.78 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 174 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,364 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,231 a year
Est. Price
$13,230
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $103
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.73 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 217 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 11,705 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,478 a year
Est. Price
$15,876
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $109
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.02 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 231 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 12,433 mi less a year

Mankato Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

Rural farmers and small business owners could have between 80% and 100% of their solar energy or wind turbine installation expenses covered by the REAP Grant. Believe you might be eligible? Verify your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

The federal government offers a 30% tax credit for residential solar systems, rendering solar practical and sensible for a variety of homeowners. On top of that, there are many state and local incentives to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.

Minnesota provides 12 solar rebates and incentives from different utility companies and government 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?

For homeowners in Mankato who expect to stay in their residence beyond the solar payback period, solar panels make an smart investment. Over a 20 year time frame, a 5 kW solar system in Mankato, MN could save you around $13,014, with the average break even time being 10 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Mankato, MN

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the previously noted savings and are fully dependent on your electric utility for electricity. Many recent news reports have highlighted that complete dependence on your utility is not always ideal.

The average number of outages per customer per year in Mankato is 0.95. On average, the length of an outage is 114.46 minutes. Major events like overloaded power grids, winter storms or vandalism can cause these durations to rise considerably.

A solar energy system, regardless of whether it has a backup battery or not, could help relieve the pressure of future power outages you may experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Blue Earth County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Mankato, 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. Homeowners often find that installing a solar system that can replace their electric bill is highly beneficial. This method results in maximum savings.

Make & Model - Like other industries, the solar energy sector includes a range of solar panel brands and designs. The preferences for brand that your contractor has may make it crucial to choose a reputable installer. Opting for superior quality models can yield a greatly enhanced long-term experience for the buyer.

Solar Panel Type - It's understandable that monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. Although the cost is higher, they deliver more energy. Many installers use these types of panels.

Your Property - Challenges like trees, sloping terrain, or additional considerations can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Solar installers currently typically use satellite imagery to evaluate your home and incorporate these factors into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The costs connected to the varying wages paid by companies to their employees are transferred to the consumers. Companies frequently garner higher reviews for their work and customer service when they offer better wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation cost will be impacted by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by area. Good local installers will incorporate these figures into your preliminary estimates to prevent any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other MN cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Mankato?

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.

Mankato, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As recorded in October, 2024, the standard cost for solar panel installations in Mankato, MN is $3.78/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Mankato, MN will roughly cost $13,230.

  • Minnesota offers 12 different rebates and incentives from a range of utilities and government organizations. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.

  • Cash payments offer the highest savings, yet several financing options now available for solar panels are financially beneficial as well. Installers will often include details on financing partners in the quotes they provide initially.

  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback period in Mankato, MN stands at 10 years, yielding average electricity savings of $13,014 over 20 years.
Alex Zdanov
Last Reviewed By: Alex Zdanov
Published: 2024-10-01