Solar Panels Cost 5.1k-15k in Monticello, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $5.1k-$15k in Monticello, MN | October, 2024

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

The current cost per watt for solar in Monticello, MN in October, 2024 is $3.71/W.

Put another way, solar panels will cost you $3,710 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacity. When you subtract the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend about $12,985 for a 5 kW panel install in Monticello. Note that a more powerful system may be necessary to meet your energy demands.

To your left, you have the option to choose your county and view the average roof size along with the average maximum capacity for solar panel installations on homes in your area. Below, you can see an analysis 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.
Monticello: $12,985US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Monticello: 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.
Monticello: $6,028US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Monticello

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

Roof size 715sq. ft.
Capacity 10kW DC
Electricity 11.7kkWh AC per yr.

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

Monticello residents generally consume 623 kWh of electricity each month, with bills around $102.41. Bear in mind that this statistic covers smaller residences including apartments, known for reduced energy use.

The rate of electricity in Monticello, MN, on average, is 16.44¢ per kWh for October 2024.

If you’re an average electricity user in Monticello, you may need a solar panel system sized at 6 kW or above to take care of your electricity needs. Presently, a 6 kW setup costs $15,582 after the 30% federal income tax credit.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Monticello

Displayed on the left, you will find a cost summary for multiple solar panel system sizes set up in Monticello. Naturally, a larger solar system requires a greater initial expense, but it also translates to more significant electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.

The solar panel cost calculator, positioned down and to the right, provides a cost-benefit analysis using an average $102.41 electric bill for Monticello. For personalized results, update the $102.41 to whatever your usual electricity bill is.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $464 a year
Est. Price
$5,194
Savings from a 2kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 2,897 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $39
  • Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $695 a year
Est. Price
$7,791
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,346 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $58
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $927 a year
Est. Price
$10,388
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $77
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,159 a year
Est. Price
$12,985
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $97
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,391 a year
Est. Price
$15,582
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $102
  • Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year

Monticello Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant offers substantial financial support, potentially covering 80% to 100% of the costs for rural businesses and agricultural operations to install photovoltaic or wind energy systems. Think you might be eligible? Verify your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

Thanks to the 30% federal income tax credit, residential solar installations are accessible for most people, turning solar power a sensible investment in various states. Furthermore, a variety of state and local programs are available to encourage solar adoption.

There are 12 solar rebate and incentive initiatives currently offered in Minnesota by various utilities and government bodies.

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 smart move in Monticello. With a 5 kW solar system in Monticello, MN, the average savings over a 20 period is $11,593.4, with break even usually occurring at 11 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Monticello, MN

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the savings highlighted previously and rely entirely on your electric utility for electricity. Recent media examples have revealed that complete dependence on your utility company isn't always the best condition.

Residents in Monticello have seen an average of 0.78 utility outages per year in recent times. Outages typically last for an average of 85.85 minutes. Major occurrences like vandalism, grid management errors or hurricanes can lead to a significant rise in these time frames.

Owning a solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could reduce the pressure of any future outages you may experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Wright County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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

Your Energy Needs - With larger solar panel systems, the cost per watt declines, despite the greater upfront expense. Homeowners often realize that setting up a solar system that can cover their entire electric bill is advantageous, resulting in optimal savings.

Make & Model - Solar panels come in a range of makes and models. Considering the brand preferences that your installer may have, it's essential to select a reputable installer. For consumers desiring a better long-term experience, investing in superior quality makes and models is critical.

Solar Panel Type - For many good reasons, monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. Even though they are pricier, they generate additional energy. Many installers utilize panels made from this material.

Your Property - Each property and home is one of a kind. Uneven ground, trees, or additional hindrances can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. By using satellite images, the majority of solar installers nowadays can evaluate your home and incorporate these factors into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Employees are paid varied wages from different companies, and these costs are handed down to the consumers. Paying higher wages typically results in companies receiving better reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Permitting and utility interconnection fees change locally and will influence your installation cost. Quality installers will factor these costs into your first 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 Monticello?

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.

Monticello, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • In Monticello, MN, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in October, 2024 is $3.71/W. The cost of installing a 5 kW solar panel system in Monticello, MN is about $12,985 post federal tax credit.

  • Right now, Minnesota has 12 rebates and incentives available through a variety of utility companies and government entities. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to almost everyone.

  • Opting for cash payments results in the highest savings, but there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that are financially sensible. Many installers have partnerships with financing companies and will provide this information in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, in Monticello, MN, the average time for 5 kW solar panel systems to pay for themselves is 11 years, leading to electricity savings of $11,593.4 over a 20-year period.
Alex Zdanov
Last Reviewed By: Alex Zdanov
Published: 2024-10-01