Solar Panels Cost 7.7k-18k in Sartell, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $7.7k-$18k in Sartell, MN | October, 2024

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

You will pay $3.69 per watt in Sartell, MN in the month of October, 2024 to go solar.

For every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar system can generate, you will need to invest, on average, $3,690 for its installation. You can come to this conclusion by applying the rate price cost per watt above. In Sartell, a 5 kW solar installation will cost you, on average, $12,915 after the 30% federal income tax credit. Please note that a more powerful system may be necessary to satisfy your energy demands.

Use the left-hand menu to choose your area and see the typical roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels on homes in your county. Outlined below are 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.
Sartell: $12,915US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Sartell: 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.
Sartell: $8,946US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Sartell

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

Roof size 751sq. ft.
Capacity 10.5kW DC
Electricity 11.7kkWh AC per yr.

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

For energy consumers in Sartell, the average electric bill amounts to $114.15 per month, with a typical usage of 738 kWh. Remember that apartments and smaller homes, which generally have lower energy needs, are encompassed in this statistic.

In October 2024, the average electricity rate in Sartell, MN amounts to 15.47¢ per kWh.

If you’re a typical energy user in Sartell, you may need a solar system sized at 7 kW or larger to take care of all your electricity needs. Upfront, a 7 kW solar installation is around $25,830, with the federal tax credit returning 30% of your investment amount, lowering the cost to $18,081.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Sartell

Displayed below and to the left, is a comprehensive pricing structure for different solar panel system sizes installed in Sartell. Although a bigger solar installation has a larger expense, it also offers greater electricity savings and larger income tax credits.

The solar panel cost and benefit breakdown, displayed in the calculator below and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $114.15 in Sartell. Swap the $114.15 with your average electricity bill for more accurate results.

System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $652 a year
Est. Price
$7,749
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,346 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $54
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.83 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 84 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 4,541 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $869 a year
Est. Price
$10,332
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $72
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.45 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 112 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,054 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,087 a year
Est. Price
$12,915
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $91
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.06 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 140 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,568 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,304 a year
Est. Price
$15,498
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $109
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.67 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 169 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,081 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,521 a year
Est. Price
$18,081
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,141 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $114
  • 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 9,528 mi less a year

Sartell Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

If you run a small business or farm in a rural area, you could receive REAP Grant support that covers 80% to 100% of your solar or wind turbine installation costs. To see if you qualify, use our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

When it comes to residential solar, almost all people can take advantage of the 30% federal income tax credit, which makes solar a viable option in most regions of the nation. In addition, various regional and state incentives are in place to boost solar energy adoption.

Minnesota features 12 solar rebate and incentive initiatives offered by multiple utilities 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 those looking to stay in their home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a good investment in Sartell. Installing a 5 kW solar system in Sartell, MN will, on average, save you $14,481 over 20 years, and you can expect to break even in about 9 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Sartell, MN

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

Sartell utilities have reported 0.82 outages per customer per year recently. Outages generally last for an average of 97.55 minutes. During major occurrences like lightning strikes, aging infrastructure, or planned maintenance, these times can extend significantly.

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

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Stearns County.

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Customers Out:

0

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

Your Energy Needs - While larger solar panel systems involve a greater upfront expense, the average price per watt drops as the system size grows. It is often useful for consumers to set up a solar system that can generate enough electricity to offset their electric bill, which ensures significant savings.

Make & Model - Solar panels come in a wide variety of makes and models. The contractor’s preference for system makes it important to select a highly rated company. Better quality makes and models often lead to a more favorable long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels are broadly acknowledged as the standard in the industry, and for good cause. Even with a higher cost, this technology yield more energy. The majority of installers choose panels constructed using this material.

Your Property - No two homes or properties are the same. Elements like trees, irregular terrain, or other challenges might complicate the installation process. Solar installers nowadays commonly use satellite imagery to evaluate your home and factor in these elements into the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The costs related to the varying wages given by companies to their employees are transferred to the consumers. Higher wages typically lead to businesses getting better reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Depending on the location, permitting and utility interconnection fees will influence your installation price. Quality local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to guarantee transparency.

See what solar panels cost in other MN cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Sartell?

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.

Sartell, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As of October, 2024, the average solar panel installation cost in Sartell, MN has reached $3.69/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Sartell, MN will cost about $12,915 after federal tax credits.

  • At present, there are 12 rebates and incentives available to Minnesota residents from various utility and government programs. In addition, nearly all people are eligible for the 30%federal tax credit.

  • Even though paying cash offers the most savings, there are now multiple financing options for solar panels that also make financial sense. Installers often have financing partners and will include this information in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback period in Sartell, MN stands at 9 years, yielding average electricity savings of $14,481 over 20 years.
Alex Zdanov
Last Reviewed By: Alex Zdanov
Published: 2024-10-01