Solar Panels Cost 5.3k-16k in Sauk Rapids, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $5.3k-$16k in Sauk Rapids, MN | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Sauk Rapids, MN in 2024?

In Sauk Rapids, MN in the month of October, 2024 you will spend about $3.83 per watt to go solar.

It will cost you $3,830, on average, for every 1K (or 1000 watts) of capacity that your solar panels have. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to pay around $13,405 for a 5 kW solar setup in Sauk Rapids. Please keep in mind that a bigger system might be needed to adequately cover your energy consumption.

To the left, you can choose your county to see the average roof size and average maximum capacity for solar panels on homes in your area. Below is an analysis 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.
Sauk Rapids: $13,405US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Sauk Rapids: 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.
Sauk Rapids: $5,637US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Sauk Rapids

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

Roof size 733sq. ft.
Capacity 10.25kW DC
Electricity 11.9kkWh AC per yr.

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

On average, Sauk Rapids residents pay $103.28 for their electric bill each month and use 617 kWh. These statistics also include apartments and other smaller residences with reduced energy demand.

The average rate for electricity in Sauk Rapids, MN in October, 2024 is 16.74¢ per kWh.

Average citizens in Sauk Rapids will want a solar panel system with a generation capacity of 6 kW or larger to satisfy their full electricity consumption requirements. Installing a a 6 kW solar panel installation will be priced at about $22,980 initially, but with the 30% federal tax credit, you can receive a 30% reimbursement, reducing the cost to $16,086.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Sauk Rapids

Located below and to the left, there is the price breakdown for different sizes of the solar panel systems set up in Sauk Rapids. The bigger the solar array, the higher the initial expense, but also the greater electricity savings and income tax credits you'll get.

The solar panel cost and benefit breakdown, shown in the calculator below and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $103.28 in Sauk Rapids. Change the $103.28 to match your average electricity bill payment for custom results.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $493 a year
Est. Price
$5,362
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 1.54 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 71 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 3,804 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $739 a year
Est. Price
$8,043
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 2.3 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,705 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $985 a year
Est. Price
$10,724
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $82
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.07 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 141 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,607 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,231 a year
Est. Price
$13,405
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $103
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.84 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 176 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,509 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,478 a year
Est. Price
$16,086
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $103
  • Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.86 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 177 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,544 mi less a year

Sauk Rapids Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant can potentially cover between 80% and 100% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines for rural small businesses and agricultural businesses. If you feel you might be eligible, we suggest utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool to verify your qualification.

The federal government offers a 30% tax credit for residential solar systems, making solar practical and practical for a diverse set of homeowners. A variety of state and local incentives are offered to promote the use of solar energy.

Minnesota features 12 solar rebate and incentive initiatives provided 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 expecting to remain in their homes after the solar system's payback period, installing solar panels is a obvious choice in Sauk Rapids. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Sauk Rapids, MN, you can expect to save roughly $11,382.2 over 20 years, with the break even point usually being 11 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Sauk Rapids, MN

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the savings discussed previously and rely entirely on your electric utility for electricity. As we've seen in many recent news reports, full reliance on your utility isn't always ideal.

Recently, the average number of utility outages per customer in Sauk Rapids has been 0.87 annually. Outages generally last for an average of 97.11 minutes. During major occurrences like landslides, aging infrastructure, or construction accidents, these times can extend significantly.

Whether or not a backup battery is included, a solar panel system could help ease the impact of future power outages you might face.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Benton County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Sauk Rapids, MN?

Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems require more upfront investment, but the cost per watt decreases as the size of the system increases. Many people find it useful to install a solar energy system that can replace their entire electric bill. This results in optimal savings.

Make & Model - There are a variety of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. Taking into account the certain brand preferences an installer might have, picking a reputable contractor is important. Choosing superior quality equipment usually provides a more favorable long-term experience for the buyer.

Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the standard in the industry, and deservedly so. They have a higher price, but they provide more energy. Most solar panel installers choose this type of material.

Your Property - Trees, sloped land, or additional considerations can increase the complexity of the installation. Nowadays, the majority of solar installers can assess your home with satellite images and incorporate these elements in the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Companies compensate their employees in varying amounts, and these costs are passed down to consumers. Higher wages frequently lead to companies getting better reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - The local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by region, will affect your final installation price. Quality installers will factor these costs into your preliminary 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 Sauk Rapids?

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.

Sauk Rapids, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • The average solar panel cost in Sauk Rapids, MN as of October, 2024 is estimated at $3.83/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Sauk Rapids, MN will roughly cost $13,405.

  • Currently, Minnesota residents can benefit from 12 rebates and incentives available through various utilities and government bodies. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.

  • Paying cash provides the most savings, yet there are many financing options available today for solar panels that are also beneficial. Financing options are frequently available through installers and will be included in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback time in Sauk Rapids, MN is 11 years, with expected savings of $11,382.2 on electricity over 20 years.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-10-01