Solar Panels Cost $8.6k-$20k in Wabasha County, MN | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Wabasha County, MN in 2024?
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For the month of November, 2024, the cost per watt for going solar in Wabasha County, MN is $4.1/W.
Expect to pony up $4,100, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar panels will need to generate. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel install in Wabasha County will cost approximately $14,350. Bear in mind that you could need a higher capacity system to meet your energy requirements.
To your left, you have the option to select your county and find the average roof size along with the average maximum capacity for solar panel installations on homes in your area. Displayed below is an analysis of the price, 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.
Wabasha County: $14,350US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Wabasha County: 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.
Wabasha County: $9,560US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Wabasha County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Wabasha County.
Roof size 724sq. ft.
Capacity 10.13kW DC
Electricity 11.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Wabasha County, MN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The typical monthly electric bill for Wabasha County residents is 125.25, with a typical usage of 762 kWh. Be mindful that this figure includes data from apartments and other compact residences with reduced energy needs.
The average rate for electricity in Wabasha County, MN during November, 2024 is 16.44¢ per kWh.
The upfront cost for a 7 kW setup amounts to $28,700, but after receiving a 30% federal tax credit, your total comes down to $20,090.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Wabasha County
Displayed on the left side, you'll see a comprehensive price breakdown of the various sizes of solar panel systems installed in Wabasha County. The bigger the solar array, the greater the initial expense, but also the more substantial electricity savings and income tax credits you'll get.
In the calculator located to the right and below, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $125.25 electric bill for Wabasha County. Adjust the $125.25 to your usual electricity bill payment for results that fit your situation.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $695 a year
Est. Price
$8,610
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 1.61 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 74 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,975 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $927 a year
Est. Price
$11,480
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 2.14 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 98 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,300 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,159 a year
Est. Price
$14,350
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
Est. monthly savings $97
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.68 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 123 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,625 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,391 a year
Est. Price
$17,220
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
Est. monthly savings $116
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.21 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 148 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,950 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,623 a year
Est. Price
$20,090
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,141 kWh
Est. monthly savings $125
Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.46 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 159 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,575 mi less a year
Wabasha County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
The REAP Grant is designed to assist rural farmlands and small businesses by covering 80% to 100% of the costs associated with solar or wind turbine installations. Think you might be eligible? Confirm your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
For those looking into residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is offered to nearly everyone, which makes solar a practical option in many states. Moreover, there are many state and local incentives to further push for the adoption of solar energy.
A variety of utilities and governmental organizations in Minnesota provide 20 solar rebate and incentive programs.
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 Wabasha County, MN?
For those looking to stay in their home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a smart investment in Wabasha County. In Wabasha County, MN, a 5 kW solar system installation might save you $15,710 on average over 20 years, with a typical break even point of 10 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Wabasha County, MN
The lack of solar panels or another energy backup means you'll forgo the earlier mentioned savings and be completely reliant on your electric utility for power. As shown by recent news stories, complete dependence on your utility company isn't always ideal.
The average number of outages per customer per year for utilities in Wabasha County has been 0.96 lately. Each outage lasts an average of 90.47 minutes. In the case of major events such as equipment failure, heavy rain and flooding or vandalism, this period can increase substantially.
See the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Wabasha County.
A solar panel system could reduce the inconvenience of future outages, even if it is without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Wabasha County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Wabasha County, MN?
Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt declines with larger solar panel systems, even if the upfront cost is higher. Many consumers realize it's a smart idea to install a solar system that can produce enough power to offset their electric bill, because it helps them reduce costs.
Make & Model - Just like other products, solar panels and mounting equipment come in a wide variety of makes and models. Choosing an installer with certain system preferences means it's even more necessary essential to go with a reputable company. The use of high-quality makes and models can significantly improve the long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the industry standard, and rightly so. They are more expensive but generate more energy. Most professionals in solar installation work with panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Challenges like trees, uneven ground, or other considerations can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Today, most solar installers can assess your home with satellite images and include these elements in the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Companies compensate their employees in varied amounts, and these costs are passed down to consumers. Higher wages frequently lead to businesses getting better reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation price will be influenced by the permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by area. Quality local installers will include these figures in your preliminary estimates to guarantee transparency.
See what solar panels cost in other Wabasha County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Wabasha County, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs
In Wabasha County, MN, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in November, 2024 is $4.1/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Wabasha County, MN will cost about $14,350 after federal tax credits.
At present, there are 20 rebates and incentives available to Minnesota residents from various utility and government programs. On top of that, most individuals are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Paying cash offers the highest savings, but there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Installers typically partner with financing companies and will include this information into your initial quotes.
Yes, on average, the return on investment for 5 kW solar panel systems in Wabasha County, MN is achieved in 10 years, with electricity savings amounting to $15,710 over 20 years.