Solar Panels Cost 2.6k-13k in West St. Paul, MN | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $2.6k-$13k in West St. Paul, MN | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in West St. Paul, MN in 2024?

In October, 2024, the current price per watt of solar in West St. Paul, MN is $3.83/W.

So, solar panel installations will cost you about $3,830 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacity. In West St. Paul, the cost of a 5 kW panel install is typically $13,405, after the 30% federal tax credit. However, please keep in mind that a higher capacity system might be required to satisfy your energy demands.

On the left side, choose your county to find the typical roof size and the maximum capacity of solar panels for 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.
West St. Paul: $13,405US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
West St. Paul: 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.
West St. Paul: $4,735US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in West St. Paul

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
West St. Paul.

Roof size 751sq. ft.
Capacity 10.5kW DC
Electricity 12.3kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in West St. Paul, MN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The monthly electricity usage for a typical West St. Paul household is 594 kWh, with a standard bill of $99.52. These figures include apartments and smaller residences with typically reduced energy demand.

In October 2024, West St. Paul, MN's average electricity rate amounts to 16.76¢ per kWh.

For the typical energy consumer in West St. Paul, a system size of 5 kW or more is necessary to satisfy their entire power usage requirements. After incentives, a 5 kW solar system will cost around $13,405.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in West St. Paul

Shown on the left and below is the cost analysis for multiple sizes of solar panel systems set up in West St. Paul. While a more extensive solar installation has a larger expense, it also provides higher electricity savings and larger income tax credits.

Look at the solar panel cost calculator below and to the right to see the cost and benefit details derived from an average $99.52 electric bill in West St. Paul. To get personalized results, change the $99.52 to reflect your average electricity payment.

System Size 1kW
Roof Size Min. space required
72 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $246 a year
Est. Price
$2,681
Savings from a 1kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 1,449 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $21
  • Full payback in 2 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.8 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 37 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1,984 mi less a year
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 1.6 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 74 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 3,969 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 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.41 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 110 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,953 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 3.21 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 147 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,938 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 $100
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.91 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 179 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,669 mi less a year

West St. Paul Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

For rural agricultural enterprises and small businesses, the REAP Grant might currently cover between 80% and 100% of the expenses for installing photovoltaic or wind energy systems. Believe you might be eligible? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your eligibility.

For those considering residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to nearly everyone, making solar power a good investment in numerous parts of the country. State and local efforts are also in place to further drive the growth of solar energy use.

A number of utilities and governmental agencies in Minnesota provide 12 solar rebate and incentive programs.

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 you expect to live in your home beyond the time it takes to recoup your solar investment, adding solar panels in West St. Paul is an excellent decision. Installing a 5 kW solar system in West St. Paul, MN will, on average, save you $10,479.8 over 20 years, and you can expect to break even in about 11 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in West St. Paul, MN

Forgoing solar panels or an alternative backup energy source results in you'll miss out on the savings highlighted above and be fully dependent on your electric utility for power. Recent news stories have shown that complete dependence on your utility is not always ideal.

The average number of outages per customer per year for utilities in West St. Paul has been 0.95 recently. The average duration of each outage is 114.46 minutes. During severe events like aging infrastructure, thunderstorms or planned maintenance, these times can grow significantly longer.

A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could help mitigate the effects of future outages you might experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Dakota County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in West St. Paul, 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. Individuals often find that installing a solar system that can replace their electric bill is highly beneficial. This strategy results in greater savings.

Make & Model - Similar to other industries, the solar energy sector features a range of solar panel and mounting equipment brands and designs. Considering the particular system preferences an contractor might have, selecting a highly rated company is critical. Superior quality makes and models generally lead to a more positive long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - There are valid reasons why monocrystalline panels are now the industry standard. Although the cost is higher, they yield more energy. Many installers use these kinds of panels.

Your Property - No two homes or properties are the same. Elements such as trees, irregular terrain, or other challenges might complicate the installation process. Most solar installers today leverage satellite imagery to evaluate your home and include these factors into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The varied employee wages paid by companies cause costs that consumers eventually bearing . It is frequently observed that businesses with higher wages receive superior reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation cost will be influenced by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by area. Good 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 West St. Paul?

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.

West St. Paul, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As of October, 2024, the average solar panel installation cost in West St. Paul, MN has reached $3.83/W. A 5 kW solar panel system will cost you around $13,405 in West St. Paul, MN after the federal tax credit is applied.

  • Homeowners in Minnesota can take advantage of 12 different rebates and incentives from a variety of utility companies and government agencies. Additionally, almost everyone is entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.

  • Even though paying cash provides the most savings, there are now several financing options for solar panels that also are cost-effective. Installers typically partner with financing companies and will include this information into your initial quotes.

  • Yes, homeowners in West St. Paul, MN generally see a payback time of 11 years for 5 kW solar panel systems, with electricity savings averaging $10,479.8 over a 20-year period.
King Manalo
Last Reviewed By: King Manalo
Published: 2024-10-01