Solar Panels Cost 10k-20k in Winona County, MN | November, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $10k-$20k in Winona County, MN | November, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Winona County, MN in 2024?

During November, 2024, the typical cost of solar systems in Winona County, MN was $3.73/W.

Expect costs to be $3,730, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your system will need to produce. You can conclude this by applying this rate price cost per watt above. In Winona County, you can expect to spend around $13,055 for a 5 kW solar installation once the 30% federal income tax credit is factored in. However, a 5kW systemmight not be sufficient to meet your energy needs.

On the left, you can select your county to find out the average roof size and the maximum capacity for residential solar on houses in your area. Outlined below are 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.
Winona County: $13,055US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Winona County: 8 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Winona County: $16,052US Average: $16,169

Solar Potential in Winona County

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

Roof size 1,162sq. ft.
Capacity 16.25kW DC
Electricity 18.5kkWh AC per yr.

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

Energy consumers in Winona County typically use 870 kWh per month, with an average monthly bill of 144.59. Please note that this statistic includes data from apartments and smaller living spaces with lower energy requirements.

In November 2024, the mean electricity rate in Winona County, MN amounts to 16.62¢ per kWh.

Upfront, an 8 kW solar system costs around $29,840, after a 30% federal tax credit, the price drops to $20,888.

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Winona County

Displayed on the left side, is a thorough pricing structure of the different sizes of solar panel systems set up in Winona County. When you select a more extensive solar system, the cost is higher, but it also leads to greater electricity savings and a larger income tax credit.

The solar panel cost calculator to the right and below details costs and benefits, considering an average $144.59 electric bill in Winona County Replace the $144.59 with your usual electricity bill to get more accurate results.

System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $985 a year
Est. Price
$10,444
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $82
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.05 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 94 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,081 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,231 a year
Est. Price
$13,055
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $103
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.57 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 118 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,351 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,478 a year
Est. Price
$15,666
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $123
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.08 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 141 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,621 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,724 a year
Est. Price
$18,277
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,141 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $144
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.59 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 165 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,891 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,970 a year
Est. Price
$20,888
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 11,590 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $145
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.63 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 167 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,973 mi less a year

Winona County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

Between 80% and 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs may be covered by the REAP Grant if you own a rural small business or farm. Confirm if you are eligible by utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

Almost all homeowners can take advantage of the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making solar energy a sensible option throughout most parts of the country. Several state and local efforts are designed to boost the adoption of solar energy.

Various utilities and government agencies in Minnesota have 20 solar rebate and incentive initiatives.

Solar incentives in MN

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 Winona County, MN?

If your goal is to own your home well past the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an clear choice in Winona County. A 5 kW solar system in Winona County, MN could potentially save you $21,646.6 over the course of 20 years, with the break even point averaging at 8 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Winona County, MN

The absence of solar panels or an alternative energy backup means that you forgo the savings noted earlier and depend on your electric utility for electricity. Recent news has proven that total reliance on your utility company is not always ideal.

Annually, the average number of outages per customer in Winona County is about 0.88. Typically, outages have an average duration of 80.79 minutes. However, during significant events such as aging infrastructure, tornadoes or planned maintenance, these times can drastically increase.

View the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Winona County.

With or without a backup battery, a solar panel system could help to mitigate the effects of future power interruptions you might face.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Winona County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Winona County, MN?

Your Energy Needs - Despite the larger initial expense, the cost per watt drops when using larger solar panel systems. Many individuals find it advantageous to set up a system that can generate enough electricity to replace the entirety of their electric bill. This math makes the most sense for optimal savings.

Make & Model - Similar to other industries, the solar energy sector features a wide range of solar panel brands and designs. Because the installer might have certain system preferences, it's important to select a reputable installer. The utilization of better equipment is probably will provide a more positive long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and for good reason. They have a higher price, but they produce more energy. Many solar panel installers opt for this kind of material.

Your Property - Each property and home has its own unique features. Sloped land, trees, or other barriers may add to the difficulty of the installation. Most solar installers today are able to leverage satellite imagery to assess your home and include these elements in the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Companies offer different pay rates to their employees, which are then shown in the prices consumers pay. Higher wages frequently lead to companies getting better reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - The final price of your installation will be affected by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by location. Reliable local installers will incorporate these figures into your initial estimates to prevent any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other Winona County cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Winona County?

All Energy Solar

St. Paul, MN(800) 620-3370

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Core Development Group

(201) 825-2195

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Solar Farm

St. Paul, MN(651) 271-8410

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Dividend Finance

Cincinnati, OH(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Sundial Energy

St. Louis Park, MN(952) 922-8560

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • 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.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of batteries.
  • 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.

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of batteries.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • 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.

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Winona County, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • During November, 2024, the average price for solar panel installations in Winona County, MN is $3.73/W. In Winona County, MN, installing a 5 kW solar panel system will set you back approximately $13,055 after federal tax incentives.
  • In Minnesota, you have access to 20 rebates and incentives provided by numerous utilities and government organizations. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to almost everyone.
  • While paying cash ensures the greatest savings, there are now various financing options for solar panels that are also beneficial. Installers will often provide details on financing partners in the quotes they provide initially.
  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback period in Winona County, MN stands at 8 years, yielding average electricity savings of $21,646.6 over 20 years.
King Manalo
Last Reviewed By: King Manalo
Published: 2024-11-04