Solar Panels Cost 7.6k-17k in Wright County, MN | December, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $7.6k-$17k in Wright County, MN | December, 2024

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

Going solar costs approximately $3.62/W in December, 2024 in Wright County, MN.

Or in other words, solar panels will cost you about $3,620 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacounty. Applying the 30% federal tax credit, the typical price for a 5 kW system in Wright County is around $12,670. It's important to consider that a higher capacity system may be required to meet your energy needs.

By selecting your county on the left, you can determine the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. You can also see an analysis of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county below.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Wright County: $12,670US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Wright 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.
Wright County: $12,001US Average: $16,152

Solar Potential in Wright County

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

Roof size 715sq. ft.
Capacity 10kW DC
Electricity 11.7kkWh AC per yr.

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

For Wright County energy consumers, the typical monthly kWh usage is 831, with an average electric bill of 125.42. Apartments and compact residences, which usually have diminished energy requirements, are covered in this statistic.

In December 2024, Wright County, MN's average electricity rate amounts to 15.09¢ per kWh.

At first, a 7 kW solar panel installation is priced at $25,340, but after a 30% tax credit, the final price is $17,738.

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Wright County

Available below and to the left is the pricing breakdown for multiple sizes of the solar panel systems set up in Wright County. Of course, a larger solar system means a greater upfront cost, but it also results in increased electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.

In the solar panel cost calculator situated below and to the right, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $125.42 electric bill in Wright County. Change the $125.42 with your average electricity bill to get more detailed results.

System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $652 a year
Est. Price
$7,602
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,346 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $54
  • Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $869 a year
Est. Price
$10,136
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,795 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $72
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,087 a year
Est. Price
$12,670
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,244 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $91
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,304 a year
Est. Price
$15,204
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,692 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $109
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,521 a year
Est. Price
$17,738
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,141 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $125
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1 mi less a year

Wright County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

With the REAP Grant, up to 100% and no less than 80% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines may be covered for rural small business owners and farmers. If you believe yourself eligible, we recommend utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your qualification.

Almost all homeowners can qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making solar energy a sensible option in most parts of the country. Besides the federal incentives, state and local programs also work to boost solar energy uptake.

Multiple utilities and governmental bodies in Minnesota offer 20 solar rebate and incentive programs.

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 Wright County, MN?

If your intention is to stay in your home beyond the solar payback period, installing solar panels is a smart option in Wright County. With a 5 kW solar system in Wright County, MN, the average savings over a 20 period is $17,430.8, with break even generally occurring at 8 years.

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

Without solar panels or another energy backup source, you lose out on the savings highlighted earlier and are completely dependent on your electric utility for power. Total dependence on your utility provider is not always ideal, as recent examples in the news have highlighted.

Residents in Wright County have seen an average of 0.85 utility outages per year in recent times. The average length of an outage is 76.82 minutes. In events like grid management errors, landslides or planned maintenance, this duration can extend significantly.

See the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Wright County.

A solar panel system could alleviate the burden of future outages, even if it doesn't have a backup battery.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Wright County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

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

Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt decreases with larger solar panel systems, even if the upfront cost is greater. Setting up a solar system that produces sufficient electricity to eliminate their electric bill is advantageous to most individuals, ensuring savings.

Make & Model - Just like many products, solar panels are offered in a wide variety of makes and models. Given the certain brand preferences an installer might have, choosing a highly rated installer is crucial. For buyers seeking a better long-term experience, choosing superior quality models is critical.

Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. Even though they are costlier, they provide more energy. The majority of installers work with panels made from this material.

Your Property - Challenges like trees, sloping terrain, or additional obstacles can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Nowadays, solar installers frequently leverage satellite images to assess your home and incorporate these elements into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Differences in employee wages across companies result in expenses that are transferred to the consumers. Reviews for work and customer service are often higher for businesses that pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Installation costs will be affected by regularly changing local permitting and utility interconnection fees, depending on the region. Good local installers will integrate these figures into your first estimates to prevent any surprises.

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Who are the best solar installers in Wright 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.

Wright County, MN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • During December, 2024, the average price for solar panel installations in Wright County, MN is $3.62/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Wright County, MN will cost about $12,670 after federal tax credits.
  • There are 20 rebates and incentives available in Minnesota from a range of utility providers and government organizations. Additionally, almost everyone is entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.
  • Paying cash offers the most savings, yet there are several financing options available today for solar panels that are also beneficial. Many installers work with financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
  • Yes, in Wright County, MN, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 8 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $17,430.8 over 20 years.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-12-08