The Best Minnesota Solar Grants, Programs & Rebates
We plan on updating this as more and more rebates & grants for Minnesota hit the internet. As of today, April 23rd 2021, these are the latest and greatest. Make sure and check the 2021 Mortgage Stimulus program article here for more information on grants and rebates at the federal level.
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Did you know that there are several Ohio solar incentives, rebates, and programs expiring in 2023? Before you start worrying, you should know that there are unbelievable new incentives here now! Check out one of the most popular resources for learning about these programs in the link below. |
Via mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/energy-info/solar/
Minnesotans are often surprised to learn that our state has annual solar resources similar to areas of Florida and Texas. As consumers learn more about solar potential in Minnesota, demand will continue to rise.Advances in technology, declining equipment costs, and financial assistance in the form of tax credits and incentives make solar an attractive clean energy option. If you are interested in powering your home with solar energy, Commerce is to here to help.
- • Guidance
- • Alternatives
- • Additional resources
Guidance for planning and installing your own solar energy systemBefore investing in solar, first consider making some basic home improvements that will save energy:
- • Get an energy audit
- • Seal air leaks and add insulation
- • Repair or replace old heating and cooling systems
- • Replace old lighting with high-efficiency LEDs
- • Use a programmable thermostat
The Home Energy Guide can serve as a resource to help you reduce your energy use up-front.By making your home energy efficient first, you can reduce your energy consumption. A decrease in your energy demand will reduce the size of investment needed for your solar energy system, and maximize the returns on your system.After your home is energy efficient, you are ready to explore solar. But before you buy, take these steps:
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- • Get educated: Solar can generate electricity, heat water, or help heat your home. Making electricity is the most common use of solar energy in Minnesota today. Learn about solar through sources such as the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and the U.S. Department of Energy. Take a class on solar basics. Check for community education opportunities in your area. Talk to neighbors and friends who have installed solar. Contact your electric utility.
- • Plan your system: Find out if your location is suitable for solar. The Minnesota Solar Suitability App can help identify the solar potential of your home or business. But you will need a site assessment to determine if your location can capture enough of the sun’s rays. A third-party source, such as the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, can provide an independent site assessment.
- • Learn how to pay for it: The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIREUSA) provides the most complete list of financial incentives for solar systems. It includes information on the 30 percent federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit (good through December 2019); incentive programs (such as Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards Program), rebates, and loans from utilities and state agencies; and state sales and property tax exemptions. Your solar contractor can help identify incentives and financing options.
- • Get bids. To locate installers near you, check lists from the Clean Energy Project Builders, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), or the Solar Business Directory. Get two or three bids and make sure you compare apples to apples. Be sure each bid specifies system type and size, expected energy production, maintenance requirements, warranties, and installed cost. Exercise due diligence when hiring an installer; check out “Going solar? Tips for hiring a qualified installer .”
- • Finalize a contract with your professional solar installation company and have your system installed.
- • Maintain your system and keep track of its energy production.
