Kilowatt Atlas

Minnesota solar and rebates

Minnesota Net Metering and Efficiency Rebates by Utility

Net metering and utility efficiency rebates in Minnesota, from federal data: how many homes use net metering, what utilities paid out and where to find current offers.

Reviewed Net metering and efficiency data: EIA Form EIA-861, 2025. Federal rules checked October 10, 2026

Net metering customers

29,371

11.3 per 1,000 homes

Capacity

358.1 MW

12.2 kW per customer

Efficiency incentives per home

$12.41

25th of 50

Average price

15.83 cents

8% below the US average

Net metering in Minnesota

Utilities in Minnesota reported 29,371 residential customers on net metering in 2025, with 358.1 megawatts of capacity, which averages 12.2 kilowatts per customer. That is 11.3 customers per 1,000 homes. Among the 51 places that reported, Minnesota ranks 34th, and the national ranking is on the net metering by state page.

Minnesota utilities with the most residential net metering customers, 2025
UtilityNet metering customersMegawatts
Xcel Energy Minnesota16,190122.5
Dakota Electric Association1,74217.0
Connexus Energy1,47513.4
ALLETE1,21011.8
MiEnergy Cooperative85413.8

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data), net metering schedule, residential. The count covers net metering only. Solar homes on other export arrangements are tracked separately by EIA.

What an exported kWh is worth in Minnesota

The value of a solar export depends on the credit your utility pays. As an illustration, take 7,000 kWh of solar power in a year, a made-up figure and not a forecast for any home. At the 2025 Minnesota average price of 15.83 cents per kWh, that power is worth $1,108 if the utility credits it at the full retail price. If the utility credits exports at half that rate, it is worth $554.

The gap shows why the export credit matters so much. Ask the utility which applies to you, and use the solar savings calculator to set the retail and export prices separately.

Utility efficiency rebates in Minnesota

In 2025, 24 Minnesota utilities reported efficiency programs to EIA. Together they paid about $32,341,700 in incentives to residential customers, or $12.41 per home, which ranks 25th of 50. The programs reported 244,918 megawatt hours of first year residential savings, about 7.6 kWh for each dollar of incentive.

Minnesota utilities paying the most residential efficiency incentives, 2025
UtilityPaid to residential customers
Xcel Energy Minnesota$22.6 million
Great River Energy$4.0 million
ALLETE$1.5 million
Otter Tail Power$1.5 million

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data), energy efficiency schedule. Paid incentives show what a utility spent, not what you can get. See efficiency rebates by state for the national ranking.

What the federal credits mean in Minnesota

The IRS says the residential clean energy credit, which covered solar panels, does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and the home improvement credit does not apply to property placed in service after that date. That is true in every state. What remains are state and utility offers, and the federal home energy rebates that states run. See solar incentives and home energy rebates.

Source: IRS FS-2025-05, read October 10, 2026. This is not tax advice.

Where to look for current Minnesota offers

  1. Search the DSIRE database for Minnesota incentives and net metering rules.
  2. Enter your ZIP code in the ENERGY STAR rebate finder.
  3. Ask your electric company about its net metering, export credit and rebate programs. Find it in the Minnesota utility list.
  4. Read the rules at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which oversees investor-owned utilities.

Minnesota solar and rebate questions

Does Minnesota have net metering?

Minnesota utilities reported 29,371 residential net metering customers and 358.1 megawatts in 2025. The credit for exports depends on the utility and the state rules, so ask yours.

Is there a federal solar tax credit in Minnesota?

The IRS says the residential clean energy credit does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025, so it does not apply in any state for new installs.

How much do Minnesota utilities pay in efficiency rebates?

In 2025, Minnesota utilities that reported to EIA paid about $32,341,700 in efficiency incentives to residential customers, about $12.41 per home.

Where do I find Minnesota solar and rebate offers?

Search the DSIRE database and the ENERGY STAR rebate finder, then ask your electric company and your state energy office before you sign anything.

Related pages