Utilities throughout Minnesota also offer great solar electric rebates programs that reduce your upfront costs when going solar, making solar power more accessible. Xcel Energy MN offers solar rebates of up to $1,000 per system and provides net metering programs that pay you for every kW of output generated by your array.
Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, Dakota Electric Association, and some Electric Cooperatives also offer varying incentive programs to help reduce the cost of installing a solar energy system.
How much energy a solar panel system produces plays a big part in net metering profits, which is why it’s essential to understand how net metering works. Yes, even the oldest net metering laws matter.
Net metering works by allowing you to sell back excess energy production back to electric utilities. The reason net metering works so well is due to the fact that it helps drastically offset the cost of installing solar panels. And after the solar PV system is paid off, you can start making money by banking on your solar photovoltaic system and redeeming renewable energy certificates!