Solar panel inspection costs vary depending on the size, location, type, and add-on work required. Use this breakdown of price factors to estimate your cost.
Solar Panel Installation Cost in Minneapolis [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $17,333 - $31,700
Installing solar panels in Minneapolis, Minnesota, averages $24,516, though it ranges between $17,333 and $31,700 based on system size, panel type, wattage, and more. A solar panel installer can assess your roof and install your system.
How we get this data
Westend61 / Getty Images
Westend61 / Getty Images
Cost Insights
Despite the harsh winters, Minneapolis’ climate provides the cold temperatures and sunlight that allow solar panels to perform effectively.
Installing a solar panel system in Minneapolis requires hiring a licensed contractor.
Minneapolis utility companies offer net metering to compensate you when your system produces more energy than you need.
Even though Minneapolis has a cloudy climate with lots of winter snow, solar panels can still produce enough energy to power your home throughout the year. This isn’t a budget-friendly project, but the savings on energy costs can be worth it over time. Solar panel installation costs in Minneapolis fall between $17,333 and $31,700, with most projects averaging $24,516. A solar installation pro can offer an estimate to help you budget for the project and calculate the payback period.
Solar Panel Installation Cost Factors
The cost to install solar panels in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is dependent on the solar system size and type of panels, as well as the hardware needed to mount the system.
Solar System Size
The size of the solar system will impact your solar panel installation costs. The larger the output, the more you’ll pay. Most homes need 6- to 10-kW (kilowatt) systems, which work out to anywhere from 15 to 34 panels, depending on the wattage. Solar panel systems in Minneapolis cost about $2.90 to $3.90 per watt.
The table below shows average costs based on the size of your solar system:
| Solar System Size (kW) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 | $11,600–$15,600 |
| 5 | $12,200–$16,500 |
| 6 | $17,200–$23,350 |
| 7 | $20,000–$27,250 |
| 8 | $22,950–$31,150 |
| 9 | $25,800–$35,050 |
| 10 | $28,700–$38,900 |
| 11 | $31,550–$42,800 |
| 12 | $34,400–$46,700 |
Type of Panel
When choosing the type of solar panel that works best for your home, consider three main factors: efficiency, life expectancy, and design. Minneapolis has plenty of cloudy days and significant snowfall during the winter, so choosing high-efficiency solar panels will help them produce energy when sunlight is minimal. Here’s how the type of solar panel can affect your cost:
| Type of Solar Panel | Average Cost per Watt | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monocrystalline | $0.90–$1.20 | Long lifespan (40 years), highest efficiency, performs in cloudy weather and with limited roof space | Most expensive, energy-intensive production process |
| Polycrystalline | $0.70–$1 | Environmentally friendly production, less expensive than monocrystalline | Less efficient than monocrystalline |
| Thin film | $0.50–$1 | Versatile for challenging locations or unconventional spaces, most affordable | Shortest lifespan (10–20 years), least efficient |
Number of Panels Needed
On average, most homes need anywhere from 20 to 25 panels to fully power a home, but this can range from as few as 15 to as many as 34. How many solar panels you need depends on the number of watts per panel, your energy consumption, and the efficiency of your panels. Your average solar panel will have an output of anywhere from 250 to 400 watts. The dimensions of your solar panels will also depend on the power output.
Solar System Hardware
Solar system hardware is necessary to install solar panels in Minneapolis. The type of mounts needed will depend on the system installation method, and you can discuss the best options with your solar pro.
The more advanced the technology, the higher the up-front cost. The type of mount will also affect the cost:
Fixed mounts: $10–$15 per mount
Adjustable mounts: $50 per mount
Tracking: $500–$3,000 or more per mount (these mounts can self-track sunlight, leading to up to 45% more energy production)
Other materials you will need for a solar energy system include the parts in the table below.
| Hardware | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| String inverter | $1,000–$3,000 each |
| Microinverters | $150–$300 each |
| Power optimizer | $80–$150 each |
| Solar battery | $400–$15,000 |
Inverter and microinverters: Convert direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity
Optimizer: Regulates currents so each panel is more energy efficient and prevents power loss
Battery: Stores excess energy from the system so homeowners can use it at night or during a power outage
Some systems use a single solar inverter or several microinverters that convert DC to AC electricity. Materials like the wiring and battery are often grouped with the package price unless you opt for add-on services.
Solar Panel Installation Pro Costs
Hiring an experienced pro to install your solar panels is key to making the most of this exciting new home addition. When you hire a professional solar panel installer in Minneapolis, budget $0.50 per watt for labor. This number doesn’t include permits or the cost of additional technology, such as special mounts, tiles, or shingles.
Electrical Labor Costs
Solar panel installation does require electrical work. Though many solar panel installation companies have a licensed electrician on staff who specializes in solar panels, roofing contractors sometimes subcontract an electrician. The average cost of hiring an electrician is $60 to $120 per hour.
Permits and Inspections
You’ll need to obtain a permit from the Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development department. This requires submitting plans for your system, information about the installer, roof condition, and more. Fees will depend on the scope of the project.
In addition to this building permit, you’ll also need an electrical permit from the Department of Labor and Industry’s Electrical Division.
Your solar panel installer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, can help you navigate the permitting and solar panel inspection process.
Does Solar Panel Installation Increase Home Value?
Solar panel installation in Minneapolis can increase your home value as buyers may be willing to pay a premium for utility savings and environmentally-friendly energy options. Installing solar panels can increase home value by an average of $15,000 in Minnesota. Another incentive to installing solar panels is that the added value they bring is exempt from property tax assessment, so your home value will go up, but your property taxes won’t.
Pro Tip
Once your solar panels are paid off, they're officially your property. If you move, you can reinstall them on a new rooftop. Alternatively, they can increase the value of your home by 3% to 4% and attract more buyers. They can also give your property a competitive edge in a buyers’ market.
Government Credits and Tax Incentives
The best way to save money on the up-front costs of installing solar panels is to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before it ends on December 31, 2025. The ITC allows homeowners to claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price of their solar panel system installation.
For example, if your solar panel system costs $30,000 before the federal tax credit, you can save around $9,000. However, to benefit from this credit, your solar system has to be installed and working before the federal incentive ends.
The ITC, also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, was originally extended through 2032 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, new federal legislation (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) signed into law on July 4, 2025, terminated the credit early. The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) outlines the high-level policy changes and restrictions on energy tax credits.
Additionally, the extra power you choose not to store in a battery can be sent back to the grid. Your local utility company will compensate you for that power, but the amount will vary. You can check the Utility Rate Database on Open EI to estimate how much you can expect to receive for generating excess energy.
State or Local Solar Incentives
To make solar panel installation more affordable and accessible, there are state and local incentives offered that can reduce the overall cost.
Solar Rebates
Minnesota utility companies may offer a solar rebate program that you can take advantage of. Minnesota Power’s SolarSense program, for instance, offers rebates to customers with a household income of less than 150% of the area median income to reduce the up-front costs associated with installing a solar panel system.
Net Metering
Net metering for homes with solar panels that produce more energy than they use. Compensation rates are determined by the utility company and are paid to the homeowner in the form of a check or a bill credit for systems under 40kW. Depending on your utility company, there may be additional incentives when you add solar battery storage.
Sales Tax Exemption
Many states, including Minnesota, offer a sales tax exemption when purchasing solar panels. Sales tax in Minneapolis is around 9%, depending on the specific area. This exemption means that you’ll avoid hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars in sales tax.
Group Buy Program
Minneapolis offers a group buy program for developers to help fund solar panel costs and installation. Individual homeowners may be able to contact a developer or solar installer and be included in a group buy application, which could reduce their total cost.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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