Solar Panel Calculator for Minneapolis, MN
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Minneapolis, MN, using local NREL sunshine data, Minnesota prices and electricity rates.
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Minneapolis gets about 4.64 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,342 kWh a year. That ranks #78 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jul and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Minneapolis by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Minneapolis
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.88 | 632 kWh | $104 |
| Feb | 3.72 | 728 kWh | $120 |
| Mar | 5.14 | 1,056 kWh | $174 |
| Apr | 5.48 | 1,040 kWh | $171 |
| May | 5.80 | 1,104 kWh | $181 |
| Jun | 6.36 | 1,152 kWh | $189 |
| Jul | 6.66 | 1,224 kWh | $201 |
| Aug | 5.94 | 1,104 kWh | $181 |
| Sep | 5.10 | 944 kWh | $155 |
| Oct | 3.64 | 728 kWh | $120 |
| Nov | 2.63 | 528 kWh | $87 |
| Dec | 2.31 | 504 kWh | $83 |
| Year | 4.64 | 10,736 kWh | $1,765 |
Savings at 16.44¢ per kWh (Minnesota average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $3.23 per watt, the Minnesota average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $12,920 | $882 | 15.2 yrs | $7,868 |
| 6 kW | $19,380 | $1,324 | 15.2 yrs | $11,802 |
| 8 kW | $25,840 | $1,765 | 15.2 yrs | $15,736 |
| 10 kW | $32,300 | $2,206 | 15.2 yrs | $19,670 |
| 12 kW | $38,760 | $2,647 | 15.2 yrs | $23,604 |
How many panels you need in Minneapolis
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.47 kW | 12 |
| 750 kWh | 6.71 kW | 17 |
| 1,000 kWh | 8.94 kW | 23 |
| 1,500 kWh | 13.41 kW | 34 |
| 2,000 kWh | 17.88 kW | 45 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,342 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Minneapolis?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $25,840 before incentives, saves about $1,765 in its first year and pays back in about 15.2 years.
How many peak sun hours does Minneapolis get?
About 4.64 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 2.3 in Dec to 6.7 in Jul, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Minneapolis?
About 1,342 kWh a year, or 112 kWh a month on average.
Is there a federal solar tax credit?
Not for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- EnergySage, Solar panel cost by state (updated November 6, 2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b