Plug-In Solar in Minnesota

Minnesota lawmakers tried in 2026 to allow plug-in solar systems of up to 1,200 watts. The bills didn't pass before the session ended, so there's no law yet.

A home with a plug-in solar panel on the porch railing, the kind of kit Minnesota's rules apply to

No plug-in solar law in Minnesota yetBill HF 3555
Utility rules apply here.There's no cap on plug-in watts.
16.4 centsPer kWh, the EIA home price average covers Jan to Aug 2026.
Each year: $181.The amount for an 800 W kit in Minneapolis applies before any solar fee from the utility.

Before you connect in Minnesota, get approval from your electric utility. Use an inverter that is listed to UL 1741 and has anti-islanding, or is listed to UL 3700.

Minnesota Plug-In Bills

HF 3555 (2026): It was introduced February 23, 2026, then referred to a committee: the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee. Later, only authors were added, and it didn't pass. Bill details
SF 3873 (2026): This Senate companion (same revisor draft 26-06795) was introduced February 26, 2026, then referred for handling by the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee. The bill would have excluded NRTL-listed devices of 1,200 W or less from needing interconnection agreements, net metering, and either utility fees or approval. Details
SF 4504 (2026): This Senate energy omnibus bill contained plug-in solar language. On May 12, 2026, it won a Senate 35-32 vote, then received referral to the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee and stopped there. Bill page

Minnesota's Current Rule

For a generator of 10 MW or under connecting at the distribution level, Minnesota's statewide MN DIP interconnection process applies. The customer submits an interconnection application to the utility, with electronic submission offered.

Net metering: It exists under Minn. Stat. 216B.164: You may choose payment for net exports at the utility's average retail energy rate if your system is under 40 kW.

Kit Savings in Minnesota

Each 1 kW of panels in Minneapolis yields 1,373 kWh a year, according to PVWatts. In Minnesota, homes pay 16.4 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. An 800 W kit's results change with placement:

Where the panels go	kWh a year	Saved a year
Tilted south on a stand	1,098	$181
Upright on a railing	692	$114
Facing east or west	879	$144

Monthly Figures for Minneapolis

Jan72
Feb82
Mar111
Apr103
May103
Jun108
Jul122
Aug109
Sep98
Oct78
Nov59
Dec54

The kWh an 800 W kit makes, with panels tilted south.

Minnesota Kit Prices

Kit	kWh a year	Saved a year	Pays back in	Price
US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit	1,620	$266	3.4 years	$899
Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit	494	$81	5.1 years	$414
EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit	1,098	$181	6.1 years	$1,099

All tilted south and used at home. Compare all kits

Things Worth Knowing in Minnesota

For net exports, small solar systems (under 40 kW) in Minnesota receive the utility's average retail energy rate. It's a generous net metering rule.
In 2024, the average power cost for a Minnesota home was 15.45 cents/kWh.

Renting a place, or on a balcony?

The mount is your landlord's or HOA's choice, while your electric utility makes the hookup decision. See balcony solar and apartment solar.

Key Utilities

Northern States Power Company - Minnesota (Xcel Energy)
Minnesota Power (ALLETE, Inc.)
Otter Tail Power Company
Connexus Energy

Next Steps for You in Minnesota

Choose a size: in Minneapolis, about 549 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit, and about 1,647 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Run yours.
Watch HF 3555 during the next session. Should it pass, you may no longer need that approval step.

Sources

Check every state at a glance or look at a nearby state: South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa.