Minnesota Power - SolarSense Solar Rebate Program
Administered by Minnesota Power
SolarSense can lower the upfront cost of installing a solar PV system by paying a rebate of $0.27 per kWh of your system's estimated first-year production, capped at $5,000 or 60% of installed costs, whichever is less. To qualify you must be a Minnesota Power customer in good standing, own your home and system, and have a household income below 150% of area median income. Apply during the annual application window (March 1–5 for 2026); because funds are limited, awards are made by lottery, so submit early and note that projects must be completed within six months of approval.
SolarSense helps your income-qualified customers (under 150% AMI) afford grid-tied PV by rebating $0.27/kWh of estimated first-year production, calculated using NREL's PV Watts based on system tilt, orientation, and shading. You must be NABCEP- or UL-certified, install new equipment (nameplate 40 kW AC or less) with a 20-year module warranty, 10-year inverter warranty, and offer a two-year workmanship warranty, and production must be measured by a dedicated production meter. Submit system design specifications and get project pre-approval before installing equipment, and be aware the customer must complete installation within six months of rebate approval or forfeit their spot.
SolarSense is a production-based PV rebate ($0.27/kWh of PV Watts–estimated first-year output, capped at the lesser of $5,000 or 60% of installed cost) funded at $87,675 annually through 2027. Applications open each March 1 (accepted March 1–5, 2026) and are awarded by lottery when oversubscribed, with a first-come waitlist for remaining funds; projects in Disadvantaged Communities and Tribal Lands (per the MPCA environmental justice map) are prioritized when qualified applications exceed the budget. Eligibility targets Minnesota Power retail customers below 150% AMI who own their system and property, with installer certification, equipment, warranty, and production-metering requirements, and a six-month completion deadline after approval.
Program details
- Program ID
- 1092
- Effective
- 1/1/2004
- Last updated
- 9/8/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial industrial nonprofit residential federal government multifamily residential institutional
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics
Incentive amount
$87,675 (2025-2027)
Program summary
Minnesota Power offers a rebate for grid-connected solar-electric (PV) systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. Rebates are worth $0.27/kWh expected production in the system's first year of operation. The expected production is determined by using PV Watts, a publicly available tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and accounts for specific characteristics of the system's siting.
The installer must submit system design specifications to Minnesota Power in order to calculate the incentive estimate. Customers must also get preapproval of the project prior to purchase and installation of equipment. Additional requirements exist; see website above for complete details.
Contact & resources
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
