Solar Savings Calculator
Pick your home size, roof direction and shading to see a realistic Minnesota estimate — built on real local energy data. Then get exact numbers in a free assessment.
Tells us roughly how much energy you use.
The way your biggest roof faces.
More shade means less power.
- A 8.1 kW system covers a home this size at this roof & shading.
- Built on real Minnesota production (~1,250 kWh per kW per year) and today’s energy rate (~$0.16/kWh).
- Energy gets ~2.5% more valuable each year (rising rates, minus panel aging).
- Backed by our 30-year Solar Insure warranty.
- You own the system — we don’t do residential leases or PPAs in Minnesota.
A ballpark from typical Minnesota numbers — not a quote. The residential federal tax credit ended Dec 31, 2025, so it’s not in this math. Businesses & farms also qualify for the 30% ITC (time-limited) plus depreciation — ask us.
Get my real numbers →What's behind the estimate.
A quick look at the assumptions under the number, so you know what it's counting — and what it isn't.
It's sized to your home, to roughly full offset
The tool picks a system big enough to cover most of a typical Minnesota home's yearly electricity for the size you chose, then trims for your roof direction and shading. Your real usage sets the exact size — an EV-and-heat-pump household needs more, a frugal one less.
Real Minnesota production, not a national average
Every kilowatt of panels is modeled at about 1,250 kWh a year — a genuine Minnesota figure that already accounts for our snow, our cloudy stretches and our long, low winter sun. South-facing, unshaded roofs beat it; north or heavily shaded roofs fall below.
Rising rates are why 30 years matters
Today's energy is valued near $0.16/kWh and nudged up about 2.5% a year (utility rate increases, minus slow panel aging). Over three decades that escalation is most of the gap between a modest year-one figure and the larger lifetime total.
It's savings you own — no lease math
Every dollar here assumes you own the system, because we don't do residential leases or PPAs in Minnesota. It also sits behind our 30-year Solar Insure coverage on workmanship, roof and parts — panels and microinverters included.
Keep going: see the array this implies in the System Size Estimator, find your break-even in the Payback Calculator, or read your actual roof with the Roof Solar Estimator.
Where the estimate stops.
It assumes a typical home for that size
Two 2,000-square-foot homes can use very different amounts of power. The estimate uses a typical usage profile — your actual bills, appliances and EV move it. We pull your real usage in a free assessment.
It doesn't read your specific roof
Direction and shading here are broad buckets, not a measured layout. For your true usable area and panel count, run the Roof Solar Estimator or have us out.
It leaves incentives out on purpose
The math is pre-incentive. For qualifying homes, Xcel's Solar*Rewards can add a per-kWh production payment on top — real money this estimate doesn't count. The Incentive Finder shows what you'd qualify for.
It isn't a quote
It's a strong ballpark from Minnesota averages. The exact system, price and savings come from a site visit — that's the "get my real numbers" step.
Frequently asked.
Is this calculator a quote?
No — it’s a realistic ballpark from your home size, roof direction and shading using typical Minnesota production. A free assessment gives you exact, site-specific numbers after we study your roof.
How is the estimate calculated?
We estimate your yearly energy use from your home size, size a system to cover it for your roof direction and shading, then compare 30 years of energy value against the install cost. We use real Minnesota production (~1,250 kWh per kW per year) and current energy rates.
Does it include the tax credit?
No. The estimate is energy value only, and there is no federal residential solar credit anymore — it ended December 31, 2025. Businesses and farms still qualify for the 30% commercial ITC plus depreciation, which we model separately.
Does this include Xcel Solar*Rewards?
No — on purpose. The math is pre-incentive. For qualifying Minnesota homes on Xcel, Solar*Rewards pays a set amount per kWh your system produces for the first several years, on top of the bill savings shown here. Check the Incentive Finder for current rates and eligibility.
What's the 30-year Solar Insure warranty?
It's two separate protections. One is a 30-year policy on the workmanship, your roof penetrations and the parts — covering both the panels and the microinverters. The other is a separate battery warranty if you add storage. It stays in force even if iSolar isn't around in year 30.
How is the 30-year savings figured?
Year-one energy value — production times your rate — grows about 2.5% a year and is summed across 30 years, then the install cost is subtracted. Ownership is assumed throughout; leases and PPAs aren't part of it.
Want the real numbers?
A free assessment beats any calculator. Book yours.