2026 Minnesota Solar, Battery, EV Charger, Generator and Electrical Upgrade Incentives

Updated Feb. 5th, 2026

Minnesota solar installations have nearly doubled in recent years. One big reason is incentives from the state, the IRS, local utilities, and (in some cities) additional cost-share funding. Below is a 2026-friendly list—organized by category—so you can quickly find what applies to your home or business.

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Important disclaimer: We are not a tax advisor and do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Incentive eligibility and tax treatment depend on your situation. Please confirm details with the official program pages below and your tax professional.

Solar Incentives (2026)

Net Metering (Utility Company Pays You!)

Minnesota’s net metering law lets you send excess solar energy to the grid and receive bill credit from your utility. In most cases, you earn credit at (or close to) your retail electric rate. However, size limits and credit details vary by utility, so system design matters.
MN Statute (Net Metering) – Details

MN Solar Sales Tax Exemption (Statewide)

Minnesota exempts qualifying solar energy systems from state sales tax, which lowers upfront cost. Typically, the exemption is handled at purchase using the correct exemption documentation.
Program summary  |  MN Dept. of Revenue – Exemption certificates

Solar on Minnesota Schools

Minnesota’s Solar on Schools program helps eligible schools add solar on (or adjacent to) school buildings.
MN Dept. of Commerce – Solar on Schools

Solar on Public Buildings

Minnesota’s Solar on Public Buildings program helps local governments and Tribal Nations install solar on public facilities.
MN Dept. of Commerce – Solar on Public Buildings

City of Minneapolis – Green Cost Share (Solar)

Minneapolis offers solar funding through Green Cost Share for buildings in the city.
Minneapolis – Green Cost Share (Solar)

City of Edina Community Climate Action Fund

Edina’s Community Climate Action Fund supports climate-forward upgrades, including solar cost share when available. Edina caps solar cost-share reimbursements at a $4 per watt maximum.
City of Edina – Community Climate Action Fund

City of Plymouth – Home Energy Rebate Program (Solar / EV / Insulation / Appliances)

Plymouth’s Home Energy Rebate Program is a local, two-year pilot program for Plymouth residents (builders/developers not eligible). It encourages energy-efficient home upgrades and can include rebates for insulation, EV charging, select appliance/equipment upgrades, and renewable energy systems (solar/wind).
Plymouth – Home Energy Rebate Program (Official)

City of Hopkins – Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund (Solar / Battery / EV / LED Lighting)

Hopkins offers incentives through its Climate Solutions Fund. Projects typically must be approved before purchase (see rules).
Hopkins – Climate Solutions Fund (Official)  |  Hopkins – Eligibility & Rebate Amounts (Official)  |  Hopkins – Rules & Procedures (Official)

City of St. Louis Park – Solar Bonus Cost Share (Updated %)

St. Louis Park’s Climate Champions Solar Bonus Cost Share reimburses a percentage of eligible solar costs.
St. Louis Park – Solar Bonus Cost Share (Official)

Dakota Electric Solar Rebate

Dakota Electric Association offers a $500 rebate per premise for a new solar PV system (PTO required).
Dakota Electric – Renewable/Solar rebates

Xcel Energy – Solar*Rewards

Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards is a performance-based incentive for customer-owned solar in Xcel territory.
Xcel – Solar*Rewards (Official)

Lake Region Electric Cooperative – Solar Programs

LREC offers member solar options, including GoWest® Solar.
LREC – Solar Programs  |  GoWest® Solar

Batteries / Storage Incentives (2026)

Xcel Energy – Upfront Battery Storage Incentive (MN)

MN Xcel customers may qualify for an upfront battery incentive when adding new battery storage to a new or existing solar interconnection agreement (rules apply).
MN Dept. of Commerce – Xcel battery incentive summary (Official)

MN Storage Incentive (Outside Xcel Territory)

For customers outside Xcel territory, Minnesota has offered statewide storage incentives administered by the MN Department of Commerce for certain solar-paired batteries (funding and rules vary by year).
MN Dept. of Commerce – Energy Storage programs

St. Louis Park – Battery Storage Bonus (paired with solar)

St. Louis Park offers a battery storage bonus when storage is paired with solar through its Climate Champions pathways (rules/caps apply).
St. Louis Park – Climate Champions (Official)

EV Charger Incentives (2026)

Federal EV Charger Tax Credit (30C)

The federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (“30C”) can cover up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment and certain installation costs at qualifying locations. Important 2026 date: under IRS guidance, you generally can’t claim the credit for property placed in service after June 30, 2026.
IRS – 30C Credit (Official)

Xcel Energy – EV Charger & Wiring Rebate

Xcel offers an EV Charger and Wiring (Home Wiring) rebate to help offset the cost of adding a Level 2 circuit and eligible charger equipment (amounts vary; income-qualified customers may qualify for more).
Xcel – EV Charger & Wiring Rebate (Official)

Connexus Energy – EV Charger Installation Rebate

Connexus offers EV charger rebates for qualifying customers (often tied to an EV rate or program enrollment).
Connexus – EV Charger Rebate (Official)

Wright-Hennepin – EV Charging Program & Rebate

Wright-Hennepin offers an EV rebate (typically for a hardwired 240V Level 2 station; requirements apply).
Wright-Hennepin – EV Program (Official)

Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative – EV Charger Rebate

MVEC offers an EV charger rebate tied to its EV charging program requirements.
MVEC – Rebates (EV Chargers)

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) – EV Incentives

RPU offers EV-related incentives through its Conserve & Save rebates (offerings can change by program year).
RPU – Residential Conserve & Save Rebates (Official)

MN Utility + City EV Charger Rebates (Expanded list)

Minnesota has a large number of municipal utilities and electric cooperatives that offer EV charger rebates—often with a requirement that the charger is WiFi-connected (“smart”) and/or enrolled in an off-peak/load-control program.

Quick reference: This list is compiled from a Minnesota utilities/cities roundup. Always confirm current terms on the official utility page before purchase.
MN EV rebates roundup (utility/city list)

Click to expand the full utility & city rebate list (EV charger rebates)

• Agralite Electric Cooperative – up to $500 (often tied to load management)
• ALP Utilities – $500 smart Level 2 / up to $150 non-connected (Bright Energy Solutions portal)
• Arrowhead Electric Cooperative – $500
• BENCO Electric Cooperative – up to $500 (often up to 50% of project cost)
• Blue Earth Light & Water – up to $500
• City of Anoka – EV charger rebate tied to TOU enrollment
• City of Barnesville – $500 smart Level 2 / up to $150 other
• City of Benson – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Breckenridge – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Buffalo – $500 bill credit (Level 2)
• City of Chaska – $250 (Level 2); business DC fast charging rebate available
• City of Detroit Lakes – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Elk River – up to $700 (Level 2)
• City of Jackson – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Luverne – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Marshall – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• Moorhead Public Service – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other (Bright Energy Solutions portal)
• City of Saint Peter – “coming soon” EV charger rebate (check status)
• City of Sauk Centre – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of St. James – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Staples – $500 WiFi Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Wadena – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• City of Worthington – $500 WiFi Level 2 / $150 other
• Connexus Energy – up to $500 (and commercial workplace charging incentives)
• Cooperative Light & Power – $500 (often tied to TOU enrollment)
• Crow Wing Cooperative – $350
• Dakota Electric Association – $500
• East Central Energy – $500
• Federated Rural Electric Association – $500
• Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services – up to $400
• Glencoe Light & Power – up to $250 (commercial incentives may apply)
• Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association – $500 (often tied to TOU enrollment)
• City of Hawley – $50/kW (cap applies)
• Heartland Power Cooperative – up to $800 (metered Level 2) / $400 (standard Level 2)
• Hutchinson Utilities Commission – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• Itasca-Mantrap Cooperative Electrical Association – $500
• Kandiyohi Power Cooperative – $200
• Lake Park Public Utilities – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• Lake Region Electric Cooperative – $500
• McLeod Cooperative Power Association – $500
• Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association – $500
• Melrose Public Utilities – $500 smart Level 2 / $150 other
• MiEnergy Cooperative – up to $800
• Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative – $500 (check current reopen/availability status)
• Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative – $150
• Minnkota Power Cooperative – $50/kW (cap applies)
• Nobles Cooperative Electric – $500
• North Star Electric Cooperative – $50/kW (cap applies)
• People’s Cooperative Services – up to $800
• Red Lake Electric Cooperative – $50/kW
• Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association – $50/kW (higher cap may apply)
• Rochester Public Utilities – $200
• Roseau Electric Cooperative – $100/kW (cap applies)
• Runestone Electric Association – $500 controlled / $250 non-controlled (typ.)
• Stearns Cooperative Electric Association – $500
• Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric – $500
• Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative – $500
• Wild Rice Electric Cooperative – $50/kW (cap applies)
• Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association – $500 bill credit

EV Purchase Incentives (Minnesota)

MN State EV Rebate Program – status

Minnesota previously offered a state EV rebate program. Program funding status can change; always confirm the latest status before you plan around it.
MN Dept. of Commerce – EV rebate program (Official)  |  Alternative Fuels Data Center – MN EV laws & incentives

Utility EV purchase rebates (select MN utilities)

Some utilities offer rebates toward the purchase of a new EV or PHEV (separate from charger rebates). Confirm availability and requirements on the utility’s official page.
MN utility EV rebate roundup (includes EV purchase incentives)

Electrical Services / Upgrade Incentives (2026)

Federal Home Electrification Appliance Rebates (HEAR) – Minnesota rollout status

HEAR can help eligible households reduce the cost of electrification upgrades. Minnesota’s rollout timing is controlled by the state and federal approval status.
MN Dept. of Commerce – HEAR (Official)  |  MN Dept. of Commerce – Save Energy Minnesota status (Official)

Federal Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) – Minnesota rollout status

HOMES is aimed at whole-home energy saving improvements (rebate amounts depend on energy savings and income). Minnesota’s program status and requirements are published by MN Commerce.
MN Dept. of Commerce – HOMES (Official)  |  MN Dept. of Commerce – Save Energy Minnesota status (Official)

Xcel Energy – Electrical Panel Upgrade Rebate (Up to $1,500)

Xcel offers an electrical panel upgrade rebate for qualifying customers who upgrade their panel/service to support electrification loads (documentation required).
Xcel – Electrification rebates (Official)

Generator Incentives (2026)

Connexus Energy – Peak-Shaving Generation Credit Rider (Standby Generator Program)

Connexus offers a Peak-Shaving Generation Credit Rider for qualifying standby generation sites (best fit: larger sites with standby capacity).
Connexus – Generator program (Official)

Energy Efficiency Rebates (Lighting / Appliances / HVAC / Windows / Insulation) – 2026

ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder (Nationwide “find rebates near you” tool)

Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to search by ZIP code for rebates in your area (appliances, lighting, HVAC, water heating, smart thermostats, EV chargers, and more).
ENERGY STAR – Rebate Finder (Official)

Xcel Energy – “Home Rebates” (Lighting, recycling, appliances, and more)

Xcel’s “Home Rebates” hub includes common programs like discounted LEDs and other residential offerings (programs and dates can change).
Xcel – Home Rebates hub

CenterPoint Energy (MN) – Efficiency programs (Insulation / Windows / HVAC / Water heaters / Thermostats)

CenterPoint Energy offers multiple MN rebates including air sealing & insulation rebates and window rebates (program requirements and deadlines apply).
CenterPoint – Efficiency programs & rebates (MN)  |  CenterPoint – Air sealing & insulation rebates

Minnesota Power – Rebates

Minnesota Power publishes annual rebate tables (many offers run through the calendar year, but confirm the current rules and dates).
Minnesota Power – Rebates (Official)

Minnesota Energy Resources – Rebates (insulation / air sealing / windows + more)

Minnesota Energy Resources lists rebates for air sealing/insulation and windows, plus other categories (confirm eligibility before purchase).
Minnesota Energy Resources – Rebates (Official)

Moorhead Public Service – Bright Energy Solutions® rebates portal

Moorhead Public Service uses Bright Energy Solutions® for residential and business rebates.
Moorhead Public Service – Rebates page  |  Bright Energy Solutions – Moorhead portal

City of North St. Paul – example municipal utility rebate list

Some MN cities that run municipal electric utilities publish annual rebate lists (often appliances, thermostats, etc.).
City of North St. Paul – 2026 Electric Rebates (Official)

EV Off-Peak / Time-of-Use Savings Programs (Minnesota)

MN Off-Peak / TOU EV charging programs (expanded list)

Many MN utilities (especially co-ops and municipal utilities) offer time-of-use (TOU) or load-control programs for EV charging. Terms vary by utility and may require a separate meter or controllable charger.
MN utility list of TOU/load-management EV programs

Click to expand examples of MN TOU / off-peak EV charging programs

• Arrowhead Electric Cooperative – load management / restricted off-peak charging window
• Beltrami Electric Cooperative – seasonal load management / TOU windows
• BENCO Electric Cooperative – on-peak / mid-peak / off-peak pricing structure
• Blue Earth Light & Water – off-peak overnight pricing
• City of Anoka – off-peak vs on-peak pricing (TOU)
• City of Chaska – seasonal TOU pricing
• City of Elk River – TOU with lower overnight rate
• City of Owatonna – seasonal TOU schedule
• Connexus Energy – time-of-day program + optional EV subscription option
• Cooperative Light & Power – TOU program (often requires separate meter)
• Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative – EV rate with defined off-peak windows
• Willmar Municipal Utilities – monthly credit for controllable EV charging
• Wright-Hennepin – TOU plan + optional EV subscription option

Commercial Incentives

Investment Tax Credit (ITC / 48E)

Commercial solar projects may qualify for a federal investment tax credit through the Clean Electricity Investment Credit (48E) framework (rules apply; confirm with your tax professional).
IRS – Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Official)

USDA REAP Grants

USDA Rural Development’s REAP helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses fund solar and other eligible projects (timing and “before you build” rules matter).
USDA – REAP Program (Official)

Accelerated Depreciation

Businesses can often pair the commercial solar tax credit with accelerated depreciation (often 5-year MACRS for qualifying property; confirm with your tax professional).
IRS – Cost recovery (MACRS) for clean energy (Official)

Xcel Energy – Photovoltaic Demand Credit Rider (Commercial Solar)

Xcel (NSP Minnesota) offers a Photovoltaic Demand Credit Rider for qualifying demand-metered customers (rules apply; generally not available if receiving certain other Xcel solar incentives).
Xcel MN Electric Rate Book – PV Demand Credit Rider (PDF)

Xcel Energy – Business Lighting & Equipment Rebates

For businesses, Xcel offers lighting and equipment rebates (eligibility varies by equipment and project type).
Xcel – Business lighting & equipment rebates

Changing laws

Incentives can change over time, so it’s smart to act while programs are open. Programs may have limited funding and can close without notice. Dates matter: some federal items have fixed end dates (example: EV charger 30C after June 30, 2026), and many utility rebates have annual deadlines or limited funding windows.

If you have questions—or want help confirming which incentives apply—please give us a call. We’ll walk through eligibility, paperwork, and design rules so you can capture every available benefit.