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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Minnesota

ConsideringUpdated August 2, 2026

Minnesota gets surprisingly good solar irradiance for its latitude due to long summer days. Xcel Energy is generally supportive of distributed generation but applies standard Level 1 interconnection/net metering rules to all grid-tied systems regardless of size, with no carve-out for sub-1,500W plug-in devices. A bill (HF 3555/SF 3873) that would have exempted UL-certified plug-in solar from interconnection and net metering requirements was folded into the energy omnibus bill SF 4504, which did not pass before the legislature adjourned on May 18, 2026. Until a law passes, plug-in solar devices technically fall under the same rules as full rooftop systems.

Get notified when Minnesota goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when Minnesota passes — no spam.

What You Can Use in Minnesota While You Wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal in Minnesota right now, no law required.

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~4.4h

Powers: Phone, router, and lights through the outage, plus ~6 hours of CPAP a night

$299 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Most popular

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~16h

Powers: A fridge, router, and lights running through a full day outage

$449 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~31h

Powers: A full-size fridge and CPAP for days, or a window AC unit for a few hours

$749 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗

See the full solar backup guide

Runtime charts for real devices, more kit options, and setup steps.

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Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.115/kWh in 2021 → $0.140/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.115
2021
$0.120
2022
$0.124
2023
$0.129
2024
$0.135
2025
$0.140
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.307/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,369
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

What a Minnesota Law Could Look Like

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Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A Minnesota law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

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High rates = strong economics

At Minnesota's avg. $0.140/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $123/year. Payback in as few as 6 years at current rates.

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Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

FAQ

Is plug-in solar legal in Minnesota?
Not yet. A bill (HF 3555/SF 3873) that would have exempted UL-certified plug-in/balcony solar devices from Xcel Energy's standard interconnection and net metering rules was folded into the energy omnibus bill SF 4504, which did not pass before the legislature adjourned on May 18, 2026. Any grid-tied device, regardless of wattage, currently falls under Xcel's normal Level 1 interconnection process.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Minnesota?
Generally no for homeowners. Minn. Stat. § 500.216 (effective 2023) prohibits HOAs from banning solar energy systems outright on single-family homes and certain owner-occupied multi-family properties, though they can impose reasonable placement rules within defined limits. This law wasn't written with plug-in/balcony devices specifically in mind, and renters in typical association-maintained buildings aren't clearly covered.
Does Xcel Energy offer net metering?
Yes. Xcel Energy provides net metering for systems up to 120% of a customer's annual electricity usage, with most residential installs falling under the simplified 'Level 1' (<10kW) interconnection tier -- though this still requires an application, inspection, and bidirectional meter.
What's Minnesota's solar potential?
Minnesota's solar potential is better than many people expect -- long summer daylight hours and cool temperatures (which improve panel efficiency) help offset its northern latitude, making rooftop and balcony solar a realistic supplement to grid power for much of the year.
When might plug-in solar become explicitly legal in Minnesota?
It depends on a future reintroduction. HF 3555/SF 3873, which would have defined 'plug-in solar photovoltaic devices' (up to 1,200W) and exempted UL-certified units from utility interconnection agreements and fees, was folded into the omnibus energy bill SF 4504 — which did not pass before the 2026 session ended May 18, 2026. No enacted law exists yet.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment Minnesota files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.