2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Chaska, MN - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Chaska.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Chaska?
Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program
Medium-sized Systems 25.1-500 kW: $0.0375/kWh
Large Systems (>500kW): Determined through competitive bid
Wind and Solar-Electric (PV) Systems Exemption
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Wind Energy Sales Tax Exemption
Xcel Energy (Electric and Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Natural Gas Furnace Existing Home: $200-$400
Natural Gas Furnace New Construction: $100-$200
Natural Gas Hot Water Boiler: $100-$400
ECM Furnace: $100
Central AC: $150-$450
Tank Water Heater: $75-$500
Tankless Water Heater: $250
Attic/Wall Insulation: 30% of project cost
Air Sealing: $150-$200
Furnaces: $200-$425
Boilers: $125-$400
ECM Motor Furnace Fan: $125
Programmable Thermostat: $10
Heat Pumps: $175-$475
Water Heating: $100-$250
Clothes Washer: $10
Refrigerator: $15
Ground Source Heat Pump: $150/ton
Brainerd Public Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Xcel Energy - Renewable Development Fund Grants
Connexus Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program
OR
$20,000
Great River Energy (28 Member Cooperatives) - Energy Wise Residential Efficiency Rebates
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Quick Cash Air-Source Heat Pump: up to $900
Quick Cash Air Conditioning: up to $200
Peak Shave Water Heating: $15/kW
Quick Cash Water Heating: Up to $950
Metered Water Storage: $0.06/kWh
Ductless Air Source Heat Pump: $200
Quick Cash Water Storage: up to $300
Dual Fuel: $5/kW
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) $5/kW
HVAC Electronically Commutated Motor: $50/motor
Pool Pumps: $200-$400
Home Energy Loan Program
Fix-Up Loan
Renewable Energy Production Incentive
1.0¢/kWh for certain hydro facilities in need of repair
Shakopee Public Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Dishwasher: $100
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $200
Air Source Heat Pump: $200-$500/unit
Ground Source Heat Pump: $100/ton
LED Bulbs: $5
LED Holiday Light Strings: $3
Mini-Split Ductless A/C: $200
Refrigerator: $200
Room A/C: $25
Room A/C recycling: $50
Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Freezer/Refrigerator: $25
Dishwasher: $25
Air-Source Heat Pump: $500
Mini Split Heat Pump: $300
Ground-Source Heat Pump: $200 per ton
Air Conditioner: $100
ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor): $50
Electric Resistance Heating Products: $10/kW
Central A/C or Heat Pump Tune-Up: $25
Electric Resistant Heating Products: $10/kW
Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative -Residential Energy Resource Conservation Loan Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Solar incentives may include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the Minnesota government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels might qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Don't forget to talk with your Chaska utility company about signing a net metering contract. This allows you to receive credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. An incentive many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a given percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the cost of installing a solar system, although it has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.
Reaching out to your local Chaska solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC could apply to your situation.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now receive a credit equal to 30% of the total costs of solar system installation for projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed before the end of 2032. The credit percentage will then decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The program expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Chaska solar panel installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more might be claimed at multiple levels. Along with federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives — which may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Minnesota — may be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Chaska
The expanding number of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the Minnesota government, the federal government or your local utility company. Reach out to your local solar panel installation expert today to discover more about the various programs and to save the most money possible on a solar system for your Chaska home.
EcoWatch's Chaska, MN Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Do I qualify for any incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to a representative from the company that installed your system – or get in touch with a local Chaska solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Chaska annually?
After adding solar panels to your house in Chaska, you can expect to save about $924.61 per year, or approximately $17,567.50 over 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Chaska.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied could vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
What if I am planning to add a solar system to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences will fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.