The cost of solar panels in Big Lake, MN (2024)

Updated Jan 14, 2025

  • You'll pay an average of $14,094 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Big Lake, MN, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

Don't overpay for solar in Big Lake

Compare multiple offers and save up to 20%

Please enter a five-digit zip code.

Written by: Emily Walker

As of January 2025, the average solar panel system costs $2.82/W including installation in Big Lake, MN. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $14,094 before incentives, though prices range from $11,980 to $16,208. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Big Lake, MN

Good Price
$11,980 or less
Market Average
$14,094
High Price
$16,208 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Big Lake, MN state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $14,094 in Big Lake, MN, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Big Lake, MN

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$8,456$5,920
4 kW$11,275$7,893
5 kW$14,094$9,866
6 kW$16,913$11,839
7 kW$19,732$13,812
8 kW$22,551$15,785
9 kW$25,369$17,759
10 kW$28,188$19,732

Are solar panels worth it in Big Lake, MN?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Big Lake, MN. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $56,697 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Big Lake, MN. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

Payback Period
9.95 Years
25-Year Savings
$56,697
Cost-per-Watt
$2.82

If you can't shell out $14,094 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2025
Please enter a five-digit zip code.
  • 100% free to use, 100% online
  • Access the lowest prices from installers near you
  • Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help

The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in MN, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Centauri Systems
    New Hope, MN
    Established 2019
    Elite+ Installer
    Centauri Systems is Minnesota’s top choice for superior quality solar products and a 30-year warranty backed thro...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    68 Reviews

    Centauri Systems is Minnesota’s top choice for superior quality solar products and a 30-year warranty backed thro...
  • All Energy Solar
    Saint Paul, MN
    Established 2009
    Elite+ Installer
    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O...
  • Sisu Solar
    Saint Paul, MN
    Established 2020
    Elite Installer
    Here at Sisu Solar, the person selling you solar will the the same person installing your system. We are a small ...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    9 Reviews

    Here at Sisu Solar, the person selling you solar will the the same person installing your system. We are a small ...
  • Freedom Solar Pros
    Eagan, MN
    Established 2011
    Advanced Installer
    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
    Advanced Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    5 Reviews

    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
  • Wolf River Electric
    Isanti, MN
    Established 2014
    Advanced Installer
    Wolf River prides itself on customer satisfaction, timely installation, and working with reputable distributors t...
    Advanced Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Wolf River prides itself on customer satisfaction, timely installation, and working with reputable distributors t...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Big Lake, MN.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Big Lake, MN. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

We pre-screen and monitor all of our partners

Consumer reviews of EnergySage

Back to the top
Did you find this page helpful?
Discover whole-home electrification
Home solar
rooftop solar icon

Create your own clean energy with solar panels.

Community solar
community solar icon

Enjoy the benefits of solar without rooftop panels.

Heating & cooling
Heat pump icon

Explore heat pumps, the latest in clean heating & cooling technology.