Twin Cities Energy Guide: Solar, Batteries, Backup Power, EV

In short: Most of Minneapolis and St. Paul is on Xcel Energy, whose Minnesota customers paid about 17¢ per kWh in 2024 and lost about 309 minutes of power each, 110 without major storms (EIA). Dakota Electric members paid 14¢ and lost only 25 minutes. Hennepin County rates “very high” for cold waves, hail, tornadoes and winter weather.

This page covers what is specific to the Twin Cities: which utility serves you, its programs, local permits and charging. For statewide rules, including net metering under 40 kW and Minnesota’s solar tax exemptions, see our Minnesota energy guide.

Twin Cities at a glance

• Xcel Energy (Northern States Power–Minnesota; Minneapolis, St. Paul and most suburbs): about 17.0¢ per kWh on average for homes in 2024. Outages: 309 minutes per customer with major events, 110 without; 1.47 interruptions a year (EIA-861, 2024).
• Dakota Electric Association (parts of Dakota and Scott counties): about 14.0¢ per kWh. Outages: 25 minutes with major events, 17 without; 0.35 interruptions (EIA-861, 2024).
• Other co-ops: Connexus Energy (north metro) about 13.7¢ and 181 minutes with major events, 30 without; Wright-Hennepin (west metro, including parts of Maple Grove) about 14.6¢ and 45 minutes. Shakopee, Chaska and Anoka run city utilities (EIA-861, 2024).
• Sun: about 3.9 kWh per square meter per day, from 1.3 in December to 6.0 in June (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,130 kWh a year per kW of panels.
• Top hazards: Hennepin County is “very high” for cold waves, hail, strong wind, tornadoes and winter weather. Ramsey County is “very high” for cold waves, and Dakota, Washington and Anoka counties for strong wind (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025).
• Public charging: 351 ports in Minneapolis, 230 in St. Paul, 126 in Plymouth, 122 in Bloomington, 64 in Eden Prairie, 54 in Maple Grove and 39 in Lakeville (AFDC, October 3, 2026).

Your utility and what it means

Suburbs are a patchwork: towns a few miles apart can have different utilities, prices and rebates. Check the name on your bill first.

• Xcel Energy, solar: systems under 40 kW are net metered (see the state page). On top of that, Xcel’s Solar*Rewards program pays $0.03 per kWh your panels produce, once a year for 10 years, in exchange for the renewable energy credits. Income-qualified homes can also get $3.00 per watt up front, from a budget with a waitlist. The 2026 round opened January 7. Expected output can’t exceed 120% of your last 12 months’ use, and Xcel asks you not to start building until the application is fully approved.
• Xcel Energy, batteries: a battery added to an approved solar system can earn $175 per kWh of capacity, or $370 per kWh for income-qualified customers, up to $5,000. It is paid within 30 business days of operation. Xcel reported $1.47 million of $3.48 million left on August 11, 2026. The money comes from the Legislature through a Department of Commerce grant.
• Xcel Energy, EVs: up to $500 toward a Level 2 charger installation when you join one of its charging programs, and up to $1,200 if income-qualified. Xcel also has a panel upgrade rebate, EV Accelerate At Home (a rented charger, installed and maintained, with a discounted off-peak rate), a $50 yearly credit for off-peak charging and a separately metered EV rate.
• Dakota Electric: net metering under 40 kW, plus a one-time $500 payment per home when a solar array is installed and commissioned (approval needed first). It also offers up to $500 toward an EV charger installation on one of its two metered charging programs, and a “virtual metered” EV rate that needs no extra meter (2026 member newsletter).
• Connexus, Wright-Hennepin and city utilities: ask your utility for its current solar, battery and EV programs. We could not confirm them on their sites. Outside Xcel territory, the state’s own battery incentive applies (below).

Backup power in the Twin Cities

For Xcel customers, storms make the difference. In 2024, a normal year meant under two hours without power. Once major events were counted it was about 5.1 hours, and the average interruption lasted about 3.5 hours (our arithmetic on EIA figures). Dakota Electric’s record was far shorter, about 25 minutes. With Hennepin County rated “very high” for both summer storms (tornadoes, hail, wind) and winter cold, outages can come at either end of the year.

In winter, the first job of backup power is keeping the furnace blower, controls and sump pump running. A home battery or a natural gas standby generator on those circuits covers that. For an apartment, a portable power station covers phones, lights and the router. Compare the options in backup power options, and size them with the battery backup calculator or the generator sizing tool.

Safety first: the CPSC says to run generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house and never in a garage. In winter, clear snow from around the exhaust and fit battery-backed CO alarms. A licensed electrician installs the transfer switch or interlock (generator installation).

Solar in the Twin Cities

Panels here make about 1,130 kWh a year per kW by our rough estimate, most of it from April to September. At Xcel’s 2024 average of about 17¢, that output is worth about $192 a year per kW. Solar*Rewards adds roughly $34 a year per kW for 10 years. On Dakota Electric’s lower 14¢, the same kW is worth about $158 a year, plus the one-time $500. These are estimates. Check your roof with the solar potential tool and the solar savings calculator.

Solar is common here. Xcel reported 13,411 home solar systems in Minnesota in 2024, and Dakota Electric 1,548 (EIA). Hail is a local risk: Hennepin County rates “very high,” so ask installers about panel hail ratings and how your home insurance treats rooftop arrays. Read solar installation and how net metering works.

Batteries in the Twin Cities

Net metering already credits exports at the retail rate, so a battery here earns its keep as backup, not bill savings. The Twin Cities now have real help with the cost, though. On Xcel, a 13.5 kWh battery added to solar would qualify for about $2,360 at $175 per kWh, or the full $5,000 for income-qualified homes. Outside Xcel territory, on Dakota Electric, Connexus or a city utility, the Minnesota Department of Commerce pays $250 per kWh up to $7,000 for batteries up to 50 kWh paired with solar. It had about $1.42 million left on August 17, 2026, first come, first served. Check the program page before you sign, because amounts and budgets change. See home battery installation and home battery cost.

EV charging in the Twin Cities

At about 30 kWh per 100 miles, home charging costs roughly $5.10 per 100 miles at Xcel’s 2024 average and $4.20 on Dakota Electric (our estimates). Minneapolis has 351 public ports and St. Paul 230 (AFDC, October 3, 2026). A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt circuit and an electrical permit. Older city homes may need a panel upgrade first. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.

Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Minneapolis: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Permits and inspections

• Minneapolis: the city’s solar panels page has a permit applicant checklist. You need a city building permit, plus an electrical permit, which the checklist says is issued by the state Department of Labor and Industry. Some roofs need a structural statement from a Minnesota-licensed engineer.
• St. Paul: the Department of Safety and Inspections issues solar PV electrical permits itself, through its PAULIE portal: $138 for systems up to 20 kW and $332 for 21 to 40 kW. The contractor must be present at solar inspections.
• Suburbs: Bloomington, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Woodbury and Lakeville each issue their own building permits. Depending on the city, electrical permits come from the city or from the state.
• Utility and HOA: your utility must approve solar and battery interconnection. Many suburban townhome associations have rules on roof and yard equipment, so get approval in writing.

Cities we cover

• Minneapolis
• St. Paul
• Bloomington
• Plymouth
• Maple Grove
• Eden Prairie
• Woodbury
• Lakeville

Get help

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Twin Cities energy FAQ

Is Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards still available in 2026?

Yes. The 2026 round opened January 7, 2026. Homes earn $0.03 per kWh produced, paid yearly for 10 years, and income-qualified homes can add $3.00 per watt up front, from a budget with a waitlist. Applications from 2025’s waitlist did not carry over. Check Xcel’s page for the remaining budget before you sign.

Why are outages shorter on Dakota Electric than on Xcel?

In 2024, Dakota Electric members averaged about 25 minutes without power, and Xcel’s Minnesota customers about 309 minutes including major storms (EIA). Xcel’s figure covers a far larger territory, and most of it came on major storm days. On ordinary days the gap is smaller: 17 against 110 minutes.

Is there a battery rebate in Minneapolis or St. Paul?

Yes, if you have solar. Xcel pays $175 per kWh, or $370 if income-qualified, up to $5,000, for a battery added to an approved solar system. Outside Xcel territory, the state pays $250 per kWh up to $7,000. Both budgets were partly used by August 2026.

Who issues the electrical permit for solar in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

In St. Paul, the city’s Department of Safety and Inspections does, with fees from $138. In Minneapolis, the city issues the building permit and the state Department of Labor and Industry issues the electrical permit, according to the city’s solar checklist.

Sources

Utilities, prices, outages and solar counts: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024. Xcel Energy Minnesota solar, battery and EV program pages; Dakota Electric pages and March 2026 newsletter; Minnesota Department of Commerce storage incentive; City of Minneapolis and St. Paul permit pages. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center. Generator safety: CPSC. All checked October 3, 2026.