The qualification for single family home owner eligibility is based on Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) guidelines or participation in the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). First, we will verify that you are receiving LIHEAP benefits. If no benefits are noted for your account in our billing system, we will request that you sign a release to provide your information to the Department of Commerce for review against your listing of eligibility for these programs. In addition, verification by the installer will be required stating that income-qualified benefits will be received by you.

Solar Rewards applications for multi-family buildings will be reviewed based on the number of units within the property. The requirements are outlined below.

• Two to four unit properties: 50% or more units must be occupied by tenants who are eligible for either LIHEAP or WAP. If the solar system is set up with net metering directly to individually metered customer units, the system would qualify for income-qualified residential incentives with each customer requiring a separate application. If it is set up differently, commercial or solar garden incentives may apply.
• Five+ unit properties: 66% or more units must be occupied by tenants with an annual income less than or equal to 60% of the area median income. We will use LIHEAP, WAP, Low-Income Renter Certification (LIRC) or Use Restriction to demonstrate that income-qualified households occupy the required number of units within the building to qualify. Master-metered properties and common areas will qualify for the Solar Rewards incentive associated with the class of service, which will typically be the commercial rate. These properties could also consider operating as a community solar garden with income-qualified resident subscribers.

Income-qualified incentives for the Solar Rewards program are also available for organizations, such as non-profits and government agencies, that work to provide benefit to these households through specific services. You will be required to submit your 501(c)(3) form or similar statement, mission statement, and proof of income-qualified constituency. Also, 50% or more of your constituents must meet LIHEAP or WAP criteria. Documentation is required prior to project approval or receipt of a funding letter. Annual verification reporting will be required for five years to show that solar benefits continue to be passed on to qualifying income-qualified customers. Failure to meet these requirements following a 30-day grace period will result in withholding future incentive payments.

If you're income-qualified, you will receive production-based incentive per kWh produced by your solar system each year. In addition, you receive an up-front incentive to help offset the cost of the installed system.

*Based on your PV system size

The 2021 Solar*Rewards Income-Qualified program opened on January 4, 2021. Per the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s November 14, 2018, Decision, a minimum of 10 percent incentive allocation must be reserved for the income-qualified program until September 1 of each year after which time unclaimed allocations would be released for use by the overall Solar*Rewards program, with a maximum of 20 percent available for income-qualified customers. If the program as a whole has not allocated a total 75 percent of the total annual incentive budget by September 1, the Company will remove the 20 percent income-qualified maximum and continue to fund income-qualified projects on a first-come, first served basis along with other Solar*Rewards applications with no cap deployed. All income-qualified residential projects are exempt from the 20 percent cap.

Last updated: 03/02/2021

In the event that the 2021 Solar*Rewards Income-Qualified program budget is fully allocated, we will start a waitlist program and will begin accepting applications as funding becomes available due to cancelled projects.

A Renewable Energy Credit (REC) represents the green attributes of renewable energy, with each REC certifying the generation of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy.

We buy RECs from Solar Rewards projects to achieve our Renewable Energy Standard. Learn more about the goals for Our Energy Future.

Most solar rooftop installations are tied to a contract with us, which requires a transfer of ownership. The transfer of ownership is commonly referred to as the Assignment of Contract. If you are moving, take the time to read the Assignment of Contract to learn how to transfer ownership of your solar.

Have Questions?

Email us. We'll answer your questions and help guide you through the process if you're ready to go solar.

Program Info

Metering and Billing FAQ Guide (PDF)

Xcel Energy kWh Residential Adder Table for Solar Applications (XLS)

Xcel Energy kWh Load Analysis Tool for Solar Applications (Commercial Systems) (XLS)

Solar*Rewards Program Rules and Requirements (PDF)

Solar*Rewards Terms & Conditions (PDF)

Candidate Checklist (PDF)

Forms

Solar*Rewards Extension Request Form (PDF)

**Small Generation Interconnection Application (SGIA) Form (PDF)

DG Inspection Form (PDF)

Application Help and Sample Engineering Documents

• Visit our Hot to Interconnect webpage for information on the application process, public queues, technical resources and more.

You can find more information within our Frequently Asked Questions whether you're a new customer, existing customer, or solar installer.