Windsource® -
Frequently Asked Questions

The energy that supplies Windsource is 100% wind energy generated from Minnesota wind farms. The electricity is added to the Xcel Energy system for use across our service area in Minnesota.

At any given time, Xcel Energy may be purchasing more or less renewable energy than is being sold through Windsource. We balance the sales and generation of the program on an annual basis using the environmental and consumer protection standards established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions in its Green-e Energy™ Program. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org. Green-e certifies that Xcel Energy generated as much renewable energy as you purchased, above and beyond our other regulatory mandates.

The renewable energy facilities that supply Windsource are connected to the electric system or grid. Windsource and all other Xcel Energy electric customers draw electricity from the grid to meet their electricity needs, 24 hours a day.

Electricity generated by renewable facilities, such as wind turbines, as well as conventional sources travel together to supply homes and businesses. A simple analogy is to think of the electric grid or system as a giant lake that all customers draw from as they use electricity. Many different generation sources add to filling the “lake”; electricity from wind turbines, coal plants, hydroelectric plants, and natural gas fueled plants. As demand for Windsource rises, over time more wind turbines will be added to help supply the “lake” with more clean, wind-generated electricity.

Windsource won’t affect the reliability of your electric service. While wind energy generation is dependent upon the availability of the wind, your electric service will continue to draw from the electric grid, which includes a variety of energy sources.

Yes. The Xcel Energy electricity mix in Minnesota uses a variety of resources. For comparison, the current average mix of resources supplying Northern States Power customers includes: coal (29%), nuclear (30%), natural gas (16%), wind (15%), hydro (7%), biomass (3%), and solar (<1%). The energy that supplies Windsource will be purchased solely from wind farms in Minnesota and will go above and beyond government mandates.

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are the currency used to measure the renewable energy produced and used to meet renewable energy goals. With Windsource, the RECs are retired on your behalf, which allows you to say that they are offsetting or using renewable energy.

Residential customers may contact Xcel Energy at 800-895-4999 or visit xcelenergy.com/Windsource to enroll.

You choose how much you want. Start with one block, which is the equivalent of 100 kWh of electricity, or about enough electricity to power the lights in a typical home for a month*. You can also choose to get 100% of your energy from Windsource.

*Lighting Calculation: Based on home with 42 light sockets, using a mix of CFLs, LEDs and incandescent bulbs.

The average home uses around 700 kWh per month. With Windsource, that would equate to around $7.00 per month.

Residential customers join Windsource to support the increase in renewable energy generation and to be a part of a growing community of environmentally-conscious consumers.

The increase in wind energy generation has a number of tangible environmental benefits.  Wind energy takes advantage of an abundant natural resource with no greenhouse gas emissions and little waste. Wind is a domestic energy source that helps preserve our natural resources for the future.

Wind energy has real economic benefits. Installing and maintaining wind turbines creates jobs. Ongoing lease payments are made to land owners who can still use the land for other purposes uses, such as farming. And wind turbines create additional tax income for counties.

In Minnesota, Windsource subscriptions are available in 100 kilowatt-hour (kWh) blocks for a small additional premium of $3.53 per block, less a credit for fuel costs. In 2017, the average fuel cost credit for a residential customer was $2.53, making the net charge for Windsource $1.00 per block ($0.01 per kWh).

Customers receive a fuel cost credit, so that as the price of fossil fuel generation increases, so does the Windsource Minnesota credit which reduces the net premium for Windsource.

Windsource is billed on a monthly basis. The extra renewable energy charges appear as a separate line item labeled “Windsource." Other taxes, fees and adjustments still apply. 

Absolutely! As long as you are an electric customer of Xcel Energy in Minnesota, you can participate in Windsource.

Windsource is available to all Minnesota retail metered electric customers. The minimum monthly subscription is one, 100 kWh block. Customers agree to enroll in the program for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. After the minimum period, your subscription will continue month-to-month, unless canceled with 30 day notice. For non-residential customers, some event-specific arrangements can be made at the sole discretion of Xcel Energy. If your metered energy use is less than the subscribed renewable energy blocks, the added charge on the last 100 kWh block will be prorated accordingly. All rates are subject to periodic re-pricing as approved by the Minnesota Public Service Commission. Xcel Energy reserves the right to deny or terminate subscription under this tariff to customers with accounts in arrears. Xcel Energy reserves the right to limit subscriptions due to limitations on the availability of renewable power.

You can increase your Windsource subscription at any time. To do so, please either
send an email to Windsource@xcelenergy.com or contact us at 800-895-4999.

Customers who move inside the Xcel Energy service territory will have their Windsource subscription follow them to their new home.

Customers may contact Xcel Energy either at 800-895-4999 or by email at Windsource@xcelenergy.com to cancel their commitment (30 day notice required).

There is no fee for early termination. Early termination is not allowed, unless you move from your premise and finalize your electric service.