Community Solar Gardens

Community solar gardens allow you to take advantage of solar energy without having to install your own system. Whether you live in an apartment, have a shaded roof, or your organization doesn't have space for a system, you can subscribe to a community solar garden and receive credits on your utility bill.

It's important to understand the possible costs, commitment, and benefits of your subscription before you sign up. 

If there are multiple community solar gardens available in the electric service territory where you live, find out which one offers the best plan for you:

• What is the term of the contract, and are there any exit or late fees?
• How many kilowatts do you need to subscribe to to cover your monthly usage?
• Will the savings be the same each month or will they vary? How will this impact your overall electric bill?
• How will the fees change over time?
• Is the solar garden in development or in service? When will I start receiving invoices and credits?

MN Department of Commerce offers a useful list of questions to consider asking solar companies before you subscribe to a garden. Solar United Neighbors also shares a list of questions to ask when considering community solar. 

You can subscribe to community solar gardens that operate in your electric service territory.

Xcel Energy electricity customers: Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program

• LMI-Accessible Community Solar Gardens: Explore organizations approved by the MN Department of Commerce, built in 2024 or later**.  Private solar developers own the projects and sell the subscriptions, with subscribers receiving solar credits on their Xcel Energy bill. The gardens are subject to a state law passed in 2023.
  
  LMI (Low- and Moderate-Income) includes households making 150% or below the area median income (ex: at or below $198,600 for a 4-person household in Hennepin County in 2025). If you qualify, you are guaranteed savings on your electric bill! While LMI applicants receive priority, anyone is welcome to subscribe to these gardens.
   
• Visit Xcel's Solar*Rewards Community to search for community solar gardens administered by Xcel Energy. Private solar developers — not the utility — own the projects and sell the subscriptions. The gardens are regulated by the state and subject to a state law passed in 2013.
  
  Note: Solar*Rewards is a different program from Xcel's Renewable*Connect. Renewable*Connect allows you to subscribe to using renewable energy for your electricity. 
  
  **Some projects built in 2024 or later will still be part of the Xcel Energy-administered program. In-development community solar projects that received initial approval from Xcel prior to 2024 may choose to either continue as part of Xcel’s Solar*Rewards Community program or to move to the Department of Commerce’s LMI- Accessible CSG Program. But all projects that became operational prior to 2024 must remain part of the Xcel program, while all projects that begin development in 2024 or later must be part of the Department of Commerce program.

Customers served by other Minnesota utilities

Community solar gardens are owned and operated by the local electric utility, which offers subscriptions to their customers. Each utility sets its own rules for its gardens, including bill credit rates and subscription costs. Find your electric utility's contact info from this map.