Northeast Minnesota Solar Co-op

White home with rooftop solar with snow and trees around it.

Open

to new members in the Duluth and Arrowhead Area – Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, and Itasca Counties

June 30, 2025

last day to join the co-op

About

This solar co-op is not a legally incorporated entity. It is an informally organized group of engaged and educated consumers that SUN brings together for a limited time to leverage their buying power to get the best price and service from a local solar installer. Members of the group are encouraged to stay engaged with SUN after the solar co-op is disbanded but this is not required.

Imagine walking into a solar company’s office with 50 or 100 of your neighbors and saying, “We all want to get solar. What kind of deal can you give us?”

That’s a solar co-op!

In fact, it’s even better than that. In addition to competitive pricing on solar panels, you get:

  • Info to help you understand solar. Our vendor-neutral solar experts are here to help you understand how solar works and make the best decision for your energy needs.
  • A direct line to ask specific questions. You can call or email us anytime you need help. We’ll be here now and long after you install solar.
  • A team that solicits and reviews proposals from solar companies. First, Solar United Neighbors requests bids on your behalf. Then, a committee of your fellow co-op members meet to assess the pros and cons and select the best installer for the group. (Note: If that sounds interesting to you, you’re also welcome to join the selection committee!)
  • Community. You’ll join the growing solar movement. You’ll have a built-in network of support and inspiration from others who, like you, are taking a stand for energy freedom and advancing the clean energy economy.
  • A bigger impact! Going solar creates jobs, and puts energy production and its benefits back in the hands of the people and contributes to cleaner air and water for everyone. A solar co-op amplifies those outcomes exponentially.

Watch the video below to learn more about our solar co-op process and its benefits, or view our FAQs.

How does a co-op work?

Cost & Savings

How much does solar cost? How much can you save?

Minnesota Power

Minnesota Power Sample Cash Purchase50% offset100% offset
Average MN solar pricing ($3.20/Watt)$12,160$24,320
30% Federal tax credit-$3,648-$7.296
Net Cost$8,512$17,024
Estimated year 1 electric savings$547$1,076
Estimated year 10 savings (cumulative)$5,847$11,515
Estimated lifetime savings (25 years)$16,419$32,321
Net Profit*$7,907$15,297
*E*Example Pricing only; Actual system size will vary. Modeling assumptions: Minnesota Power customer consuming 8,820 kWh; 20,22 rate plan before solar and 20,22-DG rate plan after solar; 2%/yr electricity price increase; -0.5%/yr panel degradation; 1,162 yearly kWh production per 1kW of solar; 180 degrees of azimuth; 20 degrees of tilt.
Minnesota Power Sample Loan Purchase50% offset50% offset100% offset100% offset
Interest rate of 7%, 30% down
(then take the tax credit)
10
year
15
year
10
year
15
year
Monthly loan payment$99$77$198$153
Monthly electric savings-$45-$45-$90-$90
Net monthly payment$54$32$108$64
Net profit (25 years)**$4,559$2,648$8,601$4,778
**Example Pricing only. Actual cost depends on system size, interest rate, credit score, & other factors. Prices do not include incentives besides 30% federal tax credit.  Chart reflects year one average savings. Savings will grow each year as avoided utility electricity costs increase.

Arrowhead Electric Co-op

Arrowhead Electric Sample Cash Purchase50% offset100% offset
Average MN solar pricing ($3.20/Watt)$14,544$29,088
30% Federal tax credit-$4,363-$8,726
Net cost$10,181$20,362
Estimated year 1 electric savings$1,009$1,757
Estimated year 10 savings (cumulative)$10,864$18,944
Estimated lifetime savings (25 years)$30,861$53,921
Net Profit*$20,680$33,559
*Example Pricing only; Actual system size will vary. Modeling assumptions: Arrowhead Electric Co-op customer consuming 10,848 kWh; R rate plan before solar and R-DG rate plan after solar; 2%/yr electricity price increase; -0.5%/yr panel degradation; 1,193 yearly kWh production per 1kW of solar; 180 degrees of azimuth; 20 degrees of tilt.
Arrowhead Electric Sample Loan Purchase50% offset50% offset100% offset100% offset
Interest rate of 7%, 30% down
(then take the tax credit)
10
year
15
year
10
year
15
year
Monthly loan payment$118$92$236$183
Monthly electric savings-$84-$84-$146-$146
Net monthly payment$34$8$90$37
Net profit (25 years)**$16,676$14,389$25,551$20,978
**Example Pricing only. Actual cost depends on system size, interest rate, credit score, & other factors. Prices do not include incentives besides 30% federal tax credit.  Chart reflects year one average savings. Savings will grow each year as avoided utility electricity costs increase.

Partners

Partners

Events

Events

Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Duluth (Opens in a new tab)

Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Duluth

Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business. We’ll take you through the technology, economics, financing and more. You’ll also learn about the Solar Co-op…
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm CDT In-person, Solar 101 Minnesota
John Anderson presenting a Solar 101 presentation to a group of seated people indoors.
Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Grand Marais (Opens in a new tab)

Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Grand Marais

Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business. We’ll take you through the technology, economics, financing and more. You’ll also learn about the Solar Co-op…
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm CDT In-person, Solar 101 Minnesota
Rooftop solar on a tan home with a bright blue sky above it.
Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Online Webinar (Opens in a new tab)

Northeast Minnesota Solar 101 – Online Webinar

Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business. We’ll take you through the technology, economics, financing and more. You’ll also learn about the Solar Co-op…
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm EDT Solar 101, Virtual Minnesota
Information graphic next to clip art solar panels and clip art person.
Updates

Updates

Please check back here for announcements and updates from Northeast Minnesota 2025 Solar Co-op.

Installers

Installers

The solar installers for Northeast Minnesota 2025 Solar Co-op will be posted soon.

The Request for Proposals for local installers to bid will be issued on April 28, 2025.

Contact us

Contact us

Headshot of John Anderson

John Anderson

Minnesota Program Associate
Solar United Neighbors

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