Go Solar!

Get closer to your green goals.

INTRODUCING

Solar Loans

Solar panels can be useful anywhere the sun shines. Many Minnesotans can produce sustainable electricity at home with a rooftop solar power system.

And solar loans are here to make it easier.

This website can help you see if solar might be for you, and how a solar loan can help you pay for it.

Find a Solar Loan

Homeowners stand in front of their solar powered home. © David Dodge, made available under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.

LEADING THE WAY

CU Green^® Solar Loans brought to you in collaboration with

Why Solar

Solar panels on a roof—illustration © CU Green 2018

Eco-Friendly

Solar panels produce no emissions.

Calendar pages—illustration © CU Green 2018

Long Life

Solar panels are warrantied for 25 years, and solar power systems make clean power for much longer.

Radiant sun—illustration © CU Green 2018

Energy Independence

Solar panels rely only on the sun’s energy to generate power.

Increased home equity—illustration © CU Green 2018

More Home Equity

Solar panel installation may increase a home’s resale value.

Holding a stack of dollar bills—illustration © CU Green 2018

Pays You Back

Your system can pay for itself in as few as 7 years.

Iced tea on a table outside—illustration © CU Green 2018

Low Maintenance

Once installed, solar panels need little attention to keep making power.

Your Home

Whether installing panels on your roof or on a patch of open land, experts recommend that you consider the following questions. These aren’t requirements, but solar panels will perform best if you can answer YES.

Does your roof face south?
In Minnesota, solar panels installed on south-facing roofs make the best use of the sun’s natural energy.
Is your roof in good shape?
Solar power systems are a long-term investment—lasting much longer than most roof shingles. Experts recommend solar panels on roofs in very good condition.
Is there enough space?
A typical home solar system will require 500 square feet or more of clear roof space or open land.
Is the area unshaded?
Shade reduces the efficiency of solar panels. Solar panels can last more than 25 years, so be sure to look for any future possible obstructions too, especially trees that will grow.

Two men talk about Community Solar Gardens in the snow. © NAIT 2016, made available under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.

When Home Won’t Work

If your home is not well-suited for on-site solar, Xcel Energy and at least six other utilities across Minnesota allow homeowners to access solar power by subscribing to a Community Solar Garden. Learn more at the Clean Energy Resource Team’s Community Solar Garden Guide.

Woman in hard hat shows efficient window treatments. © David Dodge, made available under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.

Energy Efficiency

Whatever kind of power you use, cutting your energy use means lower bills. Get energy-saving tips from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Typical Savings

Solar panels are a smart investment for many people. Qualifying homeowners can go solar with no down payment and 100% financing, and can see savings quickly. Often, panels can pay for themselves in 7 years or less. A trusted solar installer will walk through the specific tax credits and other potential incentives for your project.

SYSTEM

6 kW

A typical home solar installation in Minnesota is a 6 kW (kilowatt) system, producing most or all of a 1800 square-foot home’s energy needs.

LOAN AMOUNT

$21,035

A $21,035 loan will cover a typical 6kW solar system and its installation. For many Minnesotans, tax credits and other incentives can help you pay this loan off sooner.

SAVINGS

$41,155

The average 25-year projected solar savings for Minnesotans is $41,155, including all energy savings, and federal and local incentives.

Typical project sizing, cost and production comes from a Eutectics Consulting LLC survey of more than 80 Minnesota residential solar projects completed from 2016 to 2018.

Estimate your solar savings

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Trusted Installers

To better serve our members and the general public, the Minnesota Credit Union Network issued a request for qualified solar installers. After a thorough review process, our committee selected these experienced contractors; additional installers may be added later. You can contact one of these solar installers directly for a quote for your home!

All Energy Solar

Based in St. Paul and with over 3000 solar customers, All Energy Solar is dedicated to making solar easy and affordable for home and business owners throughout Minnesota.

Visit All Energy Solar

Apadana Solar Technologies

Apadana Solar Technologies is a full-service solar energy Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm for commercial, residential, agricultural, non-profit, and utility scale solar customers.

Visit Apadana Solar Technologies

Sundial Solar

A Minneapolis-based company with over 20 years of solar energy experience, Sundial Solar has completed more than 300 solar installations in Minnesota, including both residential and commercial projects.

Visit Sundial Solar

Solar Financing

Some of Minnesota’s top credit unions have established market-leading solar loans for residential installations. With a CU Green^® Home Solar Loan, you can go solar with 100% financing and no down payment. You’ll also get a below-market-rate bonus in recognition of solar’s many benefits.

Finance your solar project using the equity in your home with a Home Solar Loan, available at both Affinity Plus and Hiway Credit Union.

For a loan that doesn’t use the equity in your home, the personal secured Solar Loan is available at Affinity Plus.

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Affinity Plus Solar Loans

Blaze Credit Union

Blaze Solar Loans

Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union

MEFCU Solar Loans

If you’re not already a credit union member, don’t worry. Finding a credit union that’s right for you is easy.