Brainerd Public Utilities and solar
Brainerd Public Utilities is a municipal utility serving about 7,014 homes in Minnesota. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 12.4¢24% below Minnesota average
- Typical bill
- $82662 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 24.3 yrs3 kW, cash
Export rules for Brainerd Public Utilities customers
Full retail net metering (Minnesota rule).
Minnesota requires utilities to net meter systems under 40 kW; monthly excess is paid or credited at the 'average retail utility energy rate', which is close to retail (excludes fixed charges). This applies to IOUs, co-ops and munis, although co-ops/munis may add a monthly DG fee.
Solar for a typical Brainerd Public Utilities home
| System | 3 kW (50% of 662 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $13,250 |
| First-year savings | $496 |
| Payback | 24.3 years |
| 25-year net | $480 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 7,014
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Brainerd Public Utilities and solar
Does Brainerd Public Utilities have net metering?
Brainerd Public Utilities follows Minnesota's rules: Minnesota requires utilities to net meter systems under 40 kW; monthly excess is paid or credited at the 'average retail utility energy rate', which is close to retail (excludes fixed charges). This applies to IOUs, co-ops and munis, although co-ops/munis may add a monthly DG fee.
How much does electricity cost with Brainerd Public Utilities?
Residential customers paid an average of 12.1¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 12.4¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 662 kWh a month, a bill of about $82.
Is solar worth it with Brainerd Public Utilities?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 3 kW system costing about $13,250 pays back in about 24.3 years, with $480 net over 25 years.
How many Brainerd Public Utilities customers have solar?
Brainerd Public Utilities did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: Brainerd Public Utilities (EIA ID 2138). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.