City of Elk River and solar
City of Elk River is a municipal utility serving about 11,935 homes in Minnesota. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is a close call.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 16.7¢3% above Minnesota average
- Typical bill
- $127761 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 16.3 yrs6.2 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Elk River 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 City of Elk River home
| System | 6.2 kW (91% of 761 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $23,650 |
| First-year savings | $1,378 |
| Payback | 16.3 years |
| 25-year net | $16,318 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 112
- Share of customers
- 0.9%
- Residential solar capacity
- 1 MW
- Residential customers
- 11,935
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of Elk River and solar
Does City of Elk River have net metering?
City of Elk River 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 City of Elk River?
Residential customers paid an average of 16.3¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 16.7¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 761 kWh a month, a bill of about $127.
Is solar worth it with City of Elk River?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 6.2 kW system costing about $23,650 pays back in about 16.3 years, with $16,318 net over 25 years.
How many City of Elk River customers have solar?
About 112 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.9% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: City of Elk River (EIA ID 5773). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.