East Central Energy and solar
East Central Energy is an electric cooperative serving about 61,040 homes in Minnesota, Wisconsin. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is a close call.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 18.0¢11% above Minnesota average
- Typical bill
- $154852 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 15 yrs6.9 kW, cash
Export rules for East Central Energy 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 East Central Energy home
| System | 6.9 kW (90% of 852 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $25,925 |
| First-year savings | $1,658 |
| Payback | 15.0 years |
| 25-year net | $22,635 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 727
- Share of customers
- 1.2%
- Residential solar capacity
- 9 MW
- Residential customers
- 61,040
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about East Central Energy and solar
Does East Central Energy have net metering?
East Central Energy 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 East Central Energy?
Residential customers paid an average of 17.6¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 18.0¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 852 kWh a month, a bill of about $154.
Is solar worth it with East Central Energy?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 6.9 kW system costing about $25,925 pays back in about 15 years, with $22,635 net over 25 years.
How many East Central Energy customers have solar?
About 727 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 1.2% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: East Central Energy (EIA ID 5574). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.