MiEnergy Cooperative and solar
MiEnergy Cooperative is an electric cooperative serving about 21,343 homes in Minnesota, Iowa. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is a close call.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 17.4¢7% above Minnesota average
- Typical bill
- $173995 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 15.2 yrs8.1 kW, cash
Export rules for MiEnergy Cooperative 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 MiEnergy Cooperative home
| System | 8.1 kW (90% of 995 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $29,825 |
| First-year savings | $1,879 |
| Payback | 15.2 years |
| 25-year net | $24,981 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 854
- Share of customers
- 4.0%
- Residential solar capacity
- 14 MW
- Residential customers
- 21,343
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about MiEnergy Cooperative and solar
Does MiEnergy Cooperative have net metering?
MiEnergy Cooperative 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 MiEnergy Cooperative?
Residential customers paid an average of 17.0¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 17.4¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 995 kWh a month, a bill of about $173.
Is solar worth it with MiEnergy Cooperative?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 8.1 kW system costing about $29,825 pays back in about 15.2 years, with $24,981 net over 25 years.
How many MiEnergy Cooperative customers have solar?
About 854 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 4.0% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: MiEnergy Cooperative (EIA ID 19157). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.