Runestone Electric Association and solar
Runestone Electric Association is an electric cooperative serving about 14,349 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.)
- 15.1¢7% below Minnesota average
- Typical bill
- $1801,192 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 18.3 yrs5.4 kW, cash
Export rules for Runestone Electric Association 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 Runestone Electric Association home
| System | 5.4 kW (50% of 1,192 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $21,050 |
| First-year savings | $1,088 |
| Payback | 18.3 years |
| 25-year net | $10,072 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 67
- Share of customers
- 0.5%
- Residential solar capacity
- 1 MW
- Residential customers
- 14,349
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Runestone Electric Association and solar
Does Runestone Electric Association have net metering?
Runestone Electric Association 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 Runestone Electric Association?
Residential customers paid an average of 14.8¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 15.1¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,192 kWh a month, a bill of about $180.
Is solar worth it with Runestone Electric Association?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5.4 kW system costing about $21,050 pays back in about 18.3 years, with $10,072 net over 25 years.
How many Runestone Electric Association customers have solar?
About 67 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.5% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Runestone Electric Assn (EIA ID 16368). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.