Solar Energy in Minnesota (2026)
14 rules on the books across Minnesota, 10 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
Minnesota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsMinnesota protects solar access: Minn. Stat. 462.357 subd. 1 lets cities regulate access to direct sunlight, 500.216…
Read full rule →Carver County
Some RestrictionsCarver County splits solar permitting by size: a small solar energy system (SES) on a parcel with an existing…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Some RestrictionsMaple Grove allows rooftop and rear-yard solar panels as a permitted accessory use, but panels placed in a front or…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsSolar panels go through administrative review, not a full hearing: the zoning administrator approves or denies…
Read full rule →Olmsted County
Some RestrictionsInstalling solar panels on a home or business in unincorporated Olmsted County requires a Zoning Certificate from the…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsInstalling a solar system in Saint Paul requires a building permit priced at one percent of project valuation with an…
Read full rule →Scott County
Some RestrictionsScott County and its cities require building and electrical permits for solar installations. Minnesota law protects…
Read full rule →St Louis County
Some RestrictionsA ground-mount solar array larger than 160 square feet in unincorporated St. Louis County needs a land use permit and…
Read full rule →Stearns County
Some RestrictionsHome and farm solar panels are a permitted accessory use countywide under Ordinance 439 Section 6.54.2: roof-mounted…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsWoodbury requires a building permit, and an interim conditional use permit for any deviation, before installing a solar…
Read full rule →Wright County
Some RestrictionsWright County and its cities require building and electrical permits for solar installations. Minnesota law protects…
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Minnesota: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsMinn. Stat. 500.216 bars homeowners associations and other private entities from prohibiting a roof-mounted solar…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Few RestrictionsMinnesota Statute 500.215 voids HOA covenants that unreasonably restrict solar energy systems. Minneapolis condo and…
Read full rule →Expedited Solar Permitting
California SB-379 (and equivalent laws) requiring cities to offer same-day or near-same-day automated solar permits, plus SolarAPP+ adoption.