Solar Energy in Minnesota (2026)
24 rules on the books across Minnesota, 19 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 →Blaine
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Blaine, a ground-mounted solar array is an accessory structure: no one may erect one without a building…
Read full rule →Blue Earth County
Some RestrictionsHomeowners in unincorporated Blue Earth County installing rooftop, wall, ground or pole-mounted solar arrays must…
Read full rule →Brooklyn Park
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Brooklyn Park, ground-mounted solar systems are limited to rear yards in residential districts, capped…
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 →Coon Rapids
Some RestrictionsEvery solar energy system in Coon Rapids, whether roof- or ground-mounted, needs a building permit under § 11-1602.4…
Read full rule →Duluth
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Duluth, solar collectors installed under the Unified Development Chapter must clear specific siting and…
Read full rule →Eagan
Some RestrictionsOnce a solar array clears Eagan's by-right accessory-use test, City Code § 11.70, Subd. C, items 3 through 7 set the…
Read full rule →Eden Prairie
Some RestrictionsRooftop, wall mounted and ground mounted solar panels in the City of Eden Prairie need a building permit before…
Read full rule →Lakeville
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, solar energy systems are a permitted accessory use in every zoning district, but…
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 →Plymouth
Some RestrictionsThe City of Plymouth allows solar energy systems in every zoning district but requires a building permit application…
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.
Eagan
Light RestrictionsIn the City of Eagan, roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar energy systems are a permitted accessory use in every…
Read full rule →St Louis County
Light RestrictionsSt. Louis County skips the permit process entirely for small residential solar installations. A ground-mount system of…
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