Courtesy of TruNorth Solar
When people think about solar energy, Minnesota as a strong contender may come as a surprise. However, the state of Minnesota webpage for residential solar energy notes that North Star state resources—such as technology, equipment, and financial support—rival that of sunny locales such as Florida and Texas.
With solar generation in the state increasing nearly 100 times since 2015, according to the State of Renewable Energy 2025, it’s time to shine some light on how builders can support homeowners through the solar panel selection process.
With the cost of traditional energy continuing to rise, Kelly Kramer, marketing manager with Roseville-based TruNorth Solar, is fielding more requests around solar energy and battery storage systems as a method to save on electricity.
The appeal is direct, she explains. “Going solar helps consumers take more control of their energy independence from their utility, and gives the peace-of-mind of predictable and lower energy bills into the future. Batteries store energy from solar panels for backup use when needed most.”
Short winter days can still create impactful results, as Kramer notes that “cold, sunny winter days are some of the best for solar energy production.” Coupled with the dark surface of solar panels, heat retention quickly melts snow so the panels can remain active capturing sun.
[Related: 4 Sustainable Homes Built for the Future]
In most residential applications, photovoltaic (PV) modules are flush-mounted, meaning that they match the pitch of the roof, which TruNorth Solar’s design manager Ben Ferkinhoff says is the most effective attachment method for most residential installations.
“It rarely requires any structural modification to the building, and it is better looking than an array tilted above a roof surface,” he says.
For existing homes with asphalt shingles, consider when they might need to be replaced, as the solar panels would need to be removed and reattached.
Builders should be prepared to educate curious customers as to why professional installers are necessary, and that permitting and connecting systems is best left to a professional. Builders should also support homeowners in understanding the equipment and workmanship warranties and walk through when service or warranty work is needed.
Financially, solar panels may be more approachable than homeowners realize. Builders and installers can help homeowners understand their energy usage, the viability on their roof for solar, any offset potential, and available incentives.
Potential savings include:
Crunching the numbers and guiding homeowners to understand what’s available can help understand upfront cost of a project, payback and ROI, and long-term savings, Kramer advises. The financial benefits may well pay dividends later when trying to sell: Often, homes with solar panels sell faster and at or above asking price more often than those that don’t.
Read this next: How Minnesota Leads in Sustainable Housing

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