Solar powered homes open to the public

Solar panels
Solar panels. Minnesota requires utilities to buy electricity back from homes that produce it.
MPR Photo/Tim Post

Fifty Minnesota homes and businesses with solar energy installations are opening their doors for tours this weekend.

The 13th annual Solar Tour features various technologies in buildings around the state. Organizers expect more interest this year because of high energy prices.

Doug Shoemaker is with the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, which organizes the tour.

"The least expensive thing might be to put a solar tube in your home, that just lets daylight in. And then maybe the next thing is the solar hot air, then solar hot water, then solar electric is usually the most expensive and takes the longest to get your payback out of it," Shoemaker said.

Minnesota requires utilities to buy electricity back from homes that produce it.

Shoemaker said businesses can get up to 40 percent of the cost of a solar installation covered by tax breaks and other incentives.

The projects are on display Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They're listed on the society's, web site.

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