You guessed wrong!  But there's some valuable information here.  For example, considering a "2-axis tracking" photovoltaic collector system (motorized so that it follows the sun during the day and from season to season) Rochester, Minnesota has better photovoltaic energy potential than Houston, Texas!   Surprising, right?  Actually, Southeast Minnesota isn't even too bad compared to Miami, FL!  The number of cloudy days per year (as well as air pollution) is a more important factor for solar power than latitude.  The solar energy potential in Minnesota varies about 10%-15% across the state, with the greatest potential in the southwest part of the state, and somewhat less in the northeast.  However, differences within Minnesota are less important than the specific location that you choose for locating your solar collector system.   Currently, there's a 30% Federal tax credit, and a Minnesota sales tax exemption for purchase of solar energy systems.   There is also a Minnesota state rebate of $1,000 - $20,000 for the purchase of a solar electric system, both Minnesota programs set to expire on December 31, 2007.  Click here for information on the Minnesota rebate.
		For good general information on solar systems for residence and business, click on this Minnesota State Dept. of Commerce website.
		To see Xcel Energy's grant program for ALL renewable energy systems, including residential, farm and business, click on this link.
		Click on this link to reach a website containing ALL Minnesota financial incentives for renewable energy! To see how our area compares nationally for solar energy potential, check out this list of solar electric data:
	AC Energy (kWh) obtainable based on a 4 kW photovoltaic 2-axis tracking system, grid-connected with a DC to AC derate factor of 0.77, based on averaged sunlight data from the period 1961 to 1990. Salt Lake City, UT Miami, FL Rochester, MN Houston, TX Columbus, OH January 393 529 444 417 334 February 476 553 537 403 346 March 610 661 604 535 449 April 673 696 636 525 582 May 829 668 680 609 626 June 863 581 741 642 678 July 907 634 769 627 639 August 875 611 690 622 647 September 741 516 556 558 528 October 634 541 446 569 506 November 440 487 336 459 294 December 309 515 339 370 234 Year Total- 7750 6992 6778 6336 5863
		Note -- A "grid-connected" PV (photovoltaic, meaning solar electric) system has modules wired together to form a PV array, which passes DC electricity through an inverter to convert it into AC power.  If the PV system AC power is greater than the owner's needs, the inverter sends the surplus to the utility grid for use by others.  The utility provides AC power to the owner at night and during times when the owner's requirements exceed the capability of the PV system. Comparative solar energy potential data from: www.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/version1/, a web resource of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory,  U.S. Department of Energy.