See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in North Dakota
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Solar power in North Dakota
Last fact-checked on January 19, 2023, by Catherine Lane
There is quite a bit of room for improvement when it comes to solar power in North Dakota. There are almost no state-based or utility-based incentives for installing solar. Also, the state’s investor-owned utilities don’t offer rebates for solar customers.
The bright side is that North Dakota has a statewide net metering policy, so residents who install solar on their homes will receive compensation for the excess energy their solar system produces. Additionally, North Dakotans can take advantage of the 26% federal tax credit.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in North Dakota
North Dakota solar power facts
$2.56 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?8 Years 6 Months
Average payback time
$38,560
Average lifetime savings
?4¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
19¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?12,000 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 8.86kW system
This 8.86kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in North Dakota is $108, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
How much can solar panels save you in North Dakota
Average total cost of solar panel installation in North Dakota
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $5,838 | $6,305 |
| 4kw | $7,476 | $8,074 |
| 5kw | $8,960 | $9,677 |
| 6kw | $10,248 | $11,068 |
| 7kw | $11,417 | $12,330 |
| 8kw | $12,432 | $13,427 |
| 9kw | $13,293 | $14,356 |
| 10kw | $14,000 | $15,120 |
How much do solar panels cost in North Dakota?
$2.56 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.30 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in North Dakota?
The advantage of installing solar panels in North Dakota is the state’s net metering policy, which provides compensation for excess generation a solar system produces. Also, North Dakota has a property tax exemption, so homeowners can save money on their property taxes.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in North Dakota is that there are no utility-based incentives or rebates. While North Dakota does have a renewable portfolio standard, it is voluntary - meaning, utilities are not pressured to offer rebates in order to encourage their customers to make the switch to solar.
However, the combination of net metering and the 26% federal tax credit still creates the opportunity for great savings. The best time to make the switch to solar in North Dakota is now!
Best solar companies in North Dakota
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Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in North Dakota
How much electricity will solar panels produce in North Dakota
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Bismarck area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,405kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits, and other solar incentives are available in North Dakota?
Renewable Energy System Exemption
North Dakota homeowners have the opportunity to save on their property taxes when they install a solar system on their home, thanks to the Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption legislation. This policy exempts 100% of the assessed value of the solar system from property taxes for 5 years.
Net metering in North Dakota
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in North Dakota mandates that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) generated by solar (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) a utility will provide credits equal to the avoided cost rate of electricity.
Renewable, Recycled and Conserved Energy Objective
North Dakota’s renewable portfolio standard was enacted in 2007. The legislation established a voluntary goal that 10% of all retail electricity sales in the state should be obtained from renewable energy sources. This standard is out of date and not very ambitious. Not to mention, the standard is voluntary, so utilities are not required to meet it. Because of the weak renewable portfolio standard, utilities are not pressured to create rebates to incentivize their customers to go solar.
North Dakota Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in North Dakota, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in North Dakota using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in North Dakota
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in North Dakota or Bismarck ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this North Dakota solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in North Dakota
Check out all of the ways energy providers of North Dakota can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Renewable Energy System Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
