Solar by State / North Dakota
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in North Dakota in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to North Dakota: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
North Dakota Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 11.9¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1300 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | None |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | No |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in North Dakota
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with North Dakota pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
North Dakota FAQ
Does North Dakota have a solar tax credit in 2026?
North Dakota does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in North Dakota after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.80/W installed cost and 11.9¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in North Dakota has an estimated payback of about 17.2 years (rank #36 of 51 states). That is a long payback — solar is hard to justify unless strong state incentives apply to your situation.
Compare North Dakota with Another State
See how North Dakota stacks up against Missouri — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
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What changed when the federal 25D credit expired.
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Read →Net Metering vs Net Billing
Why your export credit matters as much as your rate.
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