State solar profile · #36 of 51
Solar in North Dakota: cost, payback & incentives
What a typical home should expect from solar in North Dakota - sunshine, electricity rates, modeled payback, and the 2 incentive programs that change the math, built from NREL, EIA, and DSIRE data.
- 4.8
- kWh/m²/day irradiance
- 10.8¢
- avg electricity rate
- 18.2 yr
- payback (#48)
- 2
- incentive programs
The verdict
North Dakota scores 24/100 for solar - #36 of 51 - with a modeled 18.2-year payback and roughly $6,200 net over 25 years on a typical 6 kW system before any incentives.
- 24/100
- solar score (#36)
- 18.2 yr
- modeled payback (#48)
- $908
- modeled annual savings
- full
- net-metering policy
All figures are modeled from public NREL/EIA/DSIRE data for a typical 6 kW system; your result depends on roof, shading, utility tariff, and installer pricing.
North Dakota at a glance
4.8
irradiance (kWh/m²/day)
10.8¢
electricity rate (per kWh)
$16,500
6 kW system cost
18.2 yr
est. payback (#48)
8,410
kWh/year (6 kW)
$908
annual savings
25-year ROI for a 6 kW system
$16,500
system cost
$908/yr
modeled savings
18.2 yr
break-even
+$6,200
25-year net
Estimates from state averages; actual results vary by system size, roof orientation, shading, utility rate, and installer pricing. Run a personalized estimate →
Where North Dakota sits nationally
Every state by sunshine (left-to-right) and payback speed (faster toward the bottom). North Dakota is highlighted, its position shows whether sun or electricity rates drive its return.
North Dakota (highlighted): 4.8 kWh/m²/day, 18.2-yr modeled payback - slower than the national average.
What the data says about solar in North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #36 of 51 with a composite solar score of 24/100 (Marginal). The score blends inputs from NREL and EIA: average irradiance of 4.8 kWh/m²/day, residential electricity at 10.8¢/kWh, a turnkey 6 kW installed cost of $16,500 ($2.75/W), and 2 tracked state and utility incentive programs.
On those inputs, a 6 kW array here is modeled to generate roughly 8,410 kWh/year and offset about $908 in annual utility spending at the state's average rate, an estimated 18.2-year simple payback (#48 of 51 for speed to break-even) and a projected +$6,200 net position over a 25-year horizon before utility-rate escalation.
Policy matters as much as physics. North Dakota's net-metering framework is classified as full, which governs how exported generation is credited, and its renewable portfolio standard is: None. The 2 active programs tracked in DSIRE include net metering and tax credit types, each can stack to compress payback. Note that the 30% federal residential solar tax credit (§25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so state and utility incentives now carry more of the economics, confirm current federal rules with the IRS and your tax advisor.
Solar & grid details
- Net-metering policy
- full
- Renewable portfolio standard
- None
- Installed cost / watt
- $2.75/W
- Annual production (6 kW)
- 8,410 kWh
Top incentive programs
2 programs available for North Dakota residents
All North Dakota solar incentives (2)
Your next step
How to act on North Dakota's numbers.
- Run the savings calculator with your real electricity bill, the figures above use state averages, not your usage. Calculate for North Dakota
- Check net-metering and SREC value before signing, in a "full" state, export compensation often decides the return. Net-metering guide
- Stack North Dakota's 2 incentive programs, each lowers net cost or raises annual return. See all programs
Modeled estimates from public data, not financial advice; a binding figure requires a site-specific assessment from a licensed installer.
Solar resource from NREL; electricity rates and installed capacity from the U.S. EIA; incentive programs from DSIRE. See our methodology.