NORTH DAKOTA
Solar in North Dakota
North Dakota has a favorable position for solar energy, though the state currently does not produce as much solar power as many others. The state’s annual sunny day average is 201 days, which is close to the national average of 205 days.* Yet North Dakota has more hours of sunshine than other states bordering Canada.
Solar potential in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.9 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that North Dakota has a good potential for solar energy generation.
Sadly, North Dakota is in 51st place nationwide for solar energy generation, with 0.0% of the state’s electricity coming from solar power.* Being at the bottom of the pack leaves ample opportunity–and competitive incentive!—for North Dakota residents and business owners to expand their solar energy generation. Given the high amount of sun the region receives each year, the ability to generate solar energy is bountiful.
Cost of solar in North Dakota?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include the:
Quality of solar panels
Solar system installation provider
Angle of the roof
Household’s energy needs
In North Dakota, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system is $12,700, or in other words, $2.54 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
The Federal Investment Tax Credit or ITC is a common way for new solar system owners to save on equipment and installation expenses. By claiming ITC on federal income taxes, North Dakota residents can receive a 30% credit on solar systems.*
North Dakota also mandates net metering (also called net excess generation) to all customers of investor-owned electric utilities on all systems generating up to 100 kW or less.* If a customer has net excess generation (NEG) at the end of a monthly billing period, the utility must purchase the NEG at a particular rate.
Net metering allows solar system owners to earn money through their local utility company by producing extra electricity to contribute to the power grid. Net metering is currently not available to customers of municipal utilities or electric cooperatives.*
Another way to reduce the costs of going solar in North Dakota is through the state’s energy-related five-year property tax exemption. Local tax assessors will exclude the value of clean energy systems from the premises’ property tax obligations for commercial and residential properties with solar panels.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make North Dakota a more sustainable state.
State incentives: North Dakota offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
North Dakota is in a prime geographical position to generate clean energy using solar power. Unlike coal- or oil-based electricity, solar energy is environmentally friendly. Solar energy doesn’t produce harmful emissions that contribute to air pollution, nor does it produce toxic by-products. It’s also a free natural resource that requires no mining or extraction.
North Dakotans who get home solar panels can save significantly on utility costs by relying less on fossil fuels. The state’s electricity rate in 2020 was $0.10 kW, and officials expect the rates to rise with the inclusion of additional regulations for high-carbon energy.* By going solar, homeowners can save money each month on utility costs, resulting in an average net savings of $12,000 over 25 years.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
North Dakota state policies?
Net metering: North Dakota has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: North Dakota exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): North Dakota offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): North Dakota has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 0.5%, and it is scheduled to increase to 1% by 2025. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in North Dakota.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in North Dakota? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in North Dakota, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!
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