Plug-In Solar in North Dakota
In North Dakota, there's no plug-in solar law. Kits that feed the grid therefore follow the general state rules that apply to small customer-owned generators.
- No plug-in solar law in North Dakota yetNo bill yet
- Utility rules are in effect.Plug-in wattage isn't capped.
- 12.5 centsThe EIA average home price per kWh covers Jan to Aug 2026.
- $133 each year.In Fargo, an 800 W kit, with no utility solar fee included.
Connect in North Dakota only after your electric utility's approval, and choose an inverter carrying a UL 1741 listing with anti-islanding, or a UL 3700 listing.
Today's Rule in North Dakota
Hooking up: The Public Service Commission's rule treats small customer generators as qualifying facilities (N.D. Admin. chapter 69-09-07 of the Code). Any interconnection costs the commission assesses must be paid by the owner.
Net metering: Only investor-owned utilities provide net energy billing for systems of 100 kW or less, and co-ops or city utilities don't. Each month, the utility buys excess power at its avoided cost price.
Savings for a Kit in North Dakota
PVWatts shows 1,333 kWh a year for every 1 kW of panels in Fargo. Homes in North Dakota pay 12.5 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. With an 800 W kit, results vary by where it goes:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,066 | $133 |
| Upright on a railing | 672 | $84 |
| Facing east or west | 853 | $106 |
Fargo Month by Month
- Jan60
- Feb68
- Mar101
- Apr110
- May104
- Jun113
- Jul125
- Aug116
- Sep88
- Oct78
- Nov55
- Dec50
With panels tilted south, an 800 W kit makes this many kWh.
Kit Prices for North Dakota
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,573 | $196 | 4.6 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 480 | $60 | 6.9 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,066 | $133 | 8.3 years | $1,099 |
All kits tilt south and are used at home. Compare every kit
Things Worth Knowing in North Dakota
- Electricity is cheap in North Dakota. The 2024 average for homes was 11.51 cents/kWh, so a plug-in kit takes a long time to pay back.
- Rural co-ops are the two largest electricity sellers. Their customers have no state net metering right.
- For the meter that tracks power the kit sends out, the utility may charge the owner, under the same chapter (69-09-07) of the Public Service Commission.
Renting or Using a Balcony?
The mount is up to your landlord or HOA. For the hookup, your electric utility makes the decision. Read about balcony solar and solar in apartments.
Key Utilities
- Montana-Dakota Utilities Company
- Otter Tail Power Company
- Northern States Power Company - Minnesota
- McKenzie Electric Cooperative Inc
What to Do Next in North Dakota
- In Fargo, annual output is about 533 kWh for a 400 W kit and about 1,599 kWh for 1,200 W models. Pick a size. Run your numbers.
- Other states have passed plug-in bills, so ask your state lawmakers about one like those.
Sources
- N.D. Admin. Code chapter 69-09-07, Small Power Production and Cogeneration
- DSIRE: North Dakota Net Metering
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, North Dakota 2024
- NREL PVWatts, Fargo and the EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
View every state at a glance or check a neighbor: Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska.