Plug-In Solar in South Dakota
Because South Dakota has neither a plug-in solar law nor net metering, the grid power a kit sends earns only avoided cost, while utility interconnection rules apply.
- No plug-in solar law in South Dakota yetNo bill yet
- Utility rules are in effect.Plug-in watt cap: none.
- 14.6 centsJan to Aug 2026, EIA's average home price per kWh.
- $169 each year.In Sioux Falls, an 800 W kit, not counting any utility solar fee.
Connect in South Dakota only after your electric utility's approval, and use an inverter listed to UL 3700, or an inverter with anti-islanding listed to UL 1741.
South Dakota's Rule Right Now
Hooking up: The PUC's rules on small generator interconnection (S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:36) apply to customers of investor-owned utilities; inverter systems using lab-tested equipment, up to 10 kW, fall under Tier 1. Interconnection costs are generally paid by owners. Customers of co-ops and city utilities follow the rules set by their own utility.
Net metering: None available. South Dakota pays no net metered rate for solar; regulated utilities must buy extra power at a minimum rate that is called avoided cost.
South Dakota Kit Savings
In Sioux Falls, PVWatts estimates 1,449 kWh each year for every 1 kW of panels. Homes in South Dakota pay 14.6 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. Take an 800 W kit; the split is by where it goes:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,159 | $169 |
| Upright on a railing | 730 | $106 |
| Facing east or west | 927 | $135 |
Each Month in Sioux Falls
- Jan75
- Feb85
- Mar102
- Apr113
- May106
- Jun114
- Jul127
- Aug110
- Sep102
- Oct90
- Nov74
- Dec61
kWh that an 800 W kit makes, tilted south.
Kit Prices for South Dakota
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,709 | $249 | 3.6 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 522 | $76 | 5.4 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,159 | $169 | 6.5 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, with every kit used at home. Compare all kits
South Dakota: What to Know
- Net metering doesn't exist in South Dakota at all; lawmakers turned it down as not in the public interest, and power sent out is paid at avoided cost
- Electricity here is fairly cheap: the average home rate was 12.86 cents/kWh in 2024.
Do You Rent or Use a Balcony?
On the mount, your landlord or HOA decides; the hookup sits with your electric utility. Take a look at balcony solar and solar for apartments.
The Main Utilities
- Northern States Power Company - Minnesota
- NorthWestern Energy (SD)
- Black Hills Power, Inc.
- Southeastern Electric Cooperative Inc (SD)
Next Steps in South Dakota for You
- Choose a size: in Sioux Falls, about 579 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit, and about 1,738 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Run yours.
- Ask the lawmakers in your state about a plug-in bill of the sort other states have adopted.
Sources
- Solar Energy FAQ, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
- Compensation, South Dakota PUC
- DSIRE: South Dakota Interconnection Standards
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, South Dakota 2024
- NREL PVWatts, Sioux Falls plus EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
Browse every state at a glance or check a neighbor: Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa.