Updated October 2026 by Wolf River Electric, a solar company serving homes, farms and businesses across the state.
Ready for the next step? Learn about solar incentives by state from Wolf River Electric, or get a free quote.
Average cost of solar panels in North Dakota in 2026
Solar is priced per watt of panel capacity. SolarReviews’s 2026 data puts the North Dakota average at $3.44 per watt, including equipment and installation. Here is what that works out to by system size:
| System size | Good fit for | Estimated cost before incentives |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | Smaller homes, low usage | About $20,600 |
| 8 kW | Average usage, gas heat | About $27,500 |
| 10 kW | Larger homes or an EV | About $34,400 |
| 12 kW | High usage | About $41,300 |
| 15 kW | Electric heat, farms or two EVs | About $51,600 |
Estimates use the North Dakota average of $3.44 per watt for roof-mounted systems. Ground mounts, trenching, batteries and electrical panel upgrades add to the price. We size every system from 12 months of your electric bills, not from a chart.
North Dakota incentives that lower your cost
- Net billing: the investor-owned utilities offer net billing for systems up to 100 kW. Buyback rates differ by utility.
- Property tax: solar is exempt from North Dakota property tax for 5 years.
- Size to your own use: because extra power is often bought back below retail, the best value comes from using most of what you make, or adding a battery.
See every program in our Midwest solar incentives guide.
What changed in 2026: the federal tax credit
The 30% federal tax credit for homeowner-owned solar ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. If you buy with cash or a loan in 2026, there is no federal credit. A solar lease or prepaid lease lets the leasing company claim the 30% commercial credit and pass savings to you. Farms and businesses can still claim the commercial credit for systems placed in service by the end of 2027. Read what changed with the solar tax credit.
What affects the price of your system
- System size: bigger systems cost more in total but usually less per watt.
- Roof or ground mount: a sound roof facing south, east or west is the simplest install. Ground mounts cost more and suit farms and acreages.
- Equipment: panel brand, microinverters or a string inverter, and warranties.
- Electrical work: some homes need a main panel upgrade first.
- Battery backup: adds cost, keeps essentials running in an outage and lets you use more of your own solar power. We quote with and without one.
How long it takes to pay off solar in North Dakota
Payback in North Dakota depends heavily on your utility’s buyback rate. Homes that use most of their solar power themselves, or pair solar with a battery, see the best return. We run the numbers with your bills and your utility’s actual rates.
North Dakota solar cost questions
How much does a 10 kW solar system cost in North Dakota?
At the 2026 North Dakota average of $3.44 per watt, about $34,400 before incentives.
Is there a solar tax credit in North Dakota in 2026?
North Dakota has no state solar tax credit, and the federal homeowner credit ended after 2025. Leases and prepaid leases can still pass along savings from the commercial credit, and farms and businesses can claim it directly.
Which utilities do you work with in North Dakota?
We handle interconnection with Xcel Energy, Otter Tail Power, Montana-Dakota Utilities, your co-op or your city utility.
Do solar panels work in a North Dakota winter?
Yes. Panels make less power on short winter days but run efficiently in cold, clear weather, and snow usually slides off tilted panels within a few sunny days.
Get a North Dakota solar quote built from your bills
Wolf River Electric is a North Dakota solar company. Our own licensed crews install solar, batteries and generators for homes, farms and businesses. Send us 12 months of bills and we will show you the system size, the price and the payback, with and without a battery. Get my free quote
Sources: SolarReviews solar cost data for North Dakota (2026); state revenue departments and utility tariffs.
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