Brought to you by Wolf River Electric – Midwest Solar Experts You Can Count On

Thinking about going solar in North Dakota? Even with long winters and wide-open spaces, solar can deliver strong value—especially when designed to meet your unique usage. With limited incentives and variable permitting requirements, choosing the right partner is critical. Wolf River Electric brings the experience, licensing, and expertise to get your solar project done right—anywhere from Fargo to rural farms.

Step 1: Initial Assessment

Not sure if your property qualifies? Wolf River Electric offers free remote or in-person assessments to evaluate your home, farm, or business. We analyze:

  • Sun exposure using satellite tools like PVWatts

  • Roof condition and orientation

  • Energy usage trends and future goals (EVs, heat pumps, etc.)

If you’re in a remote area, we’ll still make it work—our teams are accustomed to rural site evaluations and long-distance logistics.

Step 2: System Design

In North Dakota, there’s no special solar license required—but electrical work must still follow strict safety codes. That’s why Wolf River Electric uses only licensed electricians and NEC-compliant design practices.

We’ll custom design your system with:

  • Snow load-appropriate racking and spacing

  • Durable solar panels rated for harsh winters

  • Inverters, disconnects, and optional battery backup

We also handle utility requirements for excess generation (since ND’s net metering pays at avoided cost, not full retail), helping you right-size your system to avoid giving energy away for pennies.

Step 3: Permitting and Inspection

Permitting in North Dakota is location-dependent:

  • In cities like Fargo, Bismarck, or Grand Forks, both electrical and building permits are required.

  • In rural or unincorporated areas, you may only need an electrical permit, managed by the North Dakota State Electrical Board.

Wolf River Electric will confirm your local requirements and submit all necessary plans, drawings, and electrical specs. We schedule inspections with state or local officials to ensure your system meets NEC and safety codes.

Step 4: Installation

Our experienced install crews know how to build for extreme weather, including snow, wind, and frost heave conditions. We don’t cut corners—every system is anchored properly and installed with high-performance hardware designed for long winters.

Expect:

  • 1–3 day installations, even in remote areas

  • Licensed electricians handling all system wiring

  • Labeling, bonding, and disconnects that meet code and utility requirements

We’ll walk you through the system post-install and leave everything ready for final inspection and utility hookup.

Step 5: Utility Interconnection

North Dakota has basic net metering rules for investor-owned utilities, but unlike other states, you’re credited at the utility’s avoided cost (a much lower rate than what you pay per kWh).

Wolf River Electric helps you make the most of this by:

  • Right-sizing your system to avoid overproduction

  • Guiding you through utility interconnection agreements

  • Submitting all utility paperwork for review and approval

We’ve worked with MDU, Xcel Energy, and smaller co-ops, and we understand how to get your system approved and energized quickly.

Conclusion:

Solar works in North Dakota—but only if done right. With minimal state incentives and limited net metering, it’s important to design your system around self-consumption and long-term reliability. That’s where Wolf River Electric comes in: we make the process simple, safe, and worth it.

Let’s bring solar to your home or land.