Solar Panel Cost & Payback in North Dakota
Home solar in North Dakota pays back in a median 25+ years across the 20 places we cover, at an average electricity price of 12.4¢/kWh and about $3.60 per watt installed. Power sent back to the grid earns only about 3.0¢/kWh (Avoided-cost net metering), which lengthens payback. Fargo has the fastest payback (25+ years).
Solar estimates for North Dakota cities and towns
Sorted by fastest payback. Each figure is for a system sized to an average North Dakota home (1,029 kWh/month).
| Place | kWh per kW | System | Cost | Payback | 25-yr savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 1,294 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,769 |
| Bismarck | 1,383 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$5,679 |
| Grand Forks | 1,285 | 10.0 kW | $36,000 | 25+ yrs | −$8,287 |
| Minot | 1,329 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,044 |
| West Fargo | 1,309 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,458 |
| Williston | 1,340 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$6,816 |
| Dickinson | 1,378 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$5,778 |
| Mandan | 1,365 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$6,036 |
| Jamestown | 1,341 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$6,796 |
| Wahpeton | 1,300 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,645 |
| Devils Lake | 1,319 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,251 |
| Watford City | 1,365 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$6,036 |
| Valley City | 1,344 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$6,453 |
| Minot Air Force Base | 1,325 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,127 |
| Grafton | 1,278 | 10.0 kW | $36,000 | 25+ yrs | −$8,438 |
| Lincoln | 1,376 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$5,818 |
| Beulah | 1,351 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$6,314 |
| Rugby | 1,309 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,458 |
| Stanley | 1,330 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,024 |
| Horace | 1,308 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$7,479 |