Solar Panels in Watford City, ND: Cost, Payback & Savings
A typical 9.2 kW home solar system in Watford City costs about $33,120 and doesn't pay for itself within 25 years, losing roughly $6,036 overall at North Dakota's average electricity price of 12.4¢/kWh. Power you send back to the grid earns only about 3.0¢/kWh here, which is built into these numbers.
Monthly solar production in Watford City
Estimated output of a 9.2 kW south-facing roof system. Jul is the strongest month (1,596 kWh); Dec the weakest (459 kWh).
Solar production (kWh) Typical home use, 1,029 kWh/month
Solar payback calculator for Watford City
Pre-filled with Watford City's sunshine and North Dakota's average electricity price. Enter your own bill and an installer's price per watt to see your payback.
Leave export credit blank where the utility offers full net metering. Where exports earn less, solar used at home as it's produced is worth the full price and the rest earns the export credit.
How Watford City compares
- Each kW of panels here produces about 1,365 kWh a year — 3% more than the North Dakota median and about the same as the US median city (1,371 kWh).
- Payback ranks #12 of 20 North Dakota places we cover.
- Sunshine varies little across a state; electricity price, installed cost and how utilities credit exported power drive most of the difference between states.
Net metering, tax credits and incentives in 2026
North Dakota pays less than retail for exported solar power. Under Avoided-cost net metering, power you send to the grid earns about 3.0¢/kWh, against 12.4¢ for power you buy. We assume 40% of a no-battery system's output is used at home as it's produced (worth the full price) and the rest is exported, so each solar kWh is worth about 6.7¢. Using more of your solar yourself, by running appliances midday or adding a battery, raises that.
North Dakota investor-owned utilities credit excess generation at avoided cost, far below retail. Source.
There is no federal tax credit for buying home solar installed in 2026. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so the costs and paybacks on this page include no federal credit.
North Dakota and local utilities may still offer rebates, performance payments, property-tax or sales-tax exemptions. Search the DSIRE incentives database for North Dakota and ask installers which programs they apply for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Watford City, ND?
For a typical home, savings do not repay the system within 25 years at today's prices. Over 25 years the estimated net loss is $6,036. Verdict: hard to justify on savings alone. Your own payback depends on your roof, your bill and the quotes you get.
How many solar panels do I need in Watford City, ND?
A home using 1,029 kWh a month (the North Dakota average) needs about 23 panels of 400 W — a 9.2 kW system — to cover its annual use. Divide your own yearly kWh by 1,365 to get the kW you need.
How much do solar panels cost in Watford City, ND?
At 3.60 dollars per watt, a 9.2 kW system costs about $33,120 before any state or utility incentives. There is no federal tax credit for systems installed in 2026.
How much sun does Watford City get?
Watford City averages 4.7 peak sun hours per day, so each kilowatt of panels produces about 1,365 kWh a year.
Does North Dakota have net metering?
Not full retail net metering. Under Avoided-cost net metering, exported solar power earns about 3.0¢ per kWh, versus 12.4¢ for power bought from the grid. Solar you use at home as it's produced still saves the full price.
How much does electricity cost in North Dakota?
Residential electricity in North Dakota averages 12.4¢ per kWh, and a typical home uses 1,029 kWh a month (EIA).