Federal solar credit ended Dec 31, 2025
Sorted & Saved

Net metering · North Dakota

North Dakota Net Metering and Solar Export Credits

Fact-checked by Sorted & Saved data desk
Updated Data verified Nov 5, 2026

Net metering. A North Dakota PSC rule entitles home solar systems of 100 kW or less on investor-owned utilities (Xcel Energy, Montana-Dakota, Otter Tail) to net energy billing, where exports run the meter backward and offset usage at the retail rate within each month. A month's leftover surplus is paid at the utility's avoided cost (Montana-Dakota: 2.69 c/kWh); rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities set their own policies.

On this page [ 5 ]

What Montana-Dakota Utilities pays for exported solar

For a new rooftop system, Montana-Dakota Utilities credits exported energy at about 2.69¢ per kWh[1], against an average North Dakota residential price of 12.46¢[2]. Exports first offset what you use over each month at the retail rate; this rate applies only to the surplus left over.

Other North Dakota utilities, co-ops and municipal utilities set their own rates; check your utility's current tariff.

State rules that apply

  • What the rule says: “Qualifying facilities with a design capacity of one hundred kilowatts or less are entitled to net energy billing where the output from the qualifying facility reverses the electric meter”[3]

What it means for sizing and batteries

When exports earn close to the retail price, sizing the system to cover your yearly use is usually the best value, and a battery is mainly for backup rather than savings.

The calculator uses the statewide rule until we add utility rates. See what solar costs in North Dakota.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota have net metering?

A North Dakota PSC rule entitles home solar systems of 100 kW or less on investor-owned utilities (Xcel Energy, Montana-Dakota, Otter Tail) to net energy billing, where exports run the meter backward and offset usage at the retail rate within each month. A month's leftover surplus is paid at the utility's avoided cost (Montana-Dakota: 2.69 c/kWh); rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities set their own policies.

sources

[ 3 ]

Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.

  1. Montana-Dakota Utilities - Renewable / Solar Energy (read via Wayback Machine copy of 10 Oct 2026; live site returns HTTP 403 to automated requests)montana-dakota.com · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B: Average price of electricity by state, year-to-date (August 2026, preliminary)eia.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. N.D. Admin. Code 69-09-07-09(3)(a), Small Power Production and Cogeneration - rates for purchasesndlegis.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026

Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.

Change log

  1. Monthly output per kW in Fargo updated to [64.8, 77.1, 119.8, 136.8, 133.3, 146.9, 160.4, 144.7, 106.2, 88.6, 61.2, 54.0] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  2. Average solar radiation on the panels in Fargo updated to 4.45 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  3. Solar output per kW in North Dakota (PVWatts, Fargo) updated to 1293.9 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).