South Dakota

SD
Unclear
Current Status
Last verified: March 2026

South Dakota Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate12.7¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
2¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$135/yr
Last UpdatedMarch 2026
Calculate SD Savings
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South Dakota Legislation Alert

Be the first to know when South Dakota's plug-in solar bill advances, passes, or is signed into law.

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What This Means for You

What You Can Do

No specific plug-in solar law. Traditional rooftop solar available. Black Hills Energy offers net metering.

Current Limitations

Utilities require interconnection agreements for grid-tied systems.

What "Unclear" Means for You

South Dakota has no explicit law permitting or prohibiting plug-in solar devices. No legislation has been introduced yet. Plug-in solar occupies a regulatory gray area.

What you can do right now:

1.Check your lease or HOA rules for any restrictions on balcony or patio equipment.
2.Use our Readiness Checker to see if your space qualifies for plug-in solar.
3.Write your landlord using our Landlord Letter Generator to request permission.
4.Contact your state representative to advocate for plug-in solar legislation.
5.Subscribe to alerts above to get notified when the law changes.
Take the Readiness QuizGenerate Landlord Letter

South Dakota State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.9 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt44°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,176 kWh/yr
Best MonthsMay–August

South Dakota has excellent solar potential for a northern state, with long summer days. Wind energy dominates the state's renewable portfolio.

Major Utilities
Black Hills Energy
~80,000 customers
Net metering
Xcel Energy (Northern States Power)
~90,000 customers
Net metering
East River Electric Power Cooperative
~90,000 members
Net metering

Population
919,318
Total Households
360,000
Owner-Occupied
247,000
Renter-Occupied
113,000
Single-Family Homes
250,000
Apartment Units (5+)
38,000
Median Income
$65,000
Median Home Value
$225,000

31% of South Dakota households are renter-occupied — approximately 113,000 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Net metering available through Black Hills Energy. No active state solar tax credit or rebate in South Dakota. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.