South Dakota’s solar potential is significant. While there might not be much solar panel installations in the state to date, this could change quite a bit in the coming years as the state ranks rather highly for overall solar potential. Currently, the state has about 1.6 megawatts of installed solar capacity. This brings the state to 51st nationwide. It’s also enough electricity for about 185 homes.
Get contacted by an affordable solar panel installer in South Dakota by filling out the form on this page. Read further for more information about the state’s solar industry.
Here are some key numbers about the state’s solar activity to date;*
- About a tenth of a megawatt of solar capacity was added in the state in 2018. This gave it a ranking of 51st for that year.
- South Dakota has 19 solar companies which allow 444 people to be employed.
- The state invested approximately $.26 million into solar projects in 2017. Cumulatively, the total is now about $3 million.
- Prices for solar in the state have dropped 47 percent over the past 5 years.
A Germany based company, named Wirsol, is currently developing a 110 megawatt project in South Dakota. This would finally give the state a significant solar presence. The location of this project is the Oglala Lakota Nation’s land. It’s projected that construction could start as early as June 2019.***
The state had a renewable portfolio standard that called for 10 percent of its total electricity needs to be supplied by renewable sources by 2015. This percentage has not changed since then.
There currently is no set net metering policy in the state. Each customer connecting to the grid would be required to negotiate terms with their utility.**
About 7 solar installers now operate in the state. They can be found in Sioux, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, and Mitchell to name a few.
Fill out the form on this page to get connected to a trusted solar installer in South Dakota.
*Information and figures gathered from seia.org.
**Information and figures gathered from dsireusa.org.
***https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/08/07/oglala-lakota-lands-could-host-110-mw-ac-of-solar/.
