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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

North Dakota

Not yet legal

North Dakota has decent solar resource potential but a small market and limited solar-specific consumer protections. The state has a solar easement statute but no law restricting HOA solar bans, so HOAs retain broad discretion. Net metering (up to 100kW) has applied to investor-owned utilities like Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities since 1991, but Xcel Energy (Northern States Power) no longer offers residential net metering in the state. No plug-in/balcony solar legislation is pending as of mid-2026.

Get notified when North Dakota goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when North Dakota passes — no spam.

What You Can Use in North Dakota While You Wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal in North Dakota right now, no law required.

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$299

Check price ↗

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$449

Check price ↗

Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$749

Check price ↗

See the full solar backup guide

Runtime charts for real devices, more kit options, and setup steps.

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Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 3.0%/yr avg — Low growth

Rates up 16% over the past 5 years

From $0.095/kWh in 2021 → $0.110/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.

3.0%

avg. annual increase

Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)

$0.095

2021

$0.098

2022

$0.101

2023

$0.104

2024

$0.107

2025

$0.110

2026

20-year projected rate

$0.199/kWh

at 3.0%/yr escalation

Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*

$756

vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)

Best time to go solar

Now

Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

What a North Dakota Law Could Look Like

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Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A North Dakota law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

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High rates = strong economics

At North Dakota's avg. $0.110/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $97/year. Payback in as few as 8 years at current rates.

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Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

FAQ

Can an HOA in North Dakota prohibit solar panels, including plug-in devices?

Likely yes. North Dakota has a solar easement statute (NDCC 47-05-01.1) but no law restricting HOA authority over solar installations, so HOA covenants can govern or ban devices.

Does Xcel Energy offer net metering in North Dakota?

No - Xcel Energy (Northern States Power) no longer offers residential net metering for solar in North Dakota, though other utilities like Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities still provide it under the state's 1991 policy for systems up to 100kW.

Is plug-in/balcony solar legislation pending in North Dakota?

No. As of mid-2026, North Dakota has no active plug-in solar bill, unlike neighboring Minnesota which has introduced such legislation.

Do small grid-tied devices need formal interconnection approval from Otter Tail Power?

Yes - Otter Tail Power's published interconnection requirements apply to distributed generation generally, with no identified exemption for very small (<1500W) plug-in devices.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment North Dakota files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.