Solar by City / South Dakota / Aberdeen

Data last verified: 2026-08

Is Solar Worth It in Aberdeen, South Dakota? (2026)

Direct answer
Aberdeen, South Dakota in 2026: residential electricity averages 14.2¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD). Solar production for Aberdeen is modeled at ~1291 kWh per kW per year, derived from South Dakota's NREL PVWatts v8 state value (1310 kWh/kW) adjusted for the city's latitude — a modeled estimate, not a site-specific PVWatts run. South Dakota uses full-retail net metering. A typical 6 kW system in Aberdeen has an estimated payback of 14.6 years. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025; state and utility incentives are the deciding factor in 2026. Sources: EIA, NREL PVWatts v8, DSIRE (retrieved 2026-08-29).

The honest answer depends on four numbers unique to Aberdeen: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates. City production is a modeled estimate derived from South Dakota's real NREL PVWatts v8 value adjusted for local latitude.

CAUTION — long payback in Aberdeen; only consider with strong incentives
Est. payback (6 kW)
14.6 yr
Electricity rate
14.2¢/kWh
Solar production (modeled)
1291 kWh/kW
Net metering
Full retail

Solar Snapshot for Aberdeen, South Dakota (2026)

Residential electricity rate14.2¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May)
Solar production (modeled)~1291 kWh per kW per year (derived from NREL PVWatts v8 1310 kWh/kW, latitude-adjusted)
Net meteringfull-retail net metering
State tax creditNone in 2026
Rebates / performanceNone
SREC marketNo active SREC market
Property tax exemptionNo
Sales tax exemptionNo

Estimate Your Own Payback in Aberdeen

The table above is a 6 kW benchmark using South Dakota's real inputs. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with South Dakota pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.

Aberdeen FAQ

How much solar production can I expect in Aberdeen?

PVFig models Aberdeen at ~1291 kWh per kW installed per year, derived from South Dakota's NREL PVWatts v8 state value (1310 kWh/kW) adjusted for the city's latitude. This is a modeled estimate — a site-specific PVWatts run with your exact roof azimuth, tilt and shading will differ. Actual output also depends on panel quality and local weather.

What is the estimated solar payback in Aberdeen?

At a typical 2.80/W installed cost and 14.2¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Aberdeen has an estimated payback of about 14.6 years. That is a long payback — solar is hard to justify unless strong state incentives apply.

Does South Dakota have net metering and a solar tax credit in 2026?

South Dakota uses full-retail net metering. There is no state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.

More cities in South Dakota

Compare South Dakota with nearby states

Modeled estimate & disclaimer: The city production figure (~1291 kWh/kW) is modeled from South Dakota's real NREL PVWatts v8 state value (1310 kWh/kW) adjusted for Aberdeen's latitude — it is not a site-specific PVWatts simulation. Electricity rate (14.2¢/kWh) is the real EIA 2026 YTD state residential average; installed cost (2.80/W) is a real regional estimate. All figures are estimates from dated public sources (EIA 2026, NREL PVWatts v8, DSIRE 2026; retrieved 2026-08-29) — not a quote or financial advice. Incentive budgets close; verify current terms with your utility and a licensed installer. Federal residential ITC (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025.

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