Solar power in South Dakota has high potential but little practical application. The state ranked 50th among U.S. states in installed solar polar in 2015 with no utility-scale or large commercial systems.[1] Photovoltaic panels on rooftops can provide 38.7% of all electricity used in South Dakota using 3,800 MW of solar panels.[2] The state is ranked 14th in the country in solar power potential, and 4th in wind potential.[3]
Offering net metering is required by federal law, but South Dakota is one of only four states to not have adopted a statewide policy on net metering, which means it needs to be negotiated with the utility.[4][5]
A solar project in Pierre is expected to be online in 2017. It will cost $2 million and cover 5 acres.[6]
|
| Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[8][9][10][11][12][13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Capacity | Installed | % Change |
| 2010 | <0.1 | ||
| 2011 | <0.1 | ||
| 2012 | <0.1 | ||
| 2013 | <0.1 | ||
| 2014 | 0.22 | 0.21 | |
| 2015 | 0.24 | 0.02 | 9% |
| 2016 | 1.34 | 1.1 | 458% |
| 2017 | 1.36 | 0.02 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1.39 | 0.03 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1.44 | 0.05 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1.8 | 0.36 | 25% |
| 2021 | 2 | 0.2 | % |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | % |
