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]