Central Electric Cooperative and solar
Central Electric Cooperative is an electric cooperative serving about 6,515 homes in South Dakota. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 15.6¢10% above South Dakota average
- Typical bill
- $2401,537 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~19%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- 18.1 yrs6.5 kW, cash
Export rules for Central Electric Cooperative customers
No statewide net metering (South Dakota rule).
South Dakota has no net metering law. Utilities generally let you use your own solar and buy the excess at their avoided cost (a few cents per kWh).
Solar for a typical Central Electric Cooperative home
| System | 6.5 kW (50% of 1,537 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $19,750 |
| First-year savings | $1,133 |
| Payback | 18.1 years |
| 25-year net | $8,850 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 6,515
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Central Electric Cooperative and solar
Does Central Electric Cooperative have net metering?
Central Electric Cooperative follows South Dakota's rules: South Dakota has no net metering law. Utilities generally let you use your own solar and buy the excess at their avoided cost (a few cents per kWh).
How much does electricity cost with Central Electric Cooperative?
Residential customers paid an average of 14.7¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 15.6¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,537 kWh a month, a bill of about $240.
Is solar worth it with Central Electric Cooperative?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 6.5 kW system costing about $19,750 pays back in about 18.1 years, with $8,850 net over 25 years.
How many Central Electric Cooperative customers have solar?
Central Electric Cooperative did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: Central Electric Coop, Inc - (SD) (EIA ID 3236). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.