City of Brookings and solar
City of Brookings is a municipal utility serving about 10,769 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.)
- 11.4¢20% below South Dakota average
- Typical bill
- $100880 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~26%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- Never3.7 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Brookings 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 City of Brookings home
| System | 3.7 kW (50% of 880 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $12,750 |
| First-year savings | $483 |
| Payback | never within 25 years |
| 25-year net | −$1,464 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 10,769
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of Brookings and solar
Does City of Brookings have net metering?
City of Brookings 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 City of Brookings?
Residential customers paid an average of 10.7¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 11.4¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 880 kWh a month, a bill of about $100.
Is solar worth it with City of Brookings?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 3.7 kW system costing about $12,750 does not pay back within 25 years, with −$1,464 net over 25 years.
How many City of Brookings customers have solar?
City of Brookings did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of Brookings - (SD) (EIA ID 2285). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.