West River Electric Association and solar
West River Electric Association is an electric cooperative serving about 18,975 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.)
- 16.2¢14% above South Dakota average
- Typical bill
- $145896 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~19%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- 19.5 yrs3.8 kW, cash
Export rules for West River Electric Association 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 West River Electric Association home
| System | 3.8 kW (50% of 896 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $13,000 |
| First-year savings | $682 |
| Payback | 19.5 years |
| 25-year net | $4,323 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 206
- Share of customers
- 1.1%
- Residential solar capacity
- 1 MW
- Residential customers
- 18,975
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about West River Electric Association and solar
Does West River Electric Association have net metering?
West River Electric Association 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 West River Electric Association?
Residential customers paid an average of 15.2¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 16.2¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 896 kWh a month, a bill of about $145.
Is solar worth it with West River Electric Association?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 3.8 kW system costing about $13,000 pays back in about 19.5 years, with $4,323 net over 25 years.
How many West River Electric Association customers have solar?
About 206 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 1.1% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: West River Electric Assn Inc (EIA ID 20401). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.