How does North Dakota compare with the national average for a solar panel installation?

Homeowners in North Dakota typically recoup about 24% of the project's cost at resale, versus ~30% nationally. North Dakota is part of the West North Central Census division, which has the lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.

What most affects the actual return in North Dakota?

Recency and condition. In Roots' model, work under 2 years old counts fully toward resale value, then depreciates toward ~20% after 10 years. A home with a documented maintenance record also typically sells closer to asking. Market conditions in the West North Central division set the regional baseline.

Where do these numbers come from?

Roots calibrates the national baseline for a solar panel installation against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda), then applies a West North Central-division adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, plus the model's own age and condition factors. Figures are modeled estimates, not appraisals.

Is a solar panel installation worth it in North Dakota?

Quick answer: Only partly, in dollar terms. In North Dakota, a solar panel installation typically returns about 24% of its cost at resale, below the ~30% national average. It adds real value, but treat it as an improvement you'll enjoy rather than an investment that pays for itself.

How North Dakota compares

North Dakota is part of the West North Central U.S. Census division, which has the lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 divisions in Roots' valuation model. In practice that means a solar panel installation that returns ~30% of its cost nationally typically returns ~24% for a North Dakota home.

The same regional adjustment applies across the division (North Dakota plus IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, SD). Nationwide, the spread for this project runs from ~24% in the West North Central division to ~35% in the Pacific division. See the national breakdown for every region.

The West North Central market

The Plains states are among the most affordable housing markets in the country, and resale returns on renovations here run the lowest of the nine Census divisions. Buyers are practical: they reward sound condition and working systems, but discretionary upgrades recover noticeably less of their cost than they would on the coasts.

Harsh winters make reliable heating a must-have here, but the payoff is in passing inspection and buyer confidence more than in a price premium.

How other projects return in North Dakota

Project	Typical return in North Dakota
Solar panel installation (this page)	~24%
Wood deck addition	~68%
Bathroom remodel	~60%
Basement remodel	~58%
Window replacement	~55%

Return figures are typical resale-return estimates from Roots' home valuation model. Actual results vary by market, home, and workmanship, and shouldn't be relied on for lending, insurance, or tax decisions.

Sources: national baseline for this project calibrated against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda); regional adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.

Protect the value you add

Whatever the project returns on paper, condition decides what you actually get: in Roots' model the value of completed work fades as it ages, and a documented maintenance record helps a home sell closer to asking. If you're planning around resale value, start with upkeep. The free maintenance checklist generator builds a seasonal schedule for North Dakota homes in about a minute.

The bottom line

“According to Roots' home valuation model, North Dakota's West North Central region has the lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. Census divisions. A solar panel installation there typically recoups about 24% of its cost, within a nationwide range of ~24% to ~35%.” — Roots home valuation model (regionally adjusted resale-return estimates)

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Frequently asked questions

Is a solar panel installation worth it in North Dakota?: Only partly, in dollar terms. In North Dakota, a solar panel installation typically returns about 24% of its cost at resale, below the ~30% national average. It adds real value, but treat it as an improvement you’ll enjoy rather than an investment that pays for itself.
How does North Dakota compare with the national average for a solar panel installation?: Homeowners in North Dakota typically recoup about 24% of the project’s cost at resale, versus ~30% nationally. North Dakota is part of the West North Central Census division, which has the lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.
What most affects the actual return in North Dakota?: Recency and condition. In Roots’ model, work under 2 years old counts fully toward resale value, then depreciates toward ~20% after 10 years. A home with a documented maintenance record also typically sells closer to asking. Market conditions in the West North Central division set the regional baseline.
Where do these numbers come from?: Roots calibrates the national baseline for a solar panel installation against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda), then applies a West North Central-division adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, plus the model’s own age and condition factors. Figures are modeled estimates, not appraisals.

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