Holsen Solar designs, engineers, permits, and installs complete solar energy systems for homeowners, farmers, and businesses. Every project handled by our own licensed electricians — no subcontractors, no surprises.
Electricity rates have risen steadily across North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota — and fuel costs are more volatile today than they've been in decades. A solar system converts your unpredictable monthly electric bill into a fixed, known cost of power for 25+ years. After your system pays for itself, the power it produces is yours free.
Minnesota's monthly net metering lets you bank the power you generate in summer against the bills you'd pay in winter. We intentionally oversize your system during peak months — so when January arrives, you're drawing on credits you already earned, not paying full rate. For many homeowners, the result is a near-zero annual electric bill. Not every month looks perfect. The year does.
In ND and SD, net metering terms vary by utility — and in most cases, excess generation exported to the grid returns little or nothing. So we don't design for excess. We analyze your actual consumption and build a system sized to offset it as close to 100% as possible. Every kWh your panels produce is one you don't buy from the utility at full retail rate. Nothing wasted, nothing sent back for pennies.
We hear this objection often. The short answer: Minnesota ranks in the top half of all U.S. for solar potential, and North Dakota isn't far behind.
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not heat. Cold, clear winter days can actually be more efficient than hot summer ones — panels perform better at lower temperatures. Our long summer days more than compensate for shorter winter hours.
We've designed and installed systems across this region that perform exactly as projected, year after year, because this is the only market we work in.
The most common reason people wait on solar is the upfront cost. We get it — a quality system is a significant investment. That's why we work with financing partners to make solar accessible without draining your savings.
In many cases, your monthly loan payment is less than your current electric bill — which means you start saving from month one, not year seven. And unlike your utility bill, your solar payment doesn't go up.
Talk to Us About Financing →Battery storage extends what your solar system can do — capturing surplus energy, providing backup during outages, and in ND and SD, maximizing your self-consumption at full retail value.
In our region, a power outage isn't just an inconvenience. It's a furnace that won't run, pipes that can freeze, food that spoils. Storage as backup power is a decision that has nothing to do with ROI — and everything to do with peace of mind.
In North Dakota and South Dakota, storage also captures midday solar surplus that would otherwise be exported at lower than retail value — stored and used in the evening at full retail rate.
Rising electricity costs are squeezing margins across every industry. Commercial solar converts that unpredictable monthly expense into a one-time capital investment — with immediate tax advantages that no other equipment purchase offers.
Most Minnesota electric co-ops pay full retail rate for excess generation from commercial systems. That means a well-designed system doesn't just cut your bill — it can generate income. Combine that with the 30% federal ITC and 100% first-year bonus depreciation, and MN commercial solar delivers ROI in as few as 6 years. After that, the energy savings — and potential revenue — continue for the life of the system.
Net metering terms vary by utility in ND and SD. We work with your provider directly before finalizing any design. What doesn't vary: the 30% federal ITC and 100% first-year bonus depreciation apply in every state. We size your system to your facility's actual consumption — eliminating as much of your energy charge as possible, with a clear ROI your accountant can validate immediately.
| Incentive | Amount | Available In | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | 30% | ND, MN, SD | Credit on full installed cost — equipment, labor, engineering, permitting. Talk to your accountant. |
| 100% Bonus Depreciation (Year 1) | 100% | ND, MN, SD | Write off the remaining system value entirely in year one. Significant impact on tax liability. Verify with your CPA. |
| MN Co-op Net Metering | Full retail rate | Minnesota (most co-ops) | Excess generation credited at the same rate you'd pay for power. Systems under 40 kW qualify at most co-ops. |
| Energy Cost Elimination | Up to 100% | ND, MN, SD | Every kWh your system produces is one you don't buy. Right-sized systems eliminate the energy charge entirely. |
The TCJA's phase-down of bonus depreciation — which would have dropped to 20% in 2026 and zero in 2027 — has been permanently reversed. Commercial and agricultural solar systems placed in service after January 19, 2025, can be fully expensed in year one. No sunset. No phase-out.
IRS basis reduction rule: depreciable basis is reduced by 50% of ITC claimed ($500k − $75k = $425k). At a 35% effective tax rate, the $425k deduction yields ~$149k in additional tax savings — combined with the $150k ITC, that's approximately $299k recovered in year one on a $500k system. Actual results depend on your tax situation. Verify with your CPA.
Between permitting, engineering, and equipment lead times, the sooner you start the conversation, the better positioned you'll be. We'll walk you through the numbers with your CPA.
Tax laws are complex and project-specific. Bonus depreciation, ITC, state conformity rules, and entity structure all affect your actual outcome. We can give you the numbers to bring to that conversation — your accountant turns them into a tax strategy. We work alongside your tax professional regularly and can provide detailed project financials on request.
Commercial utility bills often have two components — the energy charge (kWh used) and the demand charge (peak kW drawn in any 15-minute window). Solar cuts your energy charge. Storage cuts your demand charge by shaving peak draw before the meter registers it.
Storage detects demand spikes and supplements from the battery before the utility's meter registers the peak. On commercial bills where demand charges represent 30–50% of the total, this is significant.
Charge the battery during off-peak hours when rates are lower. Discharge during peak rate windows to avoid premium pricing. Where time-of-use rates apply, this alone can deliver meaningful monthly savings.
Keep critical operations running through outages. For businesses where downtime has a direct cost — manufacturing, food service, healthcare, agriculture — storage is an operational necessity, not a luxury.
Farming operations run on energy — irrigation pumps, grain dryers, shop power, lighting, heating systems. That cost is one of the most volatile line items on your balance sheet, and it's been moving in one direction. Solar gives you a fixed, predictable energy cost for the life of your operation.
No roof required. Ground mount systems are installed at the optimal angle from day one — maximizing output on any open land. Ideal for farms with available acreage adjacent to power-hungry equipment.
Single or multi-panel pole mount configurations work anywhere on your property. Clean installation, easy to maintain, and can be positioned to clear equipment paths and livestock areas.
Single-axis tracking systems follow the sun throughout the day, increasing output by 20–30% over fixed systems. For high-consumption operations, the additional generation often justifies the investment.
Agricultural operations qualify for the same commercial incentives as businesses — the 30% federal ITC and 100% first-year bonus depreciation. Most MN co-ops also offer full retail net metering for systems under 40 kW, which means excess generation from your farm system creates a revenue stream rather than being wasted. Talk to your accountant and your co-op, then talk to us.
We size agricultural systems to your actual operational consumption — irrigation, grain handling, shop loads, livestock systems. In ND and SD, we don't design for export. We design to eliminate the energy charge at full retail on every kWh your panels produce. The 30% ITC and 100% bonus depreciation apply regardless of state. Net metering terms vary by your co-op — we'll work that out before any design is finalized.
Agricultural solar systems are business property and qualify for the same federal depreciation rules as any commercial installation. Under the OBBBA, 100% first-year bonus depreciation is now a permanent feature of the tax code — the scheduled phase-down to 20% in 2026 and zero by 2027 was reversed. Stack it with the 30% ITC for maximum year-one impact.
Applies to property placed in service after January 19, 2025. Consult your CPA — entity structure, tax position, and state conformity all affect your actual outcome.
A power outage during harvest, planting, or peak livestock care isn't just inconvenient — it's a financial emergency. Irrigation controls, grain dryer motors, ventilation systems, water pumps. Storage keeps critical loads running through outages that would otherwise cost far more than the storage system itself.
For-profit businesses use the 30% Investment Tax Credit to reduce their tax bill. Non-profits, municipalities, churches, and schools have no tax bill — so the credit was historically out of reach. The Inflation Reduction Act changed that permanently. Under Section 6417 elective pay, qualifying tax-exempt organizations receive the full 30% ITC as a direct cash payment from the IRS. Not a deduction. Not a credit against something. A check.
Charities, foundations, food banks, social service organizations. If you file as a 501(c)(3), you qualify.
No 501(c)(3) filing required. Churches and religious organizations are covered as tax-exempt entities under federal statute.
Public school districts, private non-profit schools, community colleges, and universities. Both K-12 and higher education qualify.
Cities, counties, townships, state agencies, tribal governments, and Alaska Native Corporations all qualify as applicable entities.
Non-profit hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems. Some of the largest potential savings in the sector given high 24/7 energy consumption.
Rural electric cooperatives serving communities under 5,000 population qualify. Paired with solar + storage, a strong fit for rural grid resilience projects.
Indian tribal governments and Alaska Native Corporations are explicitly listed as eligible entities. Energy sovereignty and long-term cost savings are both achievable.
Work with us to design and install your system. Our projects are typically completed well within ITC eligibility windows.
After the system is placed in service, register through the IRS Energy Credits Online portal. Allow up to 120 days — do this early in the tax year.
File Form 990-T with Form 3800 attached. This is required even for organizations that don't normally file — including churches and municipalities.
The IRS processes your return and issues a direct payment equal to 30% of your total installed system cost. No offset required.
For most projects our size, the practical deadline is simple: your system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to qualify for the ITC and elective pay. Most of our installations are completed in a matter of weeks — well within that window. That said, the sooner you start, the more time you have for IRS pre-registration, which can take up to 120 days.
Bonus depreciation is a deduction against taxable income — which most non-profits don't have. The elective pay cash payment is your equivalent benefit, and it's often more immediate and straightforward than the depreciation strategies available to for-profit businesses. Your 30% comes back as cash; their 30% comes back as a credit plus depreciation savings over time.
Elective pay requires IRS pre-registration, Form 990-T filing, and careful documentation — even for organizations that don't normally file tax returns. We work alongside your financial team regularly and can provide detailed project documentation to support your filing. The process is manageable — but it needs to start early. Contact us to get the conversation going.
We'll put together the project financials — system cost, projected IRS direct payment, energy savings, and payback timeline — in a format your board, city council, or finance committee can evaluate. No obligation, no pressure.
Get a Free Consultation →Most solar companies are sales organizations that hire subcontractors to do the actual work. That's not how we operate. Holsen Solar is a licensed electrical and building contractor. Our team carries ND, MN, and SD master electrician licenses. We do our own engineering, pull our own permits, and install every system ourselves.
Talk to Our Team →Every system is custom-designed for your roof, your usage, and your utility by our own engineers. No cookie-cutter systems, no templated designs.
ND License M4310 · MN License EA807321 · SD License (pending). Not every solar company is actually a licensed electrical contractor.
Design, engineering, permitting, installation, utility interconnection, and warranty support — one team, every step. When something needs attention, you call us.
We're based in Fargo. We serve our neighbors. Our reputation in this community matters more than any national brand's marketing budget.
We install residential, agricultural, and commercial systems using equipment from the industry's most trusted manufacturers. Every system is spec'd for your specific situation.
The most common install. Best for homes and businesses with south- or west-facing roof space and a sound structure.
Ideal for properties with open land. Optimally angled from day one, easier to maintain, and no roof penetrations.
Perfect for farms and rural properties. Single or multi-panel configurations work anywhere on your property.
Single-axis tracking systems follow the sun for 20–30% more output. For high-consumption operations, the production gain often justifies the cost.
We carry storage solutions across the full spectrum — from residential whole-home backup to heavy commercial installations. The right battery depends on your loads, your goals, and your budget.
All work performed in accordance with local, state, and national electrical codes. Fully permitted and inspected on every job.
Detailed cost breakdown before work begins. No hidden fees, no surprise charges — the quote is the price.
We respect your schedule. Every project is delivered on time with clear communication throughout.
Comprehensive in-house warranty on all labor and materials, plus full manufacturer warranties on every product installed.
Six steps. One team. We handle everything — so you don't have to coordinate between contractors, utilities, and inspectors.
We visit your property, review your utility bills, and give you an honest assessment. No pressure, no obligation. We'll tell you exactly what solar would realistically cost and save for your specific situation.
Our in-house engineers design a system sized to your actual usage and optimized for your roof, land, or pole configuration — and your specific utility's net metering terms.
We pull all required local building permits and file utility interconnection applications on your behalf. This typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on your utility and jurisdiction.
Our licensed electricians install your system — typically in 1–3 days for residential, longer for commercial and agricultural. Clean work, protected surfaces, no mess left behind.
We coordinate all required inspections and work directly with your utility to get your system approved and connected to the grid. We don't hand you a number to call.
Your system goes live. You get access to monitoring so you can see exactly what your panels are producing in real time — and watch your bill drop.
Serving Eastern North Dakota, Western Minnesota, and the Aberdeen, South Dakota region for residential, agricultural, and commercial projects. Commercial and agricultural solar available statewide in ND, MN, and SD.
Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation. We'll review your utility bills, assess your property, and give you a straight answer on what solar would realistically cost — and save — for your specific situation.
No obligation · No pressure · Just honest numbers