Welcoming tourists from all over the world, beautiful South Dakota is famous for Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. With so much to offer, it would stand to reason that the state's solar incentives would match, right? Unfortunately, that's not the case. Perhaps the state has spent a little too much time perfecting tourist attractions, because its alternative energy incentives leave a lot to be desired.
There currently is only one, yes ONE, solar incentive program in South Dakota. It's a property tax exemption, titled The Renewable Energy Systems Exemption. This is one of the few incentives available to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors in South Dakota. The exemption allows for residences to be 100% exempt from taxation on solar equipment and commercial properties 50%. The exemption is transferable from one property owner to the next.
Expecting more? Well, that's about all there is to offer apart from the standard federal tax incentive. I know, it's pretty bleak; but the good news is it can only get better from here, right? If you happen to live in South Dakota, it may not hurt to petition your state representatives to do something about their miserable incentive program. Educate yourself on some of the more progressive states' programs, and point out to your state government how they are falling drastically behind.
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