Is solar worth it in North Carolina?
For a typical North Carolina home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 14.2-year payback and $20,163 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 14.2 yrs7.8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 14.8¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,412kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- ~24%Net billing (reduced export credit)
The numbers for a typical North Carolina home
| Electricity use | 1,021 kWh a month (North Carolina average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 7.8 kW, producing 11,012 kWh a year (90% of use) |
| Price | $21,830 at about $2.85/W |
| First-year savings | $1,569 |
| Payback | 14.2 years |
| 25-year net | $20,163 (5.4% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.2% a year, from North Carolina's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is cheap: 14.8¢ per kWh, 18% below the U.S. average (18.0¢), so each solar kWh saves less.
- Exported solar is typically credited at about 24% of retail, so systems pay best when sized for what you use yourself.
- A typical system here produces about 1,412 kWh per kW per year (ranked #20 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in North Carolina
Net billing (reduced export credit). Duke Energy's new solar customers choose between the 'Bridge Rate' (retail-style net metering, open until Jan 1, 2027 or caps fill) and Residential Solar Choice, which requires a time-of-use rate and credits monthly net exports at avoided cost (~3.4-4 cents). Both include a minimum bill.
RSC: monthly net exports credited at the Net Excess Energy Credit (annualized avoided cost, ~3.4 cents/kWh in 2026) under mandatory TOU-CPP. Bridge Rate (Rider NMB): consumption netted at retail within the month on a non-TOU rate; net excess credited at the same avoided-cost rate.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: Monthly net excess credited at avoided cost (~3.4 cents); minimum bill limits savings. Exact annual reset rules not verified.
- System size limit: 20 kW
- Fixed charges: Minimum bill ~$22 DEC / ~$28 DEP (verify); non-bypassable storm/cyber charges; grid access fee >15 kW.
- Last major change: NCUC approved Duke Residential Solar Choice (2023).
- Pending: Bridge Rate (Rider NMB) closes to new applications around Jan 1, 2027 (sources conflict: Dec 31, 2026 approval deadline vs. Oct 1, 2027); then RSC is the only option.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | 3.5¢/kWh | RSC with TOU-CPP; Bridge until 1/1/2027. |
| Duke Energy Progress | 3.5¢/kWh | Same; PowerPair capacity reportedly nearly full. |
| Dominion Energy NC | Varies by utility | Separate net metering rules. |
Solar incentives in North Carolina
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke PowerPair | battery incentive | Up to $9,000 for solar+battery ($0.36/W solar up to ~$3,600; $400/kW battery up to ~$5,400); 30 MW cap per utility, ends at 3 years from May 2024 or when full. Eligibility: Duke NC customers via Trade Ally | unknown |
| Property tax exemption | property tax exemption | 80% of solar system value exempt from property tax. Eligibility: Residential | active |
What solar costs in North Carolina
A fair cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives. For the 7.8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $18,900 to $26,700; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 63,841
- Share of homes
- 1.2%
- Residential solar capacity
- 503 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +9.5%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in North Carolina
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | 1,961,108 | 14.2¢ | 1,009 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Duke Energy Progress | 1,383,941 | 15.9¢ | 1,061 kWh/mo | Close call |
| EnergyUnited Electric Member | 124,446 | 12.3¢ | 1,215 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Dominion Energy Virginia | 109,057 | 16.3¢ | 1,049 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Brunswick Electric Member | 108,087 | 14.1¢ | 1,081 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Union Electric Membership | 86,852 | 14.7¢ | 1,220 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Jones-Onslow Electric Member | 81,070 | 14.1¢ | 1,131 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Fayetteville Public Works Commission | 75,618 | 12.8¢ | 1,004 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Blue Ridge Electric Member | 72,320 | 15.7¢ | 904 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Rutherford Electric Member | 72,060 | 13.7¢ | 1,144 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Greenville Utilities Comm | 66,779 | 13.4¢ | 1,032 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Lumbee River Electric Member | 65,422 | 15.1¢ | 1,352 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Wake Electric Membership | 56,069 | 15.1¢ | 1,122 kWh/mo | Close call |
| South River Electric Member | 46,422 | 15.4¢ | 1,305 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Carteret-Craven El Member | 39,424 | 13.2¢ | 1,055 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Town of High Point | 38,553 | 12.3¢ | 932 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| French Broad Electric Member | 36,049 | 17.1¢ | 807 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Wilson | 32,472 | 13.6¢ | 1,115 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Randolph Electric Member | 31,531 | 17.0¢ | 1,054 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Four County Electric Member | 31,222 | 15.9¢ | 1,279 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Piedmont Electric Member | 30,640 | 16.5¢ | 1,189 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Haywood Electric Member | 30,307 | 17.8¢ | 822 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Concord | 30,029 | 12.2¢ | 1,034 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Town of Apex | 29,754 | 17.6¢ | 762 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Surry-Yadkin Electric Member | 28,296 | 18.5¢ | 1,059 kWh/mo | Worth it |
Solar by city in North Carolina
- Charlotte15.1-yr payback · Close call
- Raleigh13.5-yr payback · Close call
- Greensboro14.6-yr payback · Close call
- Durham15.4-yr payback · Close call
- Winston-Salem14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Fayetteville13.2-yr payback · Close call
- Cary13.4-yr payback · Close call
- Wilmington13-yr payback · Worth it
- High Point14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Concord14.5-yr payback · Close call
- Asheville13.4-yr payback · Close call
- Greenville13-yr payback · Worth it
- Gastonia14.5-yr payback · Close call
- Jacksonville12.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Apex13.2-yr payback · Close call
- Huntersville14.4-yr payback · Close call
- Chapel Hill15.4-yr payback · Close call
- Burlington15-yr payback · Close call
- Kannapolis14.6-yr payback · Close call
- Rocky Mount13.1-yr payback · Close call
- Wake Forest15.3-yr payback · Close call
- Mooresville14.4-yr payback · Close call
- Wilson14.9-yr payback · Close call
- Holly Springs13-yr payback · Worth it
- Hickory14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Indian Trail14.8-yr payback · Close call
- Fuquay-Varina12.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Monroe14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Salisbury14.6-yr payback · Close call
- Garner12.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Goldsboro13-yr payback · Worth it
- Cornelius14.5-yr payback · Close call
- New Bern13.3-yr payback · Close call
- Sanford13.5-yr payback · Close call
- Morrisville15.4-yr payback · Close call
- Matthews14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Statesville14.4-yr payback · Close call
- Leland13.2-yr payback · Close call
- Clayton13-yr payback · Worth it
- Kernersville14.8-yr payback · Close call
- Asheboro13.1-yr payback · Close call
- Mint Hill14.6-yr payback · Close call
- Thomasville14.7-yr payback · Close call
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. NC electrical contractor license (NCBEEC); general contractor license for >$40k work. Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Yes - NC G.S. 160D-914/22B-20 limit HOA bans on solar (some exceptions).
- Community solar. Limited - Duke Shared Solar.
Questions about solar in North Carolina
Is solar worth it in North Carolina in 2026?
For a typical North Carolina home, solar is a close call. A 7.8 kW system costing about $21,830 after state incentives saves about $1,569 in the first year and pays back in about 14.2 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in North Carolina?
A reasonable cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives, or roughly $18,900 to $26,700 for a 7.8 kW system.
Does North Carolina have net metering?
Duke Energy's new solar customers choose between the 'Bridge Rate' (retail-style net metering, open until Jan 1, 2027 or caps fill) and Residential Solar Choice, which requires a time-of-use rate and credits monthly net exports at avoided cost (~3.4-4 cents). Both include a minimum bill.
Is there a solar tax credit in North Carolina?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. North Carolina does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.
How do I check a solar installer's license in North Carolina?
NC electrical contractor license (NCBEEC); general contractor license for >$40k work.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://www.ncbeec.org/.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include publicstaff.nc.gov, help.palmetto.com, energync.org. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.