Central Electric Membership and solar
Central Electric Membership is an electric cooperative serving about 20,677 homes in North Carolina. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 16.2¢10% above North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $2331,434 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~22%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 12.4 yrs11 kW, cash
Export rules for Central Electric Membership customers
Net billing (reduced export credit) (North Carolina rule).
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.
Solar for a typical Central Electric Membership home
| System | 11 kW (90% of 1,434 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $29,350 |
| First-year savings | $2,426 |
| Payback | 12.4 years |
| 25-year net | $36,505 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 20,677
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Central Electric Membership and solar
Does Central Electric Membership have net metering?
Central Electric Membership follows North Carolina's rules: 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.
How much does electricity cost with Central Electric Membership?
Residential customers paid an average of 15.4¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 16.2¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,434 kWh a month, a bill of about $233.
Is solar worth it with Central Electric Membership?
For a typical customer, solar is worth it: a 11 kW system costing about $29,350 pays back in about 12.4 years, with $36,505 net over 25 years.
How many Central Electric Membership customers have solar?
Central Electric Membership did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: Central Electric Membership Corp. - (NC) (EIA ID 3250). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.