City of Gastonia and solar
City of Gastonia is a municipal utility serving about 27,524 homes in North Carolina. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 13.0¢12% below North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $117902 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~27%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 16.5 yrs6.1 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Gastonia 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 City of Gastonia home
| System | 6.1 kW (80% of 902 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $17,835 |
| First-year savings | $1,104 |
| Payback | 16.5 years |
| 25-year net | $11,129 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 27,524
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of Gastonia and solar
Does City of Gastonia have net metering?
City of Gastonia 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 City of Gastonia?
Residential customers paid an average of 12.3¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 13.0¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 902 kWh a month, a bill of about $117.
Is solar worth it with City of Gastonia?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 6.1 kW system costing about $17,835 pays back in about 16.5 years, with $11,129 net over 25 years.
How many City of Gastonia customers have solar?
City of Gastonia did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of Gastonia - (NC) (EIA ID 7027). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.