City of Kinston and solar
City of Kinston is a municipal utility serving about 10,040 homes in North Carolina. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is a close call.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 13.7¢7% below North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $1501,100 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~26%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 15.2 yrs7.5 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Kinston 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 Kinston home
| System | 7.5 kW (80% of 1,100 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $21,125 |
| First-year savings | $1,423 |
| Payback | 15.2 years |
| 25-year net | $16,529 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 10,040
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of Kinston and solar
Does City of Kinston have net metering?
City of Kinston 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 Kinston?
Residential customers paid an average of 13.0¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 13.7¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,100 kWh a month, a bill of about $150.
Is solar worth it with City of Kinston?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 7.5 kW system costing about $21,125 pays back in about 15.2 years, with $16,529 net over 25 years.
How many City of Kinston customers have solar?
City of Kinston did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of Kinston - (NC) (EIA ID 10345). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.