City of Lumberton and solar
City of Lumberton is a municipal utility serving about 9,938 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.)
- 14.6¢1% below North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $120824 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~24%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 14.9 yrs6.3 kW, cash
Export rules for City of Lumberton 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 Lumberton home
| System | 6.3 kW (90% of 824 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $18,305 |
| First-year savings | $1,254 |
| Payback | 14.9 years |
| 25-year net | $15,207 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 9,938
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of Lumberton and solar
Does City of Lumberton have net metering?
City of Lumberton 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 Lumberton?
Residential customers paid an average of 13.9¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 14.6¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 824 kWh a month, a bill of about $120.
Is solar worth it with City of Lumberton?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 6.3 kW system costing about $18,305 pays back in about 14.9 years, with $15,207 net over 25 years.
How many City of Lumberton customers have solar?
City of Lumberton did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of Lumberton - (NC) (EIA ID 11318). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.