City of New Bern and solar
City of New Bern is a municipal utility serving about 21,545 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.)
- 15.6¢5% above North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $1641,054 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~22%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 13.4 yrs8.1 kW, cash
Export rules for City of New Bern 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 New Bern home
| System | 8.1 kW (90% of 1,054 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $22,535 |
| First-year savings | $1,715 |
| Payback | 13.4 years |
| 25-year net | $23,734 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- —
- Share of customers
- —
- Residential solar capacity
- —
- Residential customers
- 21,545
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about City of New Bern and solar
Does City of New Bern have net metering?
City of New Bern 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 New Bern?
Residential customers paid an average of 14.8¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 15.6¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,054 kWh a month, a bill of about $164.
Is solar worth it with City of New Bern?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 8.1 kW system costing about $22,535 pays back in about 13.4 years, with $23,734 net over 25 years.
How many City of New Bern customers have solar?
City of New Bern did not report residential net-metered solar to EIA for 2025.
Legal name: City of New Bern - (NC) (EIA ID 13416). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.