French Broad Electric Member and solar
French Broad Electric Member is an electric cooperative serving about 37,052 homes in North Carolina, Tennessee. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 17.1¢16% above North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $138807 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~20%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 12.9 yrs6.9 kW, cash
Export rules for French Broad Electric Member 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 French Broad Electric Member home
| System | 6.9 kW (101% of 807 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $19,715 |
| First-year savings | $1,552 |
| Payback | 12.9 years |
| 25-year net | $22,910 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 345
- Share of customers
- 0.9%
- Residential solar capacity
- 2 MW
- Residential customers
- 37,052
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about French Broad Electric Member and solar
Does French Broad Electric Member have net metering?
French Broad Electric Member 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 French Broad Electric Member?
Residential customers paid an average of 16.2¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 17.1¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 807 kWh a month, a bill of about $138.
Is solar worth it with French Broad Electric Member?
For a typical customer, solar is worth it: a 6.9 kW system costing about $19,715 pays back in about 12.9 years, with $22,910 net over 25 years.
How many French Broad Electric Member customers have solar?
About 345 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.9% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: French Broad Elec Member Corp (EIA ID 6784). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.