New River Light & Power and solar
New River Light & Power is a state-owned utility serving about 7,318 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.)
- 12.7¢14% below North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $93735 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~28%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 17.6 yrs5 kW, cash
Export rules for New River Light & Power 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 New River Light & Power home
| System | 5 kW (80% of 735 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $15,250 |
| First-year savings | $883 |
| Payback | 17.6 years |
| 25-year net | $7,825 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 14
- Share of customers
- 0.2%
- Residential solar capacity
- 0 MW
- Residential customers
- 7,318
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about New River Light & Power and solar
Does New River Light & Power have net metering?
New River Light & Power 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 New River Light & Power?
Residential customers paid an average of 12.1¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 12.7¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 735 kWh a month, a bill of about $93.
Is solar worth it with New River Light & Power?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5 kW system costing about $15,250 pays back in about 17.6 years, with $7,825 net over 25 years.
How many New River Light & Power customers have solar?
About 14 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.2% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: New River Light & Power Co (EIA ID 13482). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.