Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) and solar
Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) is an electric cooperative serving about 22,887 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.)
- 14.0¢5% below North Carolina average
- Typical bill
- $1821,297 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~25%Net billing (reduced export credit)
- Typical payback
- 14.5 yrs8.8 kW, cash
Export rules for Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) 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 Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) home
| System | 8.8 kW (80% of 1,297 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $24,180 |
| First-year savings | $1,713 |
| Payback | 14.5 years |
| 25-year net | $21,358 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 150
- Share of customers
- 0.7%
- Residential solar capacity
- 1 MW
- Residential customers
- 22,887
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) and solar
Does Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) have net metering?
Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) 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 Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC)?
Residential customers paid an average of 13.3¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 14.0¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,297 kWh a month, a bill of about $182.
Is solar worth it with Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC)?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 8.8 kW system costing about $24,180 pays back in about 14.5 years, with $21,358 net over 25 years.
How many Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) customers have solar?
About 150 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.7% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Tri-County Elec Member Corp (NC) (EIA ID 18957). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.