North Carolina Solar Incentives 2026 — Expired State Credit, Strong Federal + Utility
North Carolina's state solar tax credit expired, and the federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025. Duke Energy and Dominion NC both offer competitive net metering and some programs are expanding under the Carbon Plan mandate.
$14,500+
Max potential savings
3
Total incentives
12.8¢
Avg rate / kWh
14 yrs
Solar payback
$16,000
25-yr solar savings
1%
EV fleet share
Good ☀️☀️
Solar potential
Solar Incentives in North Carolina
Duke Energy NC Net Metering
Avoided-cost credits
Duke Energy NC offers net metering at avoided cost (lower than retail). Legislative changes expected.
Eligibility: Duke Energy NC residential customers.
EV Incentives in North Carolina
Duke Energy EV Charger Rebate
Up to $500
Rebate for installation of Level 2 EV chargers at home.
Eligibility: Duke Energy NC residential customers.
Heat Pump Incentives in North Carolina
HEAR Rebate (High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate)
Up to $14,000
Point-of-sale rebate up to $8,000 for heat pumps, $1,750 for HPWHs, $4,000 for panel upgrades. Income-based.
Eligibility: Households < 150% of Area Median Income. Program administered by state energy offices.
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Compare bids from pre-screened local installers through EnergySage — the nation's largest online solar marketplace.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $16,000
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Solar Policy & Local Utilities in North Carolina
Net Metering
Net metering (Solar Choice)North Carolina offers net metering, but Duke Energy transitioned new residential customers to its 'Solar Choice' net-metering structure in 2023, which adds time-of-use pricing and a minimum bill. Export value now varies by time of day.
Source: North Carolina Utilities Commission / DSIRE
Major Utilities
- Duke Energy Carolinas
- Duke Energy Progress
- Dominion Energy North Carolina
North Carolina Solar Facts
- North Carolina is among the national leaders in installed solar capacity, much of it utility-scale. (SEIA)
- Duke Energy's state-approved Carbon Plan targets large long-term emissions reductions. (NC Utilities Commission)
Last verified: 2026-06. Always confirm current terms with your utility or at DSIRE.
Is Solar Worth It in North Carolina?
North Carolina has excellent solar resources — 4.7 peak sun hours/day and low installation costs ($2.68/W) — but Duke Energy's avoided-cost export credits and the state's low electricity rates (12.8¢/kWh) extend payback to 13–15 years. Pairing solar with battery storage to maximize self-consumption is the most effective NC strategy.
Nationally, EnergySage reports the average homeowner saves about $61,000 over 25 years by going solar — though actual savings vary by state, electricity rate, and system size.
Key Advantage
NC's installation cost ($2.68/W) is among the lowest in the Southeast, and excellent sun (4.7 hrs/day statewide, up to 5.1 in the Piedmont) means high annual production per dollar invested.
Watch Out For
Duke Energy NC's modified net metering credits solar exports at avoided cost (well below retail) rather than retail rate. This sharply reduces the value of daytime generation that isn't immediately consumed — making self-consumption critical.
Solar Cost & Savings in North Carolina (8 kW System)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross install cost | $21,440 |
| Net install cost | $21,440 |
| Annual energy savings | $1,405 |
| Simple payback period | 14 years |
| 25-year net savings | $16,000 |
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and is not included above. State and utility incentives may still apply and are listed separately.
* Estimates based on 2.68/W avg install cost, 4.7 peak sun hrs/day, and 12.8¢/kWh rate with 2.5%/yr escalation. Individual results vary.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Compare bids from pre-screened local installers through EnergySage — the nation's largest online solar marketplace.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $16,000
We may earn a referral commission through EnergySage, at no cost to you.
How to Go Solar in North Carolina: Step-by-Step
- 1
Understand Duke's avoided-cost export rate before sizing
Ask your installer to show you NC avoided-cost credit rates and design your system for high self-consumption. Oversizing in NC is less valuable than in retail-NEM states. Target 85–95% self-consumption with accurate load matching.
- 2
Assess battery storage economics
NC's below-retail export credits make battery ROI unusually strong here. A 13.5 kWh battery can store afternoon solar for evening use at full retail value. Get paired solar + storage quotes to compare combined system economics.
- 3
Check for county property tax exemptions
NC has a solar property tax exemption statute, but it is activated at the county level. Contact your county tax office to confirm exemption availability — it significantly reduces long-term ownership cost.
- 4
Get quotes from NC Clean Energy Technology Center-listed installers
Use the NC Clean Energy Technology Center directory (nccleantech.ncsu.edu) for verified NC installers. Target $2.50–2.80/W for a standard residential system.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar & Clean Energy in North Carolina
Is solar worth it in North Carolina in 2026?
Solar is viable in NC but not exceptional financially. Good sun (4.7 hrs/day) and low install costs ($2.68/W) are offset by low electricity rates (12.8¢/kWh) and Duke Energy's below-retail export credits. Payback is typically 13–15 years. Adding battery storage to maximize self-consumption can improve this by 2–3 years.
How does Duke Energy net metering work in North Carolina?
Duke Energy NC operates under 'modified net metering' where excess solar generation is credited at avoided cost — approximately $0.04–0.07/kWh, significantly below the 12.8¢ retail rate. Daytime generation you self-consume is credited at full retail value. This makes sizing for high self-consumption and adding battery storage the optimal NC strategy.
What solar incentives are available in North Carolina?
NC's state solar tax credit expired in 2015. Duke Energy NC offers modified net metering at avoided-cost rates. Duke has EV charger rebates (up to $500). The federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025. Check DSIRE.org for any current county or utility rebate programs.
Should I add battery storage in North Carolina?
Yes — more so than most states. Duke's avoided-cost export credits make any solar you export worth only $0.04–0.07/kWh vs. the 12.8¢ retail value. A battery captures afternoon surplus at retail value for evening use, improving NC solar ROI by 20–30%. Check DSIRE.org for state or utility battery incentives.
Does North Carolina have net metering in 2026?
North Carolina net metering status: Net metering (Solar Choice). North Carolina offers net metering, but Duke Energy transitioned new residential customers to its 'Solar Choice' net-metering structure in 2023, which adds time-of-use pricing and a minimum bill. Export value now varies by time of day. (Source: North Carolina Utilities Commission / DSIRE.)
Which utilities in North Carolina offer solar programs?
The main electric utilities in North Carolina are Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Dominion Energy North Carolina. Confirm current offers with your utility and check DSIRE.org for North Carolina programs.
Recommended Products for North Carolina
Duke Energy Charger Prep Credit · Raleigh-Durham tech corridor
Calculate Your North Carolina Savings
Use our free calculators with North Carolina's electricity rate (12.8¢/kWh) and gas prices ($1.46/therm) automatically applied.
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Data Sources & Methodology
Incentive data: DSIRE, U.S. DOE, IRS, and state energy offices. Electricity rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly (Feb 2026). Solar production: NREL PVWatts v8. Install costs: EnergySage National Market Report Q4 2025. Rate escalation: 2.5%/yr (20-yr EIA avg). Last updated February 2026. Always verify current amounts with the administering agency.