North Carolina
North Carolina Solar Incentives 2026 — Duke Energy Net Metering
North Carolina's state solar tax credit expired in 2015, and the federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025. Duke Energy credits excess generation at avoided cost, below the retail rate, so sizing for self-consumption matters.
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Incentive categories
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Program entries
14.74¢
Avg rate / kWh
19.7 yrs
Simple solar payback
$19,913
25-yr net solar savings
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 Charger Prep Credit
Up to $1,133
One-time credit toward electrical upgrades needed to install a Level 2 or faster EV charger at home; customers can use their own contractor or a Duke Energy-approved one.
Eligibility: Duke Energy North Carolina residential customers installing a Level 2 charger.
Heat Pump Incentives in North Carolina
Federal HEAR Framework (State Availability Varies)
Statutory household cap up to $14,000
Federal law sets measure and household caps, but consumers can use rebates only where the state or territory program is active and funded. A listed cap is not an available award.
Eligibility: Income, equipment, project, state-program, and funding rules apply; confirm availability with the administering state program before purchase.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $19,913
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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 — but Duke Energy's avoided-cost export credits and the state's low electricity rates (14.74¢/kWh) extend modeled payback to about 19.7 years. Pairing solar with battery storage to maximize self-consumption is the most effective NC strategy.
Nationally, EnergySage reports the average U.S. homeowner saves about $60,500 over 25 years by going solar, without the expired federal credit (page updated June 2026). Actual savings vary by state, electricity rate, export rules, and system size.
Key Advantage
Good sun (4.7 hrs/day statewide, up to 5.1 in the Piedmont) means high annual production per kW installed.
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 | $31,840 |
| Net install cost | $31,840 |
| Annual energy savings | $1,618 |
| Simple payback period | 19.7 years |
| 25-year net savings | $19,913 |
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) is not available for expenditures after Dec 31, 2025 and is not included above. State and utility incentives may still apply and are listed separately.
* Planning example for an 8 kW system: $3.98/W installed (LBNL 2024 national median; no state-specific sample), 4.7 peak sun hrs/day, one 20% system derate, 0.5%/yr panel degradation from year two, and 14.74¢/kWh escalating 2.5%/yr. North Carolina is a net-billing state: exported solar is credited below the retail rate (Duke Energy North Carolina residential net metering (NCUC): excess generation credited at avoided cost). No published average export rate or self-consumption share is on file, so this table still assumes every kWh offsets retail-rate electricity and therefore overstates savings for systems that export heavily. Size to your own consumption or add storage. Tax credits require eligibility and sufficient tax liability.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $19,913
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
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. Aim for high 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. Compare itemized $/W pricing across quotes; LBNL's 2024 national median of about $3.98/W is a useful reference.
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) is offset by low electricity rates (14.74¢/kWh) and Duke Energy's below-retail export credits. Modeled payback is about 19.7 years. Adding battery storage to maximize self-consumption improves on that.
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 — well below the 14.74¢/kWh 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 solar you export worth far less than the 14.74¢/kWh retail value. A battery lets you use afternoon surplus in the evening instead of exporting it. 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
Product examples are provided for comparison only. Confirm electrical compatibility, installer requirements, warranty terms, and any current utility incentive before purchase.
Calculate Your North Carolina Savings
The Solar ROI link preselects North Carolina's planning inputs, including the listed electricity rate (14.74¢/kWh). Other tools open with their own defaults; review every input before calculating.
Browse Other States
Data Sources & Methodology
Incentive data: DSIRE, U.S. DOE Home Energy Rebates, IRS residential credit guidance, and linked state program pages. Electricity rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (June 2026). Solar resource: NREL PVWatts reference with state-level planning inputs, not an address-specific API result. Installed price: LBNL Tracking the Sun (Residential systems installed in 2024), a median rather than a quote. The 2.5% annual rate change is a model assumption, not a forecast. Sources and methodology reviewed 2026-09-06. Always verify current amounts with the administering agency and utility.