North Carolina Solar Panels

The Duke Energy PowerPair program provides a one-time installation rebate for North Carolina homeowners who pair a new solar panel system with a battery storage unit. The incentive pays $0.36 per watt-AC for solar installations up to 10 kW-AC (up to $3,600) and $400 per kWh for battery storage up to 13.5 kWh (up to $5,400), for a combined maximum rebate of $9,000. For example, a 7 kW solar system paired with a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall would earn approximately $7,920.

To be eligible, you must be a homeowner and a customer of either Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress in North Carolina. The system must be installed by a Duke Energy Trade Ally, and you must apply for a new solar installation (no additions to existing systems). Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the system’s commercial operation date. Enrollment is first-come, first-served, and capacity is limited — Duke Energy Progress has already reached capacity, and Duke Energy Carolinas has limited remaining slots.

Participants must maintain enrollment in the Residential Solar Choice Rider for 24 months and provide Duke Energy with internet-connected access to system operating data. The program is a three-year pilot, so available capacity may be exhausted at any time. Contact Duke Energy at [email protected] or visit the official program page to check current availability and apply.

Duke Energy’s EnergyWise Home (Duke Energy Progress) and Power Manager (Duke Energy Carolinas) programs are Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs that reward homeowners with qualifying battery storage systems for allowing Duke Energy to temporarily draw on their stored energy to support the grid. Enrolled customers can earn up to $92 per month, or approximately $1,100 per year, in bill credits. PowerPair customers who also enroll in EnergyWise Battery Control receive an additional monthly credit — roughly $37/month ($442/year) for a 10 kWh battery system.

To participate, you must have an approved battery storage system (eligible brands include Enphase, FranklinWH, SolarEdge, and Tesla), maintain a reliable internet connection, apply for interconnection, and agree to participate for a minimum of one year. Duke Energy will access your battery a minimum of 30 and maximum of 36 times per year. You will be notified before each event and may opt out of up to four events per year while still receiving bill credits.

This program is ongoing and available to Duke Energy residential customers in North Carolina with qualifying battery storage systems. It is an excellent way to generate ongoing savings from a battery investment, on top of any one-time rebates received through the PowerPair program.

North Carolina law provides a property tax exemption for solar energy systems, ensuring that homeowners do not pay higher property taxes as a result of the increased home value that comes with installing solar panels. For residential systems that are not used to generate income or connected to a business, the exemption is 100% of the added value — meaning the solar system adds zero taxable value to your property assessment.

For commercial properties or systems used in connection with a business or income generation, the exemption covers 80% of the system’s appraised value, so only 20% of the added value is subject to property taxation. This makes solar financially attractive for both homeowners and business owners across the state.

Residential non-business properties generally do not need to file an application to claim this exemption. However, if your property does not clearly fall under the non-business residential category, you may need to submit the AV-10 form through the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR). Check with your local county tax office to confirm how the exemption is applied in your area, as administration can vary by locality.

North Carolina offers net metering to residential solar customers, allowing them to receive credits on their utility bill for surplus electricity their solar system sends back to the grid. Dominion Energy customers in North Carolina receive traditional net metering credits. Duke Energy customers face a transitioning policy: existing solar customers who installed before July 1, 2023 (“legacy customers”) are grandfathered under the original Rider NM net metering rates until December 31, 2026, at which point they will be automatically transitioned to Rider NMB.

Customers who installed solar after July 1, 2023 must choose between two new riders: Rider NMB (Net Metering Bridge), which does not require a time-of-use rate schedule and is available on a limited, first-come basis; or Rider RSC (Residential Solar Choice), which requires a Time-of-Use with Critical Peak Pricing rate schedule. Both new riders include additional charges such as a minimum monthly bill ($22 for Duke Energy Carolinas customers; $28 for Duke Energy Progress customers), non-bypassable charges, and a grid access fee for systems over 15 kW-AC. Net exports under Rider RSC are credited at the utility’s avoided cost rate, which is lower than the retail rate. Unused credits expire annually on June 1.

For new solar customers, the transition to lower export credit rates means estimated monthly bill savings may fall from the current $80–$98 range to approximately $40–$68 under the new plans. Homeowners who have not yet gone solar should act promptly to understand which rider they qualify for. For full rate details and current program availability, visit the Duke Energy solar billing page or contact the NC Public Staff Energy Division.

The North Carolina Renewable Energy Tracking System (NC-RETS) is the state’s official platform for tracking and certifying renewable energy generation. Solar system owners can register their systems with NC-RETS to receive one digital Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity their system generates. These certificates can potentially be sold to utilities or other buyers seeking to meet North Carolina’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements.

To participate, you must first register your project with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) and then create a NC-RETS general account. Systems under 1 MW can self-report their energy production data directly into the NC-RETS system. Larger systems require a designated “Qualified Reporting Entity” to upload generation data on their behalf. NC-RETS accepts registrations from solar facilities located in all 50 states.

It is important to note that the financial value of SRECs in North Carolina may be relatively low compared to other states, because North Carolina’s RPS is not highly aggressive and there is a large national supply of RECs. Homeowners interested in monetizing their RECs should research current market prices and consult with a solar installer or REC broker before factoring SREC income into their financial projections. Visit ncrets.org for registration details and program information.

The EnergizeNC Solar for All program was awarded $156 million in EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) funding in April 2024 to expand solar energy access for low-income and disadvantaged communities across North Carolina. The program is led by the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office in collaboration with the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, NC Clean Energy Fund, and Advanced Energy. Its goal is to help eligible households achieve an average 20% reduction in their electricity bills through rooftop solar installations, with battery storage included in some cases.

The program focuses on three priority areas: rooftop solar for single-family homes, behind-the-meter solar for nonprofit- and publicly-owned multifamily affordable housing, and community solar pilots with municipal utilities and electric co-ops. Single-family homes must be in good repair to qualify, and priority is given to households that have already participated in the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program. Both homeowners and renters (with landlord approval) in low-income and disadvantaged communities may be eligible.

Important Status Update: As of August 2025, the program design process has been paused pending review of a letter of termination from the U.S. EPA, which could eliminate the $156 million in funding. Interested households should monitor the NC DEQ State Energy Office website and the EnergizeNC website at energizenc.com for updates on program resumption and application availability.

The City of Asheville provides a modest solar incentive in the form of a $50 rebate on building permit application fees for residential and commercial property owners who install solar panel systems. This local program is managed by Asheville’s Development Services Department and is designed to help offset the upfront administrative costs associated with a solar installation.

Both homeowners and business owners within Asheville city limits are eligible for this rebate when they install a qualifying solar energy system and obtain the required building permit. The rebate amount varies by technology type, with solar panels receiving the $50 permit rebate.

While the dollar amount is small relative to the total cost of a solar installation, it reflects the City of Asheville’s commitment to supporting clean energy adoption. Applicants should contact the Asheville Development Services Department directly to confirm current program availability and any updated rebate amounts before applying for their building permit.

The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loan guarantees to help farms, agricultural producers, and rural small businesses finance renewable energy systems, including solar panels and battery storage. When combined with other available incentives, eligible applicants may be able to offset 70–90% of the total cost of a solar installation. REAP grants can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, making it one of the most powerful solar incentives available for qualifying rural properties in North Carolina.

To be eligible, applicants must be an agricultural producer (farmer or rancher) or a small business located in a rural area as defined by USDA guidelines. The solar system must be installed at the agricultural or business property, and the project must meet technical and financial feasibility requirements. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and funding is awarded competitively.

North Carolina farmers and rural business owners interested in REAP should work with a USDA Rural Development state office representative and a qualified solar installer to prepare a strong application. Visit the official USDA Rural Development website for current funding availability, application deadlines, and eligibility requirements specific to North Carolina.