Greensboro, NC
Solar in Greensboro
Greensboro homeowners are increasingly turning to solar installation as North Carolina electricity prices have surged 24% since 2020. With Greensboro’s abundant sunshine and local incentives, solar power offers an accessible solution for reducing energy costs.
Solar installation in Greensboro is straightforward with the right guidance. This comprehensive guide helps Gate City residents understand their options, from equipment selection to financial benefits, making your clean energy journey simple and rewarding.
NORTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Greensboro receives 217 sunny days annually, making it an excellent location for solar energy production and significant electricity savings.
- Solar installation costs are offset by generous incentives, including the 30% federal tax credit and Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offering up to $9,000.
- Greensboro homeowners save approximately $60,000 over 25 years with solar panels, while protecting against electricity rate increases.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar installation in Greensboro with Palmetto’s exclusive calculator. Using real installation data from local neighborhoods like Summerfield, Oak Ridge, and Pleasant Garden, we provide accurate estimates tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, just transparent, reliable information to help you make informed decisions.
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Estimated Investment and Savings
Based on Palmetto Solar installations in North Carolina. Current electricity rate: 14.1¢/kWh. Assumes 100% credit of retail rate.
Greensboro Electricity Prices
Greensboro, NC residents face rising electricity costs, though they remain below the national average. Let’s examine what this means for your energy budget.
Since 2021, Greensboro’s electricity rates have climbed from 11.3¢ to 14.1¢ per kWh – a 25% increase in just three years, putting financial pressure on Gate City households.
Solar installation offers Greensboro homeowners a path to energy independence. By generating your own clean electricity, you can reduce your reliance on increasingly expensive utility power.
While electricity rates continue their upward trend, solar provides predictable energy costs for 25+ years. This long-term stability protects Greensboro families from future utility rate hikes.
Price of Energy: North Carolina vs National Average
Greensboro Area Utility Providers
Greensboro residents primarily receive electricity from Duke Energy (11.9¢/kWh) and EnergyUnited (11.7¢/kWh). In 2023, both providers offered rates below North Carolina’s average of 12.9¢/kWh and significantly under the national average of 16.0¢/kWh.
Greensboro’s electricity costs benefit from North Carolina’s nuclear power infrastructure and regional fuel accessibility. While rates remain competitive, Duke Energy has implemented gradual increases to fund grid modernization and storm resilience projects throughout the Gate City.
Even with lower-than-average utility rates, Greensboro homeowners can still achieve substantial savings with solar. The stability of solar costs provides protection against future rate increases while supporting energy independence and environmental sustainability in your community.
Greensboro Utilities Electricity Rates
North Carolina Solar Incentives
Greensboro homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through federal tax credits and solar incentives in North Carolina designed specifically for Gate City residents.
These financial benefits include property tax exemptions, Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offering up to $9,000 for solar+battery systems, and full retail net metering credits for excess energy production.
These incentives change frequently and may have limited funding. Research your options thoroughly and consider acting promptly to maximize your potential savings on Greensboro solar installation.
Save an average of
$6,891
in solar rebates in North Carolina
| INCENTIVE | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion | State tax exemption | All Residential Solar Systems are not subject to property tax. Saves ~$120/year on a $15,000 system (appraised) at 1% tax rate. | Learn More |
| Solar for All (EnergizeNC) | State program | New program for low-income households. Funded by $156M federal grant. Provides solar at little to no cost. | Learn More |
| Duke Energy: PowerPair Solar + Battery Incentive | Utility program | New pilot for Duke Energy Customers offering $3,600 for solar plus $5,400 for battery storage. Combined maximum $9,000. | Learn More |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
The North Carolina Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion offers homeowners significant tax savings on their solar investments. This state incentive excludes 80% of the appraised value of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems from property tax assessments, substantially reducing the property tax impact of installing solar panels on your home.
Eligibility for this incentive depends on how you use your solar system. If you’re using solar purely for personal use with net metering (receiving credits from your utility company), your system qualifies as non-business personal property and is completely exempt from property taxes. However, if you claim depreciation expenses on your tax returns or receive direct income from selling electricity to utilities, your system is considered business personal property and will receive the 80% exclusion rather than full exemption. This incentive has no expiration date and applies automatically when your property is assessed.
The Solar for All (EnergizeNC) program is a state initiative in North Carolina that helps homeowners, particularly those in low-income and disadvantaged communities, install rooftop solar systems. Funded by a $156 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, this program aims to make clean energy accessible while reducing utility costs for North Carolina residents.
This program specifically targets low and moderate-income households, including those in state and federally recognized Tribal lands. While specific dollar amounts of savings aren’t detailed, the program focuses on long-term affordability by combining solar installation with existing energy efficiency efforts. The EnergizeNC coalition, led by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office, will manage the program and ensure installations are safe, reliable, and provide financial savings. For updates on program deployment, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines, homeowners can visit www.energizeNC.org.
Duke Energy’s PowerPair program is a pilot incentive for North Carolina homeowners who install both solar panels and battery storage systems. This utility program offers a one-time payment of up to $9,000 to help reduce the upfront cost of installing these clean energy technologies at your home. The exact incentive amount depends on the specific type of solar array and battery system you install.
To qualify, homeowners must live in Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress service areas in North Carolina and must use a Duke Energy Trade Ally (approved installer) for their installation. Participants can choose between two enrollment options: the Residential Solar Choice rider or the Net Metering Bridge rider. Those selecting the Net Metering Bridge option must also enroll in Duke Energy’s battery control program, which allows the utility to access your stored electricity up to 36 times per year (with the ability to opt out of four events annually) in exchange for additional monthly bill credits. The program application window opens May 10, 2024, with participants initially selected through a random selection process to ensure equity in distribution of incentives.
The Net Metering Bridge Rider (NMB) is a transitional solar incentive program offered by Duke Energy in North Carolina for both Duke Energy Progress (DEP) and Duke Energy Carolina (DEC) customers. This program allows solar system owners to receive credit for excess electricity their systems produce and send back to the grid. Unlike the previous 1-to-1 net metering program that ended October 1, 2023, the NMB program credits any monthly excess generation at a rate of 3.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.
To be eligible, homeowners must submit interconnection applications starting October 1, 2023, and before the annual capacity limit is reached. Once this capacity is filled, new customers will be placed on the Residential Solar Choice (RSC) program instead. NMB customers should be aware of additional charges: DEP customers face a $28 minimum monthly charge plus $0.62/kW DC per month, while DEC customers have a $22 minimum monthly charge plus $0.28/kW DC per month. The program will continue until January 1, 2027, when all customers will transition to new rate structures. Unlike the previous net metering program where credits expired annually on May 31st, under NMB, credits are settled monthly.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with North Carolina incentives.
Get a Free QuoteGreensboro Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Greensboro’s abundant sunshine, despite seasonal variations, makes it ideal for solar energy. With proper system design, you can harness Greensboro’s 217 sunny days annually for significant energy production.
Solar Production in Greensboro by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Installations in Greensboro
Discover the solar revolution happening right in your Greensboro neighborhood! We’ve meticulously mapped every solar installation across America, creating this interactive heatmap to show how your community is embracing clean energy. Explore which Greensboro neighborhoods are leading the solar movement and see how many of your neighbors have already made the switch.
Leasing Solar Panels
Greensboro homeowners serviced by Duke Energy Carolina (DEC) or Duke Energy Progress (DEP) have access to solar leasing options through Palmetto. Solar leasing eliminates the upfront investment cost while still providing significant electricity savings from day one.
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly payment while Palmetto owns, maintains, and monitors the system. This arrangement frees you from maintenance responsibilities and repair costs, which remain Palmetto’s obligation throughout the lease term. You simply enjoy clean, renewable energy without the financial burden of purchasing a system outright.
Palmetto’s LightReach program makes solar accessible to more Greensboro residents by removing the barriers of high upfront costs and ongoing maintenance concerns. This option is particularly valuable for homeowners who want immediate energy savings without the long-term commitment of solar ownership.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes excellent sense in Greensboro, NC. With 217 sunny days annually and rising electricity rates (24% increase since 2020), Greensboro offers ideal conditions for solar energy production.
The financial benefits are compelling with the 30% federal tax credit, Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offering up to $9,000 for solar+battery systems, and property tax exemptions. Most Greensboro homeowners see a return on investment within 8-9 years and save approximately $60,000 over 25 years.
Greensboro residents have limited net metering options. Duke Energy customers can access the Net Metering Bridge Rider program, which credits excess generation at 3.4¢/kWh (not full retail rate). This program has additional monthly charges and is only available until capacity limits are reached.
Other utilities like EnergyUnited offer net billing at rates between 3.3-8.5¢/kWh. Traditional 1:1 net metering closed to new customers in October 2023, with existing customers grandfathered until January 2027.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Greensboro. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For the median Greensboro home value of $245,000, this represents a potential increase of about $10,000. This premium reflects buyers’ recognition of lower utility costs and Greensboro’s growing interest in sustainable living.
In Greensboro, a typical solar installation costs between $16,000-$22,000 after the 30% federal tax credit. This price varies based on system size (typically 7-10kW for most homes), equipment quality, and roof complexity.
Additional incentives like Duke Energy’s PowerPair program can reduce costs by up to $9,000 for solar+battery systems, making the investment even more affordable for Greensboro homeowners.
Yes, solar is financially worthwhile for most Greensboro homeowners. With electricity rates rising 24% since 2020, solar provides protection against future increases while delivering average savings of $60,000 over 25 years.
The 30% federal tax credit and North Carolina’s property tax exemption significantly reduce costs, resulting in payback periods of 8-9 years for most Greensboro installations. Additionally, solar typically adds about 4.1% to your home’s resale value.
As a national solar company with strong local presence in North Carolina, Palmetto offers Greensboro homeowners comprehensive solar solutions backed by our 2076 installations across the state since 2020.
We provide competitive financing options, an extensive installer network, and complete system monitoring through our user-friendly app. Our focus on long-term relationships and transparent customer education has made us a trusted solar partner for Greensboro residents.