Hickory, NC Solar Panels

The Duke Energy PowerPair Program provides one-time installation incentives of up to $9,000 for eligible North Carolina homeowners who install a solar and battery storage system at the same time. Solar systems are incentivized at $0.36 per watt-AC (up to 10 kW, for a maximum of $3,600), while battery storage is incentivized at $400 per kWh (up to 13.5 kWh, for a maximum of $5,400). The rebate is applied as a credit directly to your Duke Energy bill, typically within 10 business days of passing Duke’s inspection.

To qualify, residents of Hickory must be a Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress residential customer in North Carolina, and the system must be installed by a Duke Energy Trade Ally. Solar and battery must be installed simultaneously — existing solar systems without battery storage are not eligible. Note that Duke Energy Progress has reached capacity and closed its waitlist, while Duke Energy Carolinas has limited slots remaining. Availability changes frequently, so check the official program page before signing any contracts.

This is one of the most valuable solar incentives currently available in North Carolina. Given that program capacity is nearly exhausted, homeowners in Hickory interested in this rebate should act quickly. Visit the official Duke Energy PowerPair page to verify current availability and find a certified Trade Ally installer in your area.

Under NC General Statute § 105-275(45), North Carolina offers a 100% property tax exemption for residential solar energy systems. Although solar panels typically increase a home’s market value, that added value is completely excluded from property tax assessments for homeowners. This exemption has been in effect since 2008 and is considered permanent with no expiration date, applying for the full life of your solar system.

For residential homeowners in Hickory, the exemption is automatic — no separate application is required. The NC Department of Revenue classifies residential solar systems not used for business purposes as non-business personal property, which is exempt from taxation in North Carolina. This means that as long as you own your system outright (not through a third-party lease), you are protected from any increase in your annual property tax bill due to solar.

Important note: Legislative proposals in 2025 could alter property tax abatement rules beginning July 1, 2026, potentially reducing the exempt percentage in future years. Homeowners should verify the current law with their county tax assessor or the NC Department of Revenue before installation. Commercial solar installations receive an 80% property tax exemption on the appraised value of the system.

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.13(57a), solar energy equipment purchased for installation in North Carolina is exempt from the state’s 4.75% general sales tax as well as applicable local sales taxes. This exemption covers solar panels, inverters, racking hardware, and other associated equipment that make up a solar energy system. The savings can be meaningful — on a $20,000 system, the sales tax exemption alone could save a homeowner over $900.

This exemption applies at the point of purchase, meaning the tax savings are built into the cost of your installation rather than being a rebate you claim later. Your solar installer should automatically apply this exemption when purchasing equipment for your project. If you are purchasing equipment directly, be sure to reference the applicable statute to ensure the exemption is applied correctly.

This is a straightforward, permanent incentive that reduces the upfront cost of going solar in North Carolina. Combined with other available incentives like the Duke Energy PowerPair rebate and the property tax exemption, the sales tax exemption helps make solar an even more financially attractive investment for homeowners in Hickory.

Net metering in North Carolina varies by utility. Duke Energy customers in Hickory face a more complex structure. A Net Metering Bridge (NMB) Rate is available for new customers through January 1, 2027, offering better compensation than the standard export rate, subject to capacity limits. After that deadline — or once capacity is reached — new solar customers are placed on the Residential Solar Choice (RSC) Rider, which credits excess generation at Duke’s avoided cost rate of approximately $0.034/kWh, roughly 75–80% below the retail rate. Duke customers also face a monthly minimum bill ($22 for Duke Energy Carolinas; $28 for Duke Energy Progress) and non-bypassable charges for storm recovery and cybersecurity costs.

Legacy Duke Energy customers with interconnections approved before October 1, 2023 may remain on legacy net metering with 1:1 credits for up to 15 years from their interconnection date. Given the significant difference in compensation rates, prospective solar customers in Hickory served by Duke Energy should carefully evaluate their expected export volumes and consider battery storage to maximize self-consumption. For the most current program details, visit the NC Public Staff’s net metering page or contact your utility directly.

Under the federal Direct Pay (Elective Pay) provision, tax-exempt organizations — including nonprofits, municipalities, counties, school districts, tribal governments, and other government entities — can receive a direct cash reimbursement of at least 30% of the cost of a solar energy system. Because these organizations do not pay federal income taxes, they previously could not benefit from the Investment Tax Credit. Direct Pay solves this by converting the credit into a direct payment from the IRS.

This is a transformative incentive for nonprofits and public institutions in Hickory. A nonprofit that installs a $150,000 solar system, for example, could receive a $45,000 direct payment from the federal government — with no tax liability required. The payment is made after the system is placed in service and the organization files the appropriate IRS forms (Form 3800 and related schedules) with its annual return.

Eligible entities should work with a solar developer or tax advisor experienced in Direct Pay to ensure proper documentation and compliance. Additional bonus credits may be available for systems installed in energy communities or low-income areas, potentially increasing the total benefit above 30%. Visit the IRS Elective Pay page for official guidance and eligibility requirements.

Under NC General Statute § 22B-20, North Carolina’s Solar Access Law guarantees homeowners the legal right to install solar energy systems on their property. Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and deed restrictions cannot prohibit solar installations outright. This protection ensures that even in communities with strict HOA rules, residents of Hickory retain the ability to go solar.

While HOAs cannot ban solar panels, they are permitted to impose reasonable restrictions on the placement or appearance of solar systems — for example, requiring panels to be installed on rear-facing roof sections. However, any such restrictions are legally unenforceable if they would increase the cost of the solar system by more than 10% or reduce its energy output or efficiency in a meaningful way.

This law is an important protection for North Carolina homeowners who may face pushback from their HOA when going solar. If your HOA attempts to block or unreasonably restrict your solar installation, you have legal recourse under state law. Consult the full text of the statute at the NC Legislature’s official website or speak with a real estate attorney if you encounter HOA resistance to your solar project.