Solar Guide

North Carolina’s Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion helps homeowners save money on their property taxes when they install solar panels. If your solar system qualifies as taxable property, you’ll receive an 80% exclusion on the appraised value of the system, meaning you only pay property taxes on 20% of what your solar installation is worth.

Whether your solar system qualifies for this tax benefit depends on how you use it. If you simply use the solar panels to power your home and participate in net metering (where you get credits from your utility company for excess power), your system is considered non-business personal property and is completely exempt from property taxes. However, if you treat your solar system as a business investment – by claiming depreciation on your tax returns or recognizing income from selling electricity – then your system becomes taxable business property, but you’ll still benefit from the 80% exclusion.

To determine your eligibility, your county assessor may request documentation such as your tax returns, equipment receipts, and utility agreements. There are no specific deadlines mentioned for this ongoing tax benefit, and it applies as long as you own the qualifying solar system.

Solar for All (EnergizeNC) is a state program that received $156 million in federal funding from the EPA to help North Carolina families access affordable solar energy. The program specifically focuses on bringing rooftop solar systems to low-income households and disadvantaged communities across the state, including tribal lands. This initiative aims to reduce energy costs for families while supporting clean energy adoption statewide.

While the announcement doesn’t specify exact dollar amounts for individual homeowners, the program is designed to make solar accessible to households where energy costs represent a significant portion of their budget. The funding will support solar installations paired with energy storage systems, and the program will work alongside existing energy efficiency efforts to maximize long-term savings. Eligibility appears to focus on low-income and moderate-income households, though specific income requirements haven’t been detailed yet.

The program is still in development, with the EnergizeNC coalition working to launch the statewide initiative. Homeowners interested in this program should visit energizeNC.org to stay updated on deployment timelines and application processes. The program will also include workforce development components and emphasize community engagement to ensure benefits reach the intended communities effectively.

Duke Energy’s PowerPair program is a pilot incentive that helps North Carolina homeowners reduce the upfront cost of installing solar panels paired with battery storage systems. This utility program offers a one-time cash incentive of up to $9,000 to make home solar plus battery installations more affordable for customers in Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress service areas.

To participate, homeowners must install both solar panels and battery storage together, use a Duke Energy-approved Trade Ally installer, and apply during the four-week random selection window that opens May 10th. Participants have two enrollment options: the residential solar choice rider (RSC) or the net metering bridge rider (NMB). Those choosing the NMB option must also enroll in Duke Energy’s Power Manager and EnergyWise Home Battery Control programs, which provide additional monthly bill credits in exchange for allowing Duke Energy to temporarily use stored battery power during peak demand periods (30-36 times per year). The exact incentive amount depends on the specific solar array and battery system installed, and not all equipment qualifies for the program.

The Net Metering Bridge Rider (NMB) is a transitional solar compensation program offered by Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolina in North Carolina. This program replaced the previous 1-to-1 net metering system and allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credits for excess electricity they send back to the grid. Under NMB, you’ll receive full retail rate credit for solar energy you use directly in your home, but any excess energy exported to the grid each month is credited at a reduced rate of 3.4 cents per kWh.

The program includes additional monthly charges that homeowners should factor into their solar savings calculations. Duke Energy Progress customers pay a $28 minimum monthly charge plus $0.62 per kW DC of solar capacity installed each month. Duke Energy Carolina customers pay a $22 minimum monthly charge plus $0.28 per kW DC per month. Credits are settled monthly with no annual rollover, meaning unused credits don’t carry forward to the next year. The NMB program has limited annual capacity, and once that capacity is filled, new solar customers will need to enroll in the Residential Solar Choice program, which requires time-of-use billing with critical peak pricing.