Raleigh, NC Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Raleigh
Planning solar panel installation in Raleigh starts with your home’s roof, shade, and electricity use—but the utility serving your address matters, too. Many Raleigh homes are served by Duke Energy Progress, though service areas vary, and utility rules can affect how a solar system is planned and connected.
Learn what to consider locally, then explore our guide to home solar panels for a clear overview of how rooftop solar works.
NORTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Raleigh, NC?
Explore estimated solar installation costs in Raleigh using real Palmetto installation data from across the area, including Cary, Apex, and Wake Forest. See how local system prices can help you understand what solar may cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Solar fit depends on your home and utility—roof shade, electricity use, and local utility rules shape system design and value.
- Raleigh solar costs and savings vary—the article’s medium-home estimate is $24,802 upfront, with modeled 25-year savings around $63,935.
- Solar produces energy year-round in Raleigh, but seasonal weather affects output, and incentives or export credits depend on your utility and eligibility.
Raleigh Electricity Prices
Electricity rates shape the long-term value of solar panel installation in Raleigh, but statewide trends offer useful context.
North Carolina’s average electricity price rose from 11.3¢ per kilowatt-hour in 2021 to 14.1¢ in 2024. The U.S. average increased from 13.7¢ to 16.5¢ over the same period.
These figures are statewide, not Raleigh-specific: your actual rate depends on your utility and plan. Rooftop solar can reduce how much electricity you need to buy from the grid, though results vary by home and system.
For homeowners weighing solar panel installation in Raleigh, producing electricity at home may help manage exposure to future rate increases over time. System costs, energy use, utility rules, and available sunlight all affect its long-term value.
Price of Energy: North Carolina vs National Average
Raleigh Area Utility Providers
In Raleigh, Duke Energy Progress is a local electricity provider. Its 2023 average rate was 14.2¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh); the latest utility figures available are from 2023, not 2024.
That rate was above North Carolina’s 2023 average of 12.90¢/kWh, but below the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures show how Duke Energy Progress compares; they do not explain why rates differ.
For Raleigh households, solar can provide some electricity from a home system and may reduce reliance on utility power. Its value depends on household energy use and system details, so these rates alone don’t predict savings.
Raleigh Utilities Electricity Rates
North Carolina Solar Incentives
Raleigh homeowners may find state and utility incentives that help offset solar costs. Explore the solar incentives in North Carolina listed below.
Eligible Duke Energy customers may receive recurring bill credits for battery control during grid events. North Carolina excludes 80% of a qualifying solar-electric system’s appraised value from property taxes, while utility-specific net-metering or export-credit terms may credit excess electricity.
Availability and value depend on eligibility, the battery program, and the serving utility, so terms can vary by Raleigh-area address.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Battery Control monthly bill credits | Battery Storage Bill Credit | Eligible Duke Energy customers who allow the utility to manage their home battery during grid events may receive a recurring bill credit whose amount depends on the program and battery. | Learn More |
| North Carolina solar-electric property-tax exclusion | Property Tax Exclusion | North Carolina excludes 80% of the appraised value of a qualifying solar energy electric system from the property-tax base. | Learn More |
| North Carolina utility net metering and export-credit tariffs | Net Metering / Net Billing | Eligible interconnected solar customers may reduce electricity bills through self-consumption and utility credits for excess electricity, with rates and tariff terms depending on the serving utility. | Learn More |
Duke Energy offers a battery-control option through its Power Manager or EnergyWise Home programs. Participants allow Duke to adjust battery operation during grid events and may receive a monthly bill credit; the credit is not a single statewide amount and depends on the applicable program, tariff, and battery characteristics.
Dispatch and opt-out terms apply. Duke’s program announcement describes dispatch events during the year, but customers should confirm current availability, credit amounts, and control requirements for their service territory and battery before enrolling. This bill credit is separate from PowerPair’s one-time solar-and-battery incentive.
State law excludes 80% of the appraised value of a qualifying solar energy electric system from local property taxation. This reduces the value included in the property-tax assessment; it is not a cash rebate or income-tax credit.
The statutory definition covers equipment used directly and exclusively to convert solar energy to electricity. NCDOR provides the AV-10 application for property-tax exemption or exclusion, which homeowners generally submit to their county assessor. The statute does not clearly resolve whether a standalone battery qualifies, so ask the county assessor how it will treat the battery and what filing deadlines apply.
Net metering and net-billing tariffs can provide bill value for electricity a customer’s solar system exports, but they are billing policies rather than upfront rebates. For Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress customers on newer residential tariffs, monthly excess exports are generally credited at the utility’s Net Excess Energy Credit rate, based on avoided cost rather than the full retail rate; minimum bills and other non-bypassable charges may still apply. Rider RSC requires a time-of-use rate with critical-peak pricing, while Rider NMB has limited annual availability. Existing legacy Rider NM customers may remain on it through December 31, 2026, before transition to NMB under the described terms.
Tariffs, export rates, fees, and interconnection requirements vary by utility. Electric cooperatives and municipal utilities set their own terms, so homeowners served by those utilities should ask directly about export compensation and system limits. Obtain utility interconnection approval before operating a grid-connected system.
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 QuoteRaleigh 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.
Raleigh’s long summer days boost production, while clouds, humidity, and shorter winter days can reduce it. Still, local weather anecdotes don’t rule out solar; a well-designed system can perform year-round.
Solar Production in Raleigh 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 Panel Systems in Raleigh
We’ve organized solar installation data from across the United States to create this interactive map of Raleigh. Select a hexagon to see how many solar installations are nearby and explore neighborhoods and communities where your neighbors have made the switch to solar.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Raleigh
Verify the license
North Carolina requires an electrical-contractor license for residential solar photovoltaic installations, regardless of project value. The licensing agency is the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC). Ask each installer for the license number of the electrical contractor responsible for your project, then confirm it with NCBEEC; the state law describing the requirement is available here. A separate general-contractor license may also apply to qualifying general-construction work. The threshold is generally $40,000 or more, subject to exceptions and project scope.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold a relevant NABCEP certification, and who specifically holds it. You can learn about NABCEP certifications at NABCEP. Also ask for current manufacturer certifications for the proposed panels and inverters, and what those certifications cover. Certifications can help you assess relevant training or product familiarity, but they are not a substitute for North Carolina’s required electrical-contractor license.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written proposals with the same details so you can compare scope as well as price. Check that each quote lists:
- System size in kilowatts (kW) and total price per watt.
- Panel and inverter brands and models, plus estimated annual production in kilowatt-hours (kWh/year) and the assumptions behind it.
- Separate warranty terms for panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations.
- Who applies for permits, schedules inspections, and handles utility interconnection.
- Total cost or monthly payment, including any escalator and when it can change.
Ask each installer to explain differences in production estimates or exclusions, rather than comparing only the headline price.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
Local inspection departments handle building and electrical permit applications and inspections. Before the system connects, you or the installer must apply to your serving electric utility and receive its review and approval; requirements vary by system size and location. Raleigh-area customers may be served by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Duke Energy Progress – (NC); EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp; or Virginia Electric & Power Co. Confirm your serving utility and its requirements. Details on local inspections are here. North Carolina law voids certain restrictions that prohibit or effectively prohibit residential solar collectors, but allows reasonable location or screening rules that do not prevent reasonable use. It is not an unconditional right to put panels anywhere on a roof. Read the rule and discuss placement with your HOA and installer; see N.C. Gen. Stat. § 22B-20.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day or claims that you cannot take time to compare proposals.
- An installer who cannot identify the NC-licensed electrical contractor responsible for the work, or out-of-state crews with unclear local responsibility.
- Vague production estimates, unusually large upfront deposits, or unclear payment terms.
- Promises of federal homeowner tax credits for purchases in 2026; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Raleigh, your utility determines which financing options may be available. Palmetto lists a solar lease for Duke Energy Progress (DEP) customers; a power purchase agreement (PPA) is not listed as available. North Carolina’s Duke Energy Carolina customers also have a lease option, while several cooperatives prohibit third-party ownership. Check your utility bill, since service areas vary.
A lease usually has a set monthly payment. With a PPA, you pay per kilowatt-hour produced, so payments can vary by season. Learn more about buying versus leasing solar.
Compared with paying cash, a lease can avoid a large upfront cost and, under the agreement, the system owner handles maintenance. Cash buyers own the equipment and arrange upkeep themselves. Explore Palmetto LightReach for details and review contract terms.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the rules depend on your Raleigh-area utility. Many Raleigh homes are served by Duke Energy Progress (DEP), which offers monthly net metering through its Net Metering Bridge Rider to eligible applicants while annual capacity remains. Excess monthly production is credited at 3.4¢ per kWh.
DEP’s former 1-to-1 retail-rate net metering closed to new customers on October 1, 2023; existing customers are grandfathered until January 1, 2027. Other providers may use different export-credit plans, so check the utility listed on your bill.
Yes, purchased or otherwise homeowner-owned solar panels may increase a Raleigh home’s value. Zillow’s study found that U.S. homes with solar sold for about 4.1% more than comparable homes. That is not a guaranteed premium for every Raleigh property; value can depend on the system, energy savings, and utility terms.
This potential increase applies to owned systems, not leased or other third-party-owned (TPO) systems. With a lease, a buyer may need to assume the agreement, which can affect resale differently.
In Raleigh, homeowners can go solar with a LightReach lease for no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment. The calculator estimates $77–$135 per month by home size, or $103 per month for a medium home.
A cash purchase is another option: the calculator estimates $24,802 for a medium system, with smaller and larger systems estimated at $19,211–$31,780. The federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 law change. See the calculator above for estimates; actual costs vary by home.
With LightReach, Palmetto owns and installs the solar system, and you pay a set monthly lease payment. For a typical 8.92 kW system in Raleigh, the estimate is about $103 per month, based on North Carolina’s 1,320 kWh/kW annual production ratio and a $0.105/kWh rate. There is no upfront cost.
The payment covers the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and comprehensive protection, including a 90% Production Guarantee. Because the lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, savings can start from day one, though your utility may still charge for electricity or fees.
Yes. Solar panels work in Raleigh, NC, which averages about 5.1 peak sun hours per day statewide. They still generate electricity on cloudy days because daylight passes through clouds, though output is lower than in direct sun.
Production changes with the seasons: Raleigh’s long summer days generally bring more power, while shorter winter days and cloudy weather reduce it. Panels can produce year-round, but the amount varies by weather, roof direction, and shade.
The best solar company in Raleigh depends on your roof, energy use, utility rules, and preferred payment option. Palmetto Solar is a national installer with a local focus, and we’ve completed 2,370 installations in North Carolina since 2020.
When comparing solar installation providers, review system design, installation experience, financing terms, warranties, and how the company handles utility interconnection. Our financing options and installation network are available to Raleigh homeowners, but a home-specific assessment helps determine whether a system fits.
Solar panels in Raleigh are low maintenance. Rain often rinses away light dust, though pollen, leaves, or other debris may occasionally need attention. Check system production and arrange an inspection if output drops unexpectedly or panels are damaged.
With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles maintenance, monitoring, and repairs at no extra cost. The plan also includes a 90% Production Guarantee.