Wilmington, NC

The North Carolina Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion offers homeowners significant tax savings on their solar installations. 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 depends on how you use your solar system. If you’re simply using solar to reduce your electric bill through net metering (receiving credits from your utility company), your system qualifies as non-business personal property and is completely exempt from property taxation. However, if you’re generating income from your system or claiming depreciation on your tax returns, it’s 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, making it a valuable long-term benefit for North Carolina solar homeowners.

The Solar for All (EnergizeNC) program is a $156 million state initiative funded by the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to help North Carolina homeowners, particularly those in low-income and disadvantaged communities, access affordable solar energy. Led by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office in partnership with several clean energy organizations, this program aims to deploy rooftop solar systems that will reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions across the state.

While specific financial benefits and eligibility requirements are still being developed as the program launches, EnergizeNC will focus on making solar accessible to households for whom energy costs represent a significant portion of their budget. The program will prioritize low-income households, disadvantaged communities, and residents of state and federally recognized Tribal lands. Homeowners interested in this opportunity should visit www.energizeNC.org to sign up for updates about deployment timelines, application processes, and financial details as they become available.

Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offers North Carolina homeowners a significant financial incentive for installing solar panels with battery storage systems. Participants can receive up to $9,000 as a one-time incentive, with the exact amount based on the specific solar array and battery system installed. This program is designed to make home solar plus battery systems more affordable while supporting North Carolina’s clean energy goals.

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 installation. Participants can choose between two enrollment options: the Residential Solar Choice rider (RSC) or the Net Metering Bridge rider (NMB). Those selecting the NMB option must also enroll in Duke Energy’s battery control program, which allows the utility to temporarily adjust the battery system up to 36 times per year in exchange for monthly bill credits. The initial application window opens May 10, 2024, and will remain open for four weeks, with participants selected through a random selection process to ensure equity.

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 values excess monthly production at 3.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.

To be eligible, homeowners must submit interconnection applications after October 1, 2023, but before the annual capacity limit is filled. Once this capacity is reached, new customers will be placed on the Residential Solar Choice (RSC) program, which requires time-of-use with critical peak pricing. 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. Credits under this program are settled monthly rather than annually, and the program will continue until the designated capacity is reached.