Wilmington, NC Solar Panels

Duke Energy operates two ongoing virtual power plant (VPP) battery control programs: Power Manager for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and EnergyWise Home for Duke Energy Progress customers. Wilmington is served by Duke Energy Progress, so homeowners in Wilmington can enroll in EnergyWise Home. By enrolling, you allow Duke Energy to remotely discharge your home battery up to 36 times per year (minimum 30 events) to help balance the grid during peak demand periods. In return, you receive monthly bill credits estimated between $23 and $92 per month, or roughly $276 to $1,100 annually, depending on your battery size and configuration.

Eligible battery brands include Enphase, FranklinWH, SolarEdge, and Tesla. You do not need to have participated in the PowerPair rebate program to enroll — if you already own a compatible battery, you can still sign up for these ongoing credits. You must agree to participate for at least one year and maintain a reliable internet connection.

These programs are separate from and stackable with the one-time PowerPair installation rebate, making them a valuable long-term income stream for battery storage owners in Duke Energy’s service territory.

Duke Energy (Majority of NC): New Duke Energy solar customers in Wilmington are placed on the Residential Solar Choice (default) rate, which pays export credits at Duke’s avoided cost rate — approximately $0.034/kWh as of 2026, roughly 75–80% below the retail rate. This rate requires enrollment in a time-of-use schedule and includes a monthly minimum bill charge ($28 for Duke Energy Progress; $22 for Duke Energy Carolinas). Alternatively, the Net Metering Bridge Rate (Rider NMB) offers better compensation and does not require time-of-use rates, but it is only available to customers also enrolled in Duke’s EnergyWise Home battery program and is closing to new applicants on December 31, 2026.

Under NC General Statute 105-275(45), residential solar energy systems are 100% exempt from property taxes. This means that even though adding solar panels increases your home’s market value, that added value is not included in your property tax assessment — so your property tax bill will not go up because of your solar installation. The exemption has been in effect since 2008 and applies for the life of the system as long as you own it (leased systems may not qualify).

For most residential homeowners in Wilmington, no separate application is required — the exemption applies automatically. However, it is always a good idea to confirm with your local county tax assessor’s office. Commercial solar installations receive a partial exemption of up to 80% of the property’s assessed value.

Important Note: Legislative proposals in 2025 could alter property tax exemption rules starting July 1, 2026, potentially reducing the exempt percentage in future years. Verify the current law with your local assessor or the NC Department of Revenue before making installation decisions.

Businesses, farms, and commercial property owners in Wilmington can claim a 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on the total installed cost of a solar energy system. This is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal tax liability, with no cap on system size or cost. The credit is available for systems installed through December 31, 2027.

For new construction projects, there is an important safe harbor provision: if you sign a qualifying solar contract by July 4, 2026, you can lock in eligibility for the 30% credit even if the system is not installed until later (up to four years). This is especially valuable for larger commercial or agricultural projects with longer development timelines.

Additionally, businesses may be able to combine the ITC with 100% Bonus Depreciation, which allows the full cost of the solar system to be deducted in the year it is placed in service (for property acquired after January 19, 2025). Tax-exempt organizations, nonprofits, and government entities may access an equivalent benefit through the IRS Elective Pay (Direct Pay) provision. Consult a qualified tax professional to maximize these combined benefits.

The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (IRS Form 5695) provides a 30% tax credit on the installed cost of a battery storage system with a capacity of at least 3 kilowatt-hours. Importantly, this credit applies to standalone battery storage systems — meaning you can claim it even if you are not simultaneously installing new solar panels, as long as the battery is charged exclusively by a co-located renewable energy source (such as an existing rooftop solar system) in the same tax year.

This credit is available through 2032 and is not subject to the same expiration that eliminated the residential solar ITC for 2026 installations. There is no cap on the dollar amount of the credit, so larger battery systems generate proportionally larger tax savings. For example, a $10,000 battery installation would yield a $3,000 federal tax credit.

To claim the credit, file IRS Form 5695 with your federal tax return for the year the battery system is placed in service. Note that this is a non-refundable credit — it can reduce your tax liability to zero but will not generate a refund. Unused credit amounts may be carried forward to future tax years. Consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility for your specific situation.

Tesla is currently offering a $500 direct rebate for homeowners who contract for a Powerwall battery storage installation before June 30, 2026. This rebate is applied directly by Tesla and does not require going through a utility or government program. The deadline was previously March 31, 2026, but has since been extended to June 30, 2026.

This rebate can be stacked with other available incentives, such as the Duke Energy PowerPair rebate and the federal battery storage tax credit, to further reduce the out-of-pocket cost of adding a Powerwall to your home. The Powerwall is also a compatible battery for Duke Energy’s Power Manager and EnergyWise Home virtual power plant programs, which provide ongoing monthly bill credits.

To take advantage of this offer, ensure your installation contract is signed before the June 30, 2026 deadline. Contact a Tesla-certified installer or visit Tesla’s website for current terms and conditions, as promotional offers are subject to change.