Solar SME North Carolina
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How much can you save on electric bills with solar in North Carolina?
The average electric rate in North Carolina is 13 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh). This means that the average energy user in North Carolina uses 1,574.00 kWh each month and 18,888 kWh annually. On average, a North Carolina resident spends $210 per month on electricity. This adds up to $2,520 every year. Solar saves you money by reducing or eliminating your monthly electric bill. Solar helps you save money by lowering or eliminating your monthly electric costs. In North Carolina, installing a solar system will result in a 13.02-year payback period. Based on the intensity and duration of sunshine hours in North Carolina, the average power consumer will require a 13.2-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system to offset 100% of their yearly electricity consumption.
25-year Savings
$62,880
10 Years
84%
Solar Financing Options in North Carolina by Solar SME
Solar installation is a worthy investment; however, it may cost you higher to own your solar panel system. If you are unable to own due to any reason, like you are a renter or do not have enough cash in hand, some flexible solar financing options are available for you:
The best option for maximizing the benefits of a solar energy system is ownership. When you own, you are eligible for all the local and federal solar incentives to offset your solar installation cost. Also, there is no loan paperwork, no interest calculations, no increasing lease payments, and no monthly payments after installation. Additionally, your home value will also go up by 7%-14%.
Solar loans are the best option for you if you want to take full advantage of a solar PV system but do not have enough investment to buy one. With a solar loan program, you will make fixed monthly payments for 5-25 years while benefiting from instant energy savings. It provides cost predictability, unlike utility bills or lease escalators, which rise over time. The best part is that the lending rate is down to 4.0% - 4.25%. Furthermore, you can avail all solar incentives and solar tax credit in North Carolina with loan financing. A local solar installation company, like Solar SME, can help you to go solar with 0% APR option.
As the 30% tax credit is expiring, solar leases are emerging as the best alternative to take advantage of solar power. Third-party financing requires you to pay a fixed monthly lease payment or per-kWh rate (PPA) for the solar energy produced by the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this rate is 10% to 30% lower than your electric bills. As you are not the owner, the federal tax credit and other solar incentives' expiry will not impact your savings. However, it is vital to choose your solar leasing plans wisely. Solar SME, the top solar provider in Virginia, offers the best solar lease options for making your solar journey affordable.
Best Residential Solar Incentives and Rebates in North Carolina
Homeowners can qualify for a variety of solar energy incentives in North Carolina that help reduce the total cost of a solar panel system or boost savings. The top NC solar incentives include:
01- Residential Clean Energy Credit
The Residential Clean Energy Credit, or federal investment tax credit (ITC), can reduce the cost of a solar panel installation by 30%. This incentive covers the complete system, including equipment, labor, permits, and sales tax. However, on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed legislation that totally eliminated the residential solar tax credit, effective January 1, 2026, nearly a decade before its original expiration date. When you file your taxes, you can claim this incentive as a credit towards your federal tax bill. Just keep in mind that to qualify for the ITC, you need to purchase your system either with cash or a solar loan–if you lease your system, you won’t be eligible.
02- PowerPair Rebate Program
If you’re a Duke Energy customer, it’s worth considering a solar-plus-battery system due to the PowerPair program. If you combine your solar panel system with a battery under this program, you can receive a one-time rebate of up to $9,000, which includes up to $3,600 for the solar panels and $5,400 for the battery. If your solar panel system’s inverter is rated 10 kW or less, you’ll earn $0.36 per watt. If your battery has a capacity of 13.5 kWh or less, you will earn $400/kWh. Learn more about the North Carolina PowerPair rebate!
03- PowerPair + EnergyWise Home Program
Duke Energy EnergyWise home is a virtual power plant (VPP) program that allows you to earn up to $92 a month (or $1,100 per year) in energy credits. To be eligible for this program, you must apply for interconnection and agree to participate for a minimum of one year. In addition, you must maintain a stable internet connection and install an appropriate battery. Solar batteries from leading manufacturers, including Enphase, FranklinWH, SolarEdge, and Tesla, are eligible. The amount of bill credits you receive is determined by factors including the type and size of battery you install, as well as the amount of electricity stored in your battery when Duke Energy accesses it.
04- North Carolina Solar Property Tax Exemption
Is net metering available in North Carolina?
One of the major solar panel installation advantages in North Carolina is net metering. If Dominion Energy is your utility provider, and you connect your solar panel system to the grid, you can earn with net energy metering. When you send extra electricity from your solar panels to the grid, you receive credits, which you can utilize to lower energy costs when using grid power. Dominion Energy’s net metering requirements include a $200 fee for systems below 20 kW and a $750 fee for systems between 20 kW and 100 kW. Also, Blue Ridge and Duke Energy also offer plans for excess power generation.
Commercial Solar Installation in North Carolina
Commercial solar installation in North Carolina is an effective way for businesses to combat all of the power challenges. Businesses can generate power using free and unlimited sunlight via commercial solar panels. Furthermore, using solar electricity combined with a reliable battery backup system like Tesla Powerwall 3 eliminates power disruptions. Hence, enabling smooth workflow and increased operational resiliency. Like residential solar installation, you are also eligible for a 30% federal tax credit for commercial solar systems. Additionally, High Performance Building Program, MACRS Depreciation, and PACE Financing options are available for business solar installation.
Energy Storage Incentives in North Carolina
If you have a net billing plan in North Carolina, adding battery storage to your solar panel system is an excellent alternative. You can store excess solar energy and use it later when electricity costs are higher, rather than selling it to the grid at a reduced rate. In addition to keeping your lights on during an outage, a battery could help you save money on energy costs.
To lower the cost of energy storage, North Carolina also has some best battery incentive programs. Like, you can receive a rebate of up to $9,000 for a solar-plus-battery system under Duke Energy’s PowerPair program. By signing up for the PowerPair + Power Manager/EnergyWise program, you give Duke Energy authority over your battery 30-36 times a year. In return, you will receive a monthly bill credit based on the continuous power rating of your battery, in addition to the PowerPair rebates. Additionally, the 30% federal tax credit is available for batteries larger than 3 kWh until December 31, 2025.
Why is it Worth it to Switch to Solar in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, going solar is worth the investment! The solar incentives and rebate programs in NC significantly lower the cost of installing solar panels. Also, the utilities in the state provide complete retail net metering, which results in significant energy bill savings. Moreover, the solar payback period in North Carolina is around 10 years. This implies that you will receive free, clean electricity for 15 years. Top reasons to switch to solar in NC include:
Low Electric
Bills
Maximum Grid Independence
Flexible Financing Options
Increased Home Value
Earn Energy Credits/SREC Programs
The best way to determine how to maximize your solar savings in North Carolina is to consult with a local solar installer. Solar companies near you can guide you with the best solar solutions and incentives in your area and can help you to get the most out of your solar investment.
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Our Customers are Getting Up to 90% Lower Electric Bills with
Solar SME Tailored
Solar Solutions
Solar SME provides its valuable clients with an exceptional solar experience by designing solutions according to its customers’ unique needs. Also, we hold a positive image in solar marketplaces like Energysage. Moreover, we are accredited with BBB, and our happy customers share their solar experience and highly recommend Solar SME for the best solar services in NC.
City: Charlotte, NC
System Size: 5.5 kW
Annual Savings: ~$900–$1,150 per year
City: Raleigh, NC
System Size: 6.8 kW
Annual Savings: ~$1,150–$1,350 per year
City: Greensboro, NC
System Size: 7.5 kW
Annual Savings: ~$1,300–$1,550 per year
City: Durham, NC
System Size: 8 kW
Annual Savings: ~$1,450–$1,700 per year
City: Fayetteville, NC
System Size: 9 kW
Annual Savings: ~$1,700–$1,950 per year
City: Wilmington, NC
System Size: 10 kW
Annual Savings: ~$2,000–$2,300 per year
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina offers several solar incentives, including Duke Energy’s PowerPair program, which provides up to $9,000 for solar with battery storage, and the Solar Property Tax Exemption, which excludes 80% of the value of solar installations from property taxes.
Yes, solar panels are likely worth it for homeowners and businesses in North Carolina. The state has abundant sunlight, so it is a favorable location for solar energy generation. Also, North Carolina solar incentives, such as net metering and solar property tax exemptions, make solar panels a cost-effective and environmentally friendly investment.
North Carolina no longer offers a state solar tax credit, but residents can still take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit. The FTC provides a 30% tax credit on solar installation costs.
The state also offers an 80% Solar Property Tax Exemption. This means most of the value added by solar panels is exempt from property taxes, making it a valuable North Carolina solar incentive.
While there are North Carolina solar incentives for homeowners and businesses, truly free solar panels aren’t available. Some companies advertise free solar panels, but these usually involve solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) programs. With these, participants pay a monthly lease fee instead of upfront costs.