Solar in North Carolina
Here's what generally applies to solar in North Carolina. This page is educational: Power Done Better installs in Southwest Florida, so for North Carolina we can point you toward what applies and, where we can, refer you to a trusted local pro.
What you get for exported power
Policy type: Net billing (below-retail export credit).
New Duke customers default to Residential Solar Choice — exports at avoided cost (~$0.034/kWh, ~75–80% below retail), TOU + monthly minimum bill ($28 Duke Progress / $22 Duke Carolinas). The favorable Net Metering Bridge Rate (Rider NMB) closes to new applicants 2026-12-31 (requires EnergyWise battery enrollment; 15-yr guarantee if approved before deadline).
- Typical export credit
- ~$0.034/kWh (avoided cost)
- Varies by utility
- No
Programs on the table
Program terms and budgets change — treat these as a starting point and confirm current status.
Net Metering Bridge Rate (Rider NMB)
closingMore favorable interim net-metering terms; requires EnergyWise battery enrollment; 15-yr guarantee if approved before the deadline.
- Administered by: Duke Energy
- Ends: 2026-12-31
Solar Property Tax Exemption (NC Gen. Stat. §105-275(45))
activeResidential solar 100% exempt from property tax.
- Amount: 100% of added value
Credits & exemptions
State solar tax credit
NoNo current residential state income tax credit.
Property tax exemption
YesResidential solar 100% exempt under NC Gen. Stat. §105-275(45).
Sales tax exemption
NoNo broad statewide residential solar sales tax exemption.
SREC market
ExistsMarket exists but spot value often near $0; many homeowners assign SRECs to Duke via PowerPair/net-metering deals. (~$0 (spot value often near zero for homeowners))
Who most homeowners have here
Your exact terms depend on your utility — this is the shortlist most visitors fall under.
- Duke Energy Carolinas
- Duke Energy Progress
What this means for you
North Carolina is on the 'solar coaster' — the good Bridge Rate closes 12/31/2026, after which Duke pays roughly 3.4¢/kWh for exports (well below retail) with a monthly minimum bill. Residential solar is 100% property-tax exempt. SREC value is effectively zero for homeowners.
Read this the right way
Rules, rates, and incentives change and vary by utility — confirm current terms with your utility and a licensed installer before deciding. Any figures shown here are cited educational estimates, not a quote, and not a guarantee of savings or eligibility. Nationwide in 2026: the federal residential solar tax credit (IRC Section 25D, the 30% ITC) expired 12/31/2025, so a cash or loan purchase placed in service in 2026 gets $0 federal residential credit — there is no 2026 residential credit. Lease/PPA (third-party-owned) systems may still access the business credit (Section 48E) through 2027. This is general information, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Sources are listed below, last verified 2026-08-17.
Sources
- Southern Energy Mgmt — Duke Net Metering 2026 — Southern Energy Management (secondary, verified 2026-08-17)
- NC Solar Now — Bridge Rate deadline — NC Solar Now (secondary, verified 2026-08-17)
- DSIRE — North Carolina programs — DSIRE (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) (primary, verified 2026-08-17)
We install in Southwest Florida
We don't install in North Carolina, so we won't pretend to be your local expert. If you're in North Carolina, use the sources on this page to check your utility and DSIRE — and if you want, we can point you toward a trusted local pro.