North Carolina solar panels: The complete guide in 2024
Data updated Dec 10, 2024
Interested in going solar? You'll need to install a 12.9 kW solar panel system to cover the average electric bill in North Carolina, which will cost you about $20,460 after the federal tax credit.
Cost for an average system in North Carolina
As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal investment tax credit (ITC).
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- Overview
- Solar cost
- Incentives
- Electricity cost
- Companies
Going solar in North Carolina
Looking to power your home with clean, sustainable energy that’ll boost your energy independence? You can save money while reducing your carbon footprint and your reliance on the utility electric grid when you go solar in North Carolina.
Factor in the federal solar tax credit, and Tar Heels can cut the cost of solar by thousands of dollars, speeding up your payback period and increasing the value of your investment.
Here's our guide to going solar in North Carolina.
Cost
How much do solar panels cost in North Carolina?
Solar panels will save you a lot of money over time, but the upfront costs aren't cheap. The average North Carolina homeowner needs a 12.9 kW solar panel system to cover their electricity needs, which comes out to $29,228 before incentives. Prices range from $24,844 to $33,612, but after the federal tax credit, that drops by 30%.
While this may sound high, it will pay off in North Carolina. That's why over 34,000 North Carolina homeowners have used EnergySage to receive and compare quotes for solar installations. You can expect to earn back your initial solar investment through electricity savings in about 10.02 years, while most systems last at least 25 years. You'll often see this number referenced as your solar payback period.
There are a few ways to finance your solar panel system so you don't have to provide all that money upfront.
Cash purchase: You'll own the system and pay for it upfront. This provides the best long-term savings.
Solar loan: Allows you to retain ownership of your system, while owing little to no money upfront. Solar loans aren't all created equal: If you have access to subsidized clean energy loans through local incentive programs, that's usually your best bet. A home equity loan or a personal loan are often your next best options – private solar loans typically come with higher interest rates or upfront fees.
Solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA): A third-party company owns your system and either leases you the solar panels (solar lease) or allows you to purchase the electricity they generate (PPA). These generally provide the lowest savings and generate the most negative press about solar. If you choose this financing option, read the fine print: You can get trapped in them for longer than you'd like.
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Incentives
What are the best solar rebates and incentives in North Carolina?
Incentives help bring solar's price tag down considerably in North Carolina. Here are the major ones to know about:
Incentive | Average savings in North Carolina | Description |
|---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, formerly the federal investment tax credit (ITC) | $8,768 | Lowers your solar panel system's cost by 30% |
PowerPair rebates | $9,000 | For Duke Energy customers: if your solar panel system's inverter rating is below 10 kW and you pair it with a battery up to 13.5 kWh in size, you could receive a one-time rebate of up to $0.36/W for solar and up to $400/kWh for storage. |
North Carolina solar property tax exemption | 0.77% of your system’s cost, annually on average | If you use solar energy as a source of power, you won't ever need to pay a tax on the value your solar panels add to your property |
Is net metering available in North Carolina?
In some states, you'll earn bill credits from your utility company when your solar panel system generates excess electricity and sends it to the grid. This incentive is known as net metering—basically a solar buyback program—and makes it so you will owe very little, or even nothing, on your electric bills with solar panels.
North Carolina has some solid net metering programs, but your eligibility depends on your utility. Dominion Energy offers net metering, but Duke Energy no longer accepts new customers.
Get the details on net metering in North Carolina or see program specifics below:
Equipment
Equipment quality
Each year, solar panels get more and more efficient—that is, they produce more power per square foot. As of 2024, the most popular solar panels can produce about 400 watts of electricity when they’re in full sunlight. If you want to make the most of your roof’s solar potential, get panels with at least that much power output.
You should also make sure to select a solar inverter setup that makes sense for your roof’s layout.
And if you want or need a solar battery, be sure to pick one that can integrate cleanly with that inverter.
Premium equipment can come with a high price tag, but it will often save you more money in the long run. The best equipment tends to have the best warranty terms, often guaranteed to 25 years (sometimes even 40!), so you’re covered in case you need repairs or replacements. The highest-quality panels also degrade more slowly, so they’ll maintain more of their power output further into the future.
Companies
Who are the best solar installers in North Carolina?
We pre-screen all of the solar companies on EnergySage to ensure they'll provide you with a high-quality installation. We then rate them based on their results, reputation, and responsiveness. Here are the highest-rated EnergySage installers in North Carolina:
Ready to start looking for a solar installer?
Here are some of the most popular ones near you:
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resources
Top solar resources for North Carolina
- North Carolina Solar Loan Providers
Search through our list of top loan providers to finance your solar panel system.
- North Carolina Energy Office
Learn about NC solar programs from the state government.
- NC Utilities Commission
Read more about how utility companies work in NC.
- North Carolina Electricity Profile (EIA)
Learn about NC energy production and prices.
- NC State Solar Factsheet (SEIA)
See quick stats about how much solar energy has grown in NC.
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