Solar & energy in North Carolina

Duke Energy's new reduced NM hurts payback. Still viable for self-consumption.

Avg electricity rate
$0.12/kWh
USA average
Peak sun hours
5.0
Annual average
Net metering
fair
Reduced (Duke Energy)
Solar friendliness
★★★☆☆
Out of 5

Key facts

  • RegionNorth Carolina
  • CountryUSA
  • Average rate$0.12/kWh
  • Peak rate (TOU)$0.18/kWh
  • Off-peak rate (TOU)$0.08/kWh
  • Peak sun hours5.0 hrs/day
  • Net metering policyReduced (Duke Energy)
  • NM qualityFair
  • Solar friendliness rating★★★/5

Available incentives

  • Property tax exemption
  • Duke Solar Rebate

Net metering quality

Quality of net metering policy (higher = better for solar economics):

Fair — Reduced (Duke Energy)

What this means

Fair net metering policies pay less than retail for exports. Consider self-consumption or a battery.

Example: 900 kWh/month household in North Carolina

At 5.0 peak sun hours and a 400W panel, you'd need approximately 17 panels (6.8 kW system) to cover your usage. That produces ~10,673 kWh/year, saving about $1,281/year at the 0.12/kWh local rate.

Run the full calculator

Going solar in North Carolina

North Carolina, in North Carolina, USA, has 5.0 average peak sun hours per day — excellent for solar. The local electricity rate is $0.12/kWh, below the USA average.

Net metering in North Carolina is rated fair. Reduced (Duke Energy). This significantly affects solar payback: with excellent net metering, every excess kWh you produce is credited at full retail value; with poor net metering, exports may be worth only 10-30% of retail, making battery storage much more attractive.

Available incentives include: Property tax exemption, Duke Solar Rebate. These can substantially reduce the upfront cost of solar and battery installations. Note: the US federal solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. State and local incentives still vary by region. South African taxpayers can claim accelerated depreciation under SARS section 12B.

Next steps

Use the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator with 5.0 peak sun hours to find out exactly how many panels you need. Then check the Solar Savings Calculator for a 25-year projection using the local $0.12/kWh rate. If net metering is poor in North Carolina, also run the Battery ROI Calculator — batteries may be essential rather than optional.