North Carolina Solar Calculator

Enter your utility and monthly bill — get system size, NC REC income, net metering savings, 80% property tax exemption, and 25-year savings.

Your North Carolina solar inputs

Monthly electric bill?

Electric utility?

System size?

Battery backup?

North Carolina solar estimate

20 × 400W panels (8 kW system)

Recommended size for your bill: 10.6 kW

Monthly usage1,167 kWh/mo

Annual production (NC 4.6 PSH)10,746 kWh/yr

Annual savings (net metering)$1,289/yr

NC REC income (~10.7 RECs/yr)$70/yr

Gross system cost$21,600

Federal ITC (30%)-$6,480

Net cost after ITC$15,120

REC total income (5yr est.)$349

Property tax exemption (80%, 20yr est.)$1,935

Payback period11.1 yrs

25-year savings$32,586

NC REC prices are lower than MA/NJ SREC programs (~$5–$8/REC). NC's main solar advantage is 4.6 PSH sunshine, low $2.70/W installed costs, and the 80% property tax exemption. Net metering savings are the primary financial driver.

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your bill and select your utility

North Carolina has two major Duke Energy subsidiaries plus Dominion Energy serving the state. Duke Energy Carolinas serves Charlotte, the western Piedmont, and the foothills. Duke Energy Progress serves Raleigh, the Triangle, and eastern North Carolina. Dominion Energy NC serves the northeast including Rocky Mount and Greenville. All three utilities offer retail-rate net metering and are subject to NC's renewable energy regulations.

North Carolina's strong sunshine advantage

With 4.6 peak sun hours (PSH) statewide average, North Carolina outperforms many East Coast states and approaches sunbelt levels in its coastal and Piedmont regions. The Outer Banks and coastal plain areas can exceed 5.0 PSH. This means a given system size produces more electricity in NC than comparable systems in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Illinois — partially offsetting NC's lower electricity rate.

80% property tax exemption

North Carolina exempts 80% of a solar system's value from property tax assessment. This is a partial exemption — not the full exemption offered by many other states — but still provides meaningful savings. With NC's average effective property tax rate around 0.8%, the exemption saves homeowners a few hundred dollars per year on a typical installation.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ Electricity Rate Annual Production = System kW × 1000 × 4.6 PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency ÷ 1000 Annual Savings = Annual Production × Retail Rate (net metering) Annual RECs = Annual Production ÷ 1000 kWh REC Annual Income = Annual RECs × $6.50/REC (market est.) Gross Cost = System kW × 1000 × $2.70/W + Battery ($12,000 if added) ITC Credit = Gross Cost × 30% Property Tax Exemption = (Gross Cost × 0.70) × 80% × 0.8% × 20 years Payback = Net Cost ÷ (Annual Savings + REC Annual Income)

North Carolina uses 4.6 peak sun hours (PSH) statewide average — Charlotte gets 4.8 PSH, Raleigh 4.7 PSH, Asheville 4.5 PSH, the coast 5.0 PSH. The $2.70/W installed cost reflects NC's competitive and mature solar market — among the lowest installed costs in the eastern US. NC REC price estimated at $6.50 (midpoint of $5–$8 range). Property tax exemption calculated at 80% of 70% of system cost at NC's average 0.8% effective rate.

Example

Maria — Charlotte Duke Energy Carolinas customer

Maria is in Charlotte (Duke Energy Carolinas) paying $140/month at $0.12/kWh. She installs an 8 kW system.

Monthly bill$140 (Duke Carolinas, $0.12/kWh)

System8 kW, no battery

LocationCharlotte, NC (4.8 PSH est.)

Result

Annual production~10,751 kWh/yr

Annual savings (net metering)~$1,290/yr

NC REC annual income~$70/yr

Gross system cost~$21,600

Federal ITC (30%)-$6,480

Net cost after ITC~$15,120

REC total (5yr)~$350

Property tax exemption (80%, 20yr)~$1,936

Payback period~11.1 years

25-year savings~$32,600

Maria's payback at 11.1 years reflects NC's lower electricity rate — the main trade-off versus higher-rate states. However, her $21,600 gross system cost is among the lowest in the eastern US, and her 25-year savings of over $32,000 represent a strong return on a $15,120 net investment. The 30% ITC alone covers 30% of cost immediately.

FAQ

How does North Carolina net metering work? ▼

North Carolina has retail-rate net metering under NC General Statute 62-2. Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, and Dominion Energy NC customers earn credits at the full retail electricity rate for exported solar. However, NC's net metering rules have been debated — Duke Energy has lobbied for changes. As of 2026, retail-rate net metering remains in place. Credits roll over monthly. At year-end, excess credits may be cashed out at a lower rate. The NC Utilities Commission reviews net metering rules periodically — check with your installer for the latest status before system design.

What is the NC 80% property tax exemption for solar? ▼

North Carolina General Statute 105-275(45) provides an 80% property tax exemption for residential solar energy equipment. This means 80% of the solar system's assessed value is excluded from your property tax calculation — a partial exemption (unlike the 100% exemptions offered by TX, NJ, MA, etc.). With NC's average effective property tax rate of ~0.8% and typical home installation costs of $20,000–$25,000, this saves approximately $90–$140 per year. Over 20 years that's $1,800–$2,800 in property tax savings. The exemption applies automatically — no application is required.

What are North Carolina solar RECs worth? ▼

North Carolina Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are worth approximately $5–$8 per REC (1 REC = 1 MWh). NC REC prices are relatively low compared to NJ ($76.50/SREC) or MA SMART payments because NC's Renewable Portfolio Standard is less aggressive and the market has excess supply. An 8 kW system generating ~10,000 kWh/year produces about 10 RECs, worth $50–$80/year. REC income is a minor component of NC solar economics — net metering savings are the primary financial driver. Some NC homeowners choose not to register their RECs as the administrative overhead may not be worth the modest income.

Is solar worth it in North Carolina? ▼

Yes — North Carolina is one of the top 10 solar states by installed capacity. NC's advantages include 4.6 PSH sunshine, low $2.70/W installed costs, net metering, 30% federal ITC, and 80% property tax exemption. The main limitation is NC's relatively low electricity rate ($0.12–$0.13/kWh) — each kWh of solar savings is worth less than in Massachusetts ($0.28/kWh) or New Jersey ($0.18/kWh). Payback periods are typically 10–13 years. However, NC's low system costs mean you're investing less upfront. The 30% ITC significantly improves economics for all NC homeowners.

Should I add battery for hurricane protection in NC? ▼

Battery storage makes particular sense for NC coastal homeowners due to hurricane risk. Grid-tied solar without a battery shuts off during grid outages — standard safety behavior. Solar + battery keeps critical loads running when the grid goes down from hurricanes or other severe weather. A properly sized battery (10–20 kWh) can power refrigeration, lighting, medical equipment, and phone charging for 1–3 days. The 30% federal ITC applies to battery storage when paired with solar. NC coastal properties typically have higher electricity usage due to A/C loads, making solar ROI slightly better than inland — and battery resilience particularly valuable in hurricane season.

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