North Carolina · 2 cities covered
How North Carolina credits home solar, which utilities follow which rules, and a free consultation with one local specialist.
The rules
Duke closed its legacy net metering rider to new residential customers on October 1, 2023, so new customers choose Residential Solar Choice or the capped Net Metering Bridge rider, which closes to new participants on January 1, 2027. State regulators have also approved combining Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress into one utility, with a targeted effective date of January 1, 2027.
The residential solar credit (section 25D) ended for systems completed after 2025. Confirm your own situation with a tax professional.
Utilities
Your utility decides how your solar is credited. Check the name on your electric bill.
Where we work
Each city page covers the local utility, how it credits solar, and who issues permits.
Questions
G.S. 62-126.4 requires each electric public utility to file net metering rates for Commission approval, which covers Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Dominion Energy North Carolina. Electric cooperatives and city owned utilities are not rate regulated by the Commission and are not required to offer net metering, though some do.
New residential customers choose Residential Solar Choice, which requires a time of use rate and credits net exports each month at the Net Excess Energy Credit rate based on avoided cost, or the Net Metering Bridge rider, which is open to a limited number of customers each year. Both riders carry a monthly minimum bill provision.
Residential customers who applied before October 1, 2023 can stay on the legacy rider until December 31, 2026. They must move to the Net Metering Bridge rider or another rider by January 1, 2027.
The federal residential clean energy credit, section 25D, ended for home solar expenditures made after December 31, 2025, under the law signed July 4, 2025. The IRS treats the expenditure as made when installation is completed, so a system completed in 2026 does not qualify even if it was paid for earlier.
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Our team confirms a few details with you, then one local solar company for your area contacts you to set up the visit. Your request never goes to a list.
Rules and programs change, so confirm current terms with your utility before you decide.
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