Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (North Carolina) solar: net metering and export credit rules

The rules

What happens to the solar power you send to the grid

Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress are Duke Energy subsidiaries that each serve parts of North Carolina and South Carolina, and the North Carolina Utilities Commission approves the net metering riders for their North Carolina customers.

Residential Solar Choice (Rider RSC), with the Net Metering Bridge rider (Rider NMB) as a limited alternative

How Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (North Carolina) credits exports

Under G.S. 62-126.4, the North Carolina Utilities Commission approved revised Duke Energy net metering riders in an order dated March 23, 2023, and they took effect for residential customers on October 1, 2023.
New residential customers can take Residential Solar Choice, Rider RSC, which requires a time of use rate with critical peak pricing and credits net exports each month at the Net Excess Energy Credit rate, which is based on the utility's avoided cost.
Duke Energy Carolinas' version nets the power a home uses against the power it sends to the grid within each time of use period, counting critical peak hours as a separate period.
Rider RSC also adds a monthly minimum bill, non bypassable charges tied to storm recovery and cyber security costs, and a grid access fee for systems larger than 15 kW AC.
The Net Metering Bridge rider, Rider NMB, is similar but does not require the time of use rate with critical peak pricing, is open to a limited number of new customers each year, and lets participants stay for up to 15 years from their interconnection application.
The legacy net metering rider closed to new residential customers after September 30, 2023, and residential customers already on it can stay through December 31, 2026, after which they move automatically to Rider NMB, in line with the January 1, 2027 end date G.S. 62-126.4 sets for older net metering rates.

The rule behind it

North Carolina net metering statute, N.C. Gen. Stat. 62-126.4

The program

Residential Solar Choice (Rider RSC), with the Net Metering Bridge rider (Rider NMB) as a limited alternative, Rider RSC; Rider NMB

Recent changes

Residential customers still on Duke's legacy net metering rider are moved to Rider NMB after December 31, 2026, and Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider NMB closes to new participants on January 1, 2027. Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider RSC and Rider NMB were most recently revised effective September 1, 2026, under a Commission order dated August 11, 2026 in Docket No. E-7, Sub 1333.

Before you connect

Limits, and the steps to get connected

Limits and eligibility

Residential systems must be 20 kW AC or less, and Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider RSC and Rider NMB also cap a system at the home's estimated maximum monthly demand when that is lower.
Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider NMB takes new participants first come, first served up to a set amount of capacity each year, reserved when a valid interconnection application is submitted, and a customer who applies after the year's limit is reached must reapply in a later year or take Rider RSC.
Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider NMB closes to new participants on January 1, 2027, and customers who apply before then can stay on it for up to 15 calendar years from their application date before moving to Rider RSC or another tariff then in effect.
Rider RSC customers of Duke Energy Carolinas must be on Schedule RSTC or RETC, its residential time of use rates with critical peak pricing, and cannot combine the rider with another parallel generation rider or NC GreenPower.

How a home gets connected

Contact Duke Energy for an interconnection application, which the utility must review and approve before the system connects to its grid, and the installer can help with the forms.
Submit a Request to Interconnect under the North Carolina Interconnection Procedures approved by the Commission, which Duke must accept.
Meet the liability insurance requirements of the Interconnection Procedures, sign a contract providing for interconnection, and sign the rider contract, which has a minimum first term of one year.
For Rider RSC, move to a residential time of use rate with critical peak pricing, which at Duke Energy Carolinas means Schedule RSTC or RETC.
Duke furnishes and installs a single bidirectional billing meter that records the flow of electricity in each direction, and it may inspect the system to confirm it complies with the Interconnection Procedures.

Federal tax credit

The residential solar credit (section 25D) ended for systems completed after 2025. What that means in 2026.

Questions

Common questions about Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (North Carolina) and solar

Can I still get the old net metering from Duke Energy in North Carolina?

No. Duke's legacy net metering rider closed to new residential customers after September 30, 2023. Residential customers already on it can stay through December 31, 2026, when they are moved automatically to the Net Metering Bridge rider.

Do I have to switch to a time of use rate to go solar with Duke Energy in North Carolina?

Residential Solar Choice, Rider RSC, requires a time of use rate with critical peak pricing. The Net Metering Bridge rider does not, but it is open only to a limited number of customers each year, and Duke Energy Carolinas' version closes to new participants on January 1, 2027.

Can Duke Energy solar credits cover my whole electric bill?

No. Net metering credits apply mainly to kilowatt hour charges, and fixed parts of the bill, such as the customer charge and the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard charge, cannot be offset. Rider RSC and Rider NMB also include a monthly minimum bill, and Duke Energy Carolinas' riders apply export credits only after any minimum bill charge has been figured.

Is there still a federal tax credit for home solar?

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.

Does the consultation cost anything?

No. The consultation is free for homeowners, and there is no obligation to buy anything.

Who will contact me?

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.

Sources (checked September 26, 2026)

Tariffs and programs change, so confirm current terms with Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (North Carolina) before you decide.

Answers homeowners look for

Is the federal solar tax credit still available in 2026?No, not for a home solar system completed in 2026.Can an HOA stop you from installing solar panels?North Carolina: State law limits some HOA bans Do solar panels raise your property taxes?North Carolina: Partial or limited exemption

How Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (North Carolina) credits home solar

Check your home