WattBuy’s Guide to

Solar Energy in
North Carolina

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The State of Solar in North Carolina

Here are a few numbers showing how popular solar energy is in North Carolina and how much solar energy potential there is on average.

2,911

Houses with solar panels

(circa 2019)*

1,106 kWh

Average monthly energy use per household

10 kW

Average system size

1,007 kWh

Energy generated by average sized system

How much does solar cost in North Carolina?

Average solar panel installation

$25,964

Federal Incentives

$7,789

Total

$18,175

Average monthly bill without solar

$136

Average monthly bill with solar

$12

Solar will pay for itself in

12 years
Tax Credits Available

Free money (kind of)

The Inflation Reduction Act has made it easier and more affordable than ever to go solar, thanks to a 30% federal tax credit. This means that for every $10,000 you spend on solar panels, you can deduct $3,000 from your federal taxes.

LEARN MORE
Net Metering Available

Get paid for the extra solar you produce

Net metering policies in North Carolina can help solar panel owners save money and reduce their carbon footprint. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, you can send the excess back to the grid and receive credit on your next bill. Just something to keep in mind when considering solar panels.

Solar Incentives in North Carolina

NC GreenPower Production IncentiveSee Details
Property Tax Abatement for Solar Electric Systems
Haywood EMC - Residential Heat Pump and Weatherization Loan ProgramSee Details
Catawba County - Green Construction Permitting Incentive ProgramSee Details
Piedmont EMC - Residential Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan ProgramSee Details
Duke Energy - NC Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Randolph EMC - ElecTel Energy Efficiency Loan ProgramSee Details

The Solar Process

Getting solar panels may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you can expect.

1

Understand your energy needs

Take a closer look at your energy usage to determine how much solar power you'll require.

2

Get quotes and choose an installer

Reach out to multiple solar companies to gather quotes and select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

3

Design the system

Work with your chosen installer to design a solar system customized to your specific requirements and goals.

4

Obtain the necessary permit

Take care of the paperwork and permits required by local authorities before installing your solar panels.

This takes 9 days on average.

5

Install solar panels

Let the professionals handle the installation of your solar panels and related equipment.

This takes 25 days on average.

6

Inspection time

Have your newly installed solar system inspected to ensure it meets safety and quality standards.

This takes 20 days on average.

7

Lights on!

Connect your solar system to the electrical grid and start generating clean, renewable energy for your home or business.

This takes 11 days on average.

Solar Installers in North Carolina

Freedom Forever

freedomforever.com

Coverage

AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI

Renu Energy Solutions

renuenergysolutions.com

Coverage

NC, SC

Cape Fear Solar Systems

capefearsolarsystems.com

Coverage

NC

Palmetto Solar

palmetto.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA

8MSolar

8msolar.com

Coverage

NC

ION Solar

www.ionsolar.com

Coverage

AZ, CO, NC, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, TX, UT, VA

Solar Energy World

www.solarenergyworld.com

Coverage

DC, DE, FL, MD, NC, NJ, PA, SC AND VA

Solar Is Freedom

www.solarisfreedom.com

Coverage

KY, NC, OH

Emerald Energy

www.emeraldenergync.com

Coverage

NC

Tesla

tesla.com

Coverage

Nationwide

ADT Solar

www.adt.com/solar

Coverage

AK, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, LA, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

Titan Solar Power

titansolarpower.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA

Freedom Solar Power

freedomsolarpower.com

Coverage

CO, FL, NC, TX, VA

NC Solar Now

ncsolarnow.com/contact-us

Coverage

NC

SolarTyme

www.solartyme.net

Coverage

NC, SC, VA

Learn About Solar in These North Carolina Cities

AberdeenAlamanceAlexanderApexArchdaleAshAshevilleBarker Ten MileBayshoreBelmontBelvilleBensonBessemer CityBethaniaBethlehemBiltmore ForestBlack CreekBoiling Spring LakesBrogdenBrookfordBurlingtonCajah's MountainCalabashCamp LejeuneCandlerCarolina BeachCarolina ShoresCarrboroCarthageCaryChapel HillCharlotteClaremontClaytonClemmonsCoatsColfaxConcordConnelly SpringsConoverCorneliusCramertonCrouseDallasDavidsonDortchesDrexelDunnDurhamEarlEast SpencerEastoverElm CityElonElroyErwinFairviewFaithFayettevilleFort BraggFuquay VarinaGamewellGarnerGastoniaGermantonGibsonvilleGlen RavenGoldsboroGormanGrahamGranite FallsGranite QuarryGreen LevelGreensboroGreenvilleHalf MoonHarrisburgHaw RiverHemby BridgeHickoryHigh PointHightsvilleHildebranHolden BeachHolly SpringsHope MillsHubertHudsonHuntersvilleIcardIndian TrailIron StationJacksonvilleJamestownKannapolisKernersvilleKings GrantKings MountainKirklandKnightdaleKure BeachLake ParkLeicesterLelandLenoirLewisvilleLexingtonLight OakLincolntonLinwoodLong ViewLowellLowesvilleLumbertonMaidenMar-MacMarvinMatthewsMcAdenvilleMcLeansvilleMidlandMineral SpringsMint HillMonroeMooresvilleMorgantonMorrisvilleMount HollyMountain ViewMurrayvilleMyrtle GroveNew HillNewellNewtonNorthlakesOak IslandOak RidgeOcean Isle BeachOgdenParktonPatterson SpringsPelhamPfafftownPinebluffPinehurstPinevillePiney GreenPlain ViewPleasant GardenPope FieldProvidencePumpkin CenterRaleighRanloRed OakRhodhissRockfishRockwellRocky MountRural HallRutherford CollegeSaint JamesSaint StephensSalemSalisburySawmillsSea BreezeShallotteSharpsburgShelbySilver LakeSouth BrunswickSouthern PinesSpencerSpencer MountainSpring LakeStallingsStanleyStatesvilleStokesdaleSummerfieldSunset BeachSwepsonvilleTaylortownThomasvilleTobaccovilleTrinityTroutmanUnionvilleValdeseVanderVarnamtownWake ForestWalkertownWallburgWaxhawWeavervilleWeddingtonWendellWesley ChapelWestportWhispering PinesWhitsettWilmingtonWilsonWinston-SalemWintervilleWoodfinWrightsboroWrightsville Beach

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*Source: Project Sunroof