A worked example: 8 kW in North Carolina
An 8 kW system — about 19 × 425-watt panels — at North Carolina's assumed installed cost of $2.40–$3.15 per watt runs roughly $19,200–$25,200 before incentives. At about 1,380 kWh of production per installed kW, it would generate around 11,040 kWh per year. Valuing self-consumed electricity at the assumed $0.13/kWh retail rate and exports conservatively, first-year savings land near $1,183 — a simple payback of roughly 16–21 years.
There is no federal tax credit in that math: the Section 25D residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. State or utility incentives, where they exist, would shorten payback from here.
Net metering in North Carolina
North Carolina’s Duke Energy utilities replaced legacy net metering with a net billing structure including time-of-use elements; exports are credited below retail for new customers.
North Carolina solar incentives
North Carolina’s state solar credit expired in 2015. Duke has periodically offered rebate programs (often oversubscribed); property tax exemption applies.
What changes a North Carolina solar quote?
Equipment, roof condition, electrical upgrades, permitting, labor, system size, batteries and financing can all change the installed price. Savings also depend on the specific utility rate, how much solar electricity the home uses directly, and what the utility pays for exports.
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in North Carolina?
Using an assumed installed cost of $2.40–$3.15 per watt, a typical 8 kW home system in North Carolina costs roughly $19,200–$25,200 before incentives. Smaller and larger systems scale roughly with size, though small systems cost more per watt.
Is solar worth it in North Carolina?
With North Carolina electricity around $0.13/kWh and production around 1,380 kWh per installed kW per year, an 8 kW system could save roughly $1,183 in year one, for a simple payback of about 16–21 years with no federal credit. Whether that is "worth it" depends on your rate plan, export compensation, roof, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
Does North Carolina have net metering?
North Carolina’s Duke Energy utilities replaced legacy net metering with a net billing structure including time-of-use elements; exports are credited below retail for new customers.
What solar incentives does North Carolina offer in 2026?
North Carolina’s state solar credit expired in 2015. Duke has periodically offered rebate programs (often oversubscribed); property tax exemption applies. Note that the federal Section 25D residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so state, local and utility programs are now the main incentives for purchased systems.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in North Carolina?
No — the 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Leased or PPA systems may still benefit indirectly because the system owner can claim the commercial 48E credit through 2027.
Use this as a starting point
This page provides broad state assumptions, not a current market survey or binding quote. Before purchasing, verify applicable incentives, utility rules, installer licensing, warranties and financing terms.
Where these numbers come from
State assumptions are informed by public data and reviewed periodically (September 2026):