NORTH CAROLINA
Solar in North Carolina
North Carolina is a sunny state, making it an optimal location for solar power. On average, the Tar Heel State has 213 sun-filled days, which is eight more days than the national average.* About 76% of the buildings in the state are considered solar viable, which is enough to generate about 39.6 million MWh AC per year.
Solar potential in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 5.3 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that North Carolina has a good potential for solar energy generation.
North Carolina ranks third in the United States for solar energy production. As of 2021, the state has 7,132.3 MW solar systems installed, which is enough to power 859,707 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.*North Carolina ranks third in the United States for solar energy production. As of 2021, the state has 7,132.3 MW solar systems installed, which is enough to power 859,707 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Cost of solar in North Carolina?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Solar system provider
Quality of the solar panels
Size and condition of the roof
Home’s energy needs
Local weather
In North Carolina, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,000 to $14,250, or, in other words, from $2.40 to $2.85 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
All North Carolina residents who choose to go solar can participate in the federal residential solar energy investment tax credit (ITC). When claiming ITC on your federal income taxes, you can receive a 30% tax credit on the total cost of a new solar system installation.* To obtain the benefit, you must own the solar system, and its installation must occur during the same tax year you file the claim.
North Carolina residents can also participate in several rebate and incentive programs to reduce the initial costs of going solar. For instance, Duke Energy provides a $0.60 per watt rebate for its customers on new systems up to 10 kW.*
State legislation also allows various cities and counties to provide property owners with low-interest loans for purchasing and installing solar panels.Other incentives include North Carolina’s property tax exemption for solar system installations and net metering. Net metering is a program that allows solar system owners who generate more energy than their home uses to feed their surplus into their local electric grid. In return, the property owners will receive credits toward their monthly utility bills.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make North Carolina a more sustainable state.
State incentives: North Carolina offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
North Carolina state policies?
Net metering: North Carolina has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: North Carolina exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): North Carolina offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): North Carolina has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 12.5%, and it is scheduled to increase to 20% by 2030. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in North Carolina.
Community solar: North Carolina has a number of community solar programs that allow homeowners to participate in solar energy without having to install solar panels on their own homes. Community solar projects are typically located in central locations, such as at schools or community centers. Homeowners who participate in community solar programs receive credits on their electricity bills based on the amount of solar power generated by the project.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in North Carolina? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in North Carolina, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!
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