Solar resource
Your solar production in Raleigh
4.7 avg peak sun hours/day
Monthly avg solar radiation (kWh/m²/day) — Raleigh, NC. Bars update to show estimated kWh production when you use the calculator above.
Utility rate
Duke Energy Progress electricity rate
$0.116/kWh residential
- Utility
- Duke Energy Progress
- Residential rate
- $0.116/kWh (blended)
Duke Energy Progress serves Raleigh and the eastern NC piedmont. Under NC Utilities Commission rules, Duke Energy Progress offers full retail-rate net metering for residential solar. Excess solar generation exported to the grid is credited at the full retail rate and rolls forward monthly, with an annual true-up in December. North Carolina is consistently ranked among the top five states for total installed solar capacity (SEIA). Duke Energy Progress's service territory is distinct from Duke Energy Carolinas (which serves Charlotte and western NC).
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Incentives
Available solar incentives in Raleigh, NC
Federal + state + utility
| Incentive | Type | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Tax Credit | 30% of system cost | Federal |
| Duke Energy Progress Net Metering | Net Metering | Full retail-rate bill credit for exported solar (~$0.116/kWh) | Utility |
| NC Solar Energy Equipment Property Tax Exclusion | Exemption | 80% of solar equipment value excluded from property tax assessment | State |
| Duke Energy Progress Residential Solar Rebate | Rebate | Check current program availability at duke-energy.com/home/products/solar | Utility |
Incentive amounts and eligibility rules change. Verify current terms with your installer and a tax professional before installation.
System cost
Cost breakdown (6 kW default)
- Gross system cost
- $22400
- Federal ITC (30%)
- −$6720
- Net system cost
- $15,680
- Installed cost per watt
- $2.8/W
Southeast US residential solar benchmark (Tracking the Sun, NREL), used as a planning estimate for Raleigh.
Payback & long-term value
25-year outlook
- Annual savings (yr 1)
- $1,270
- Simple payback period
- 10.8 years
- 25-year net savings
- $35500
- Assumed annual rate increase
- 2.5%/year
25-year estimate uses flat electricity rate for conservative baseline. Accounting for 2.5% annual rate increases, lifetime savings increase substantially.
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How it works
How solar savings work in Raleigh
- Raleigh's sun and NC's solar policy make a strong combination At 4.70 average peak sun hours per day, Raleigh gets solid solar production year-round. An 8 kW system is modeled at approximately 10,960 kWh per year. NC is consistently a top-five state for total installed solar capacity, driven largely by Duke Energy's service territory and favorable state policy.
- Duke Energy Progress net metering credits at full retail rate Unlike states where net metering has been reduced, Duke Energy Progress customers in Raleigh currently receive full retail-rate bill credits (~$0.116/kWh) for solar generation exported to the grid. Monthly credits roll forward and are reconciled once a year.
- On-site consumption and exports both earn at the retail rate Because Duke Energy Progress offers full retail-rate net metering, solar generation that offsets on-site usage and generation exported to the grid are both valued at the same retail rate. This makes Raleigh's solar economics more straightforward than in states with below-retail export credits.
- The federal ITC covers 30% of system cost On a modeled $22,400 installed cost, the federal ITC reduces your tax bill by approximately $6,720, bringing net upfront cost to roughly $15,680 before financing effects.
- NC's property tax exclusion reduces ongoing costs North Carolina excludes 80% of the appraised value added by a solar installation from property tax assessment under G.S. 105-275(45). On a $22,400 system, that exclusion is worth approximately $17,920 in excluded assessed value for the life of the system.
- Savings compound as Duke Energy Progress rates rise The 25-year savings estimate assumes a 2.5% annual rate escalation. Even at a modest escalation, a well-sized Raleigh system produces durable long-run value as utility bills increase over time.
FAQ
Common solar savings questions for Raleigh, NC
How much can I save with solar in Raleigh, NC?
An 8 kW system in Raleigh is modeled at approximately 10,960 kWh per year. With Duke Energy Progress's full retail-rate net metering at ~$0.116/kWh, first-year savings are estimated around $1,270. After the 30% federal ITC, simple payback is approximately 10.8 years, with 25-year savings around $35,500.
Does Duke Energy Progress offer net metering in Raleigh?
Yes. Duke Energy Progress offers full retail-rate net metering for residential solar customers under NC Utilities Commission rules. Excess generation is credited at the full retail rate and rolls forward monthly with an annual true-up in December.
What is the difference between Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas?
They are separate regulated utilities under the Duke Energy umbrella serving different parts of North Carolina. Duke Energy Progress serves Raleigh and eastern NC; Duke Energy Carolinas serves Charlotte and western NC. Both offer net metering under NCUC rules, but they have separate rate schedules and interconnection processes.
What state solar incentives are available in North Carolina?
The main state-level benefit is the NC Solar Energy Equipment Property Tax Exclusion (G.S. 105-275(45)), which excludes 80% of the appraised value added by a solar installation from property tax assessment. The federal 30% ITC is the largest single incentive. Duke Energy Progress periodically offers residential solar rebate programs — check duke-energy.com for current availability.
Does North Carolina offer a solar income tax credit?
North Carolina's 35% state solar income tax credit expired at the end of 2015 and has not been renewed. The current state-level benefit is the property tax exclusion. Federal ITC and Duke Energy Progress net metering are the primary financial incentives for new installations.
How many solar panels does a Raleigh home need?
Most Raleigh households land in the 6–10 kW range depending on annual electricity usage, roof space, and orientation. With full retail-rate net metering, modest oversizing is not penalized — excess generation earns the same credit rate — but sizing close to your actual usage is the most efficient approach.
Do I need a permit for solar in Raleigh?
Yes. Rooftop solar installations require a building permit from Raleigh Development Services and interconnection approval from Duke Energy Progress. If you are also planning a deck, review the Raleigh deck permit guide to ensure both projects are properly permitted.
Sources
Data sources and freshness
- https://developer.nrel.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/solar
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_105/GS_105-275.html
- https://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program/NC
- https://www.ncuc.net/
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only — not financial or investment advice. Solar savings depend on actual shading, roof orientation, energy usage patterns, rate changes, and equipment performance. Consult a licensed installer and a tax professional before making purchasing decisions. Verify incentive eligibility with official sources. Data last verified 2026-04-19.