Net Metering in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina uses Net billing. North Carolina's major utility moved to a time-of-use 'bridge' net-metering tariff with monthly minimums, crediting exports below flat retail.
| Policy type | Net billing |
|---|---|
| Export compensation | Below-retail export credit set by tariff |
| Retail electricity rate | ~16¢/kWh |
| Est. annual production per kW | ~1,400 kWh/kW/yr |
Policy status reflects the statewide standard as of 2026. Actual export rates and program caps vary by utility — confirm with your provider.
What this means for your payback
Since North Carolina pays less than retail for exports, self-consumption is where the money is. Every kWh you use in your home is worth the full ~16¢/kWh, while exported kWh earn less — so a home battery that shifts midday production into evening use materially improves payback here, unlike in full retail net-metering states.
2026 reality check: the 30% federal tax credit for purchased home solar ended Dec 31, 2025. With that gone, net metering policy and any North Carolina state incentives are now the main levers on your solar ROI. Run the numbers on your actual utility bill before signing anything.
See full solar costs & payback for North Carolina
Solar panel cost in North Carolina →North Carolina net metering FAQ
Does North Carolina have net metering?
Not in the traditional 1:1 sense. North Carolina uses net billing, crediting exported solar below the retail rate. North Carolina's major utility moved to a time-of-use 'bridge' net-metering tariff with monthly minimums, crediting exports below flat retail.
What is North Carolina's solar export rate?
Below retail. North Carolina's major utility moved to a time-of-use 'bridge' net-metering tariff with monthly minimums, crediting exports below flat retail. As a rule, plan your system around using power on-site rather than banking exports at 16¢/kWh.
Do I need a battery to make solar worth it in North Carolina?
A battery helps a lot here. Because North Carolina pays less than retail for exports, storing midday solar and using it at night captures far more value than exporting it, shortening payback.
Is solar still worth it in North Carolina now that the federal tax credit is gone?
Often, yes. The 30% federal credit for purchased systems ended Dec 31, 2025, so North Carolina's net billing plus any state incentives are now the main drivers of payback. At ~16¢/kWh and about 1,400 kWh produced per kW each year, run the numbers on your own bill before deciding.