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Plug-In Solar in North Carolina

North Carolina doesn't have a plug-in solar law. Two bills were introduced but stayed in committee, so the usual utility interconnection rules continue to apply.

A home with a plug-in solar panel on the porch railing, the kind of kit North Carolina's rules apply to

North Carolina connections require your electric utility's approval before you proceed, along with an inverter listed under UL 1741 with anti-islanding, or listed under UL 3700.

North Carolina Plug-In Bills

  • On April 30, 2026, H 1129 (Balcony Solar) (2026) was referred to House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee; no further action followed. A device rated up to 1.2 kW could have used a standard 120-volt outlet, and neither an interconnection agreement nor a fee would have applied. Notice on a state form would have had to reach the utility 15 days ahead, the devices would have stayed outside net metering, and larger landlords could not have barred tenants from installing one. Bill page
  • Referred to Senate Rules and Operations Committee on May 4, 2026, the 2026 bill S 957 (Portable-Scale Solar Energy Devices) saw no further action. Under the bill, devices rated up to 1.92 kW would have been allowed, while anything above 391 W would have needed UL or NRTL certification. No interconnection agreement, approval, or fee would have been needed. Bill page
  • Resolution on adjournment (Res. SJR 1091 (Res. 2026-6) (2026): Because sine die adjournment is set for December 18, 2026, and after August 6, 2026 the General Assembly session may only take up limited business, including veto overrides, conference reports and appointments, neither bill can advance. Bill details

North Carolina's Rule Today

Hooking up: Small systems follow the NCUC interconnection standard. The Inverter Process applies to systems up to 20 kW, and generators up to 20 kW pay an application fee of $100.

Net metering: customers of Duke Energy on residential net metering now use Rider RSC (since October 1, 2023). Critical peak pricing comes with the required time-of-use rate, and net exports get credits each month at the avoided cost rate. A limited alternative is Rider NMB.

Savings from a Kit in North Carolina

For every 1 kW of panel capacity in Charlotte, PVWatts shows 1,468 kWh a year, while homes in North Carolina pay 14.9 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. With an 800 W kit, the results depend on where it goes:

Where the panels gokWh a yearSaved a year
Tilted south on a stand1,174$175
Upright on a railing740$111
Facing east or west939$140

Charlotte month by month

kWh that an 800 W kit makes when tilted south.

Kit Prices for North Carolina

KitkWh a yearSaved a yearPays back inPrice
US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit1,732$2593.5 years$899
Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit528$795.2 years$414
EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit1,174$1756.3 years$1,099

All tilted south and used at home. Compare all kits

North Carolina Facts Worth Knowing

  • Most of North Carolina's power is sold by two Duke Energy companies. Under Rider RSC, new solar customers of Duke's must be on a time-of-use rate.
  • In 2024, the average price for North Carolina homes was 14.13 cents/kWh.
  • Customers already on Duke's old Rider NM net metering program switch to Rider NMB on December 31, 2026.

Are you renting or using a balcony?

The mount is up to your landlord or HOA, and the hookup is up to your electric utility. Read about solar for apartments and balcony solar.

Main Utility Companies

  • Duke Energy Carolinas
  • Duke Energy Progress
  • Virginia Electric & Power Company (Dominion Energy North Carolina)
  • EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation

Next Steps for You in North Carolina

  1. Choose a kit size for Charlotte: about 587 kWh each year from a 400 W kit, and about 1,761 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Run yours.
  2. Keep an eye on H 1129 (Balcony Solar) in the session ahead. If it passes, you may no longer need the approval step.

Sources

See every state at a glance, or look at a neighboring state: South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia.