North Carolina Utility Guide

Net Metering Bridge (Rider NMB)

April 3, 2026

Top Takeaways

1. Legacy net metering is closed in NC
2. Net Metering Bridge (Rider NMB) is open through 2026. Customers can stay on Rider NMB for 15 years.
3. Residential Solar Choice with a TOU rate will be required for new solar applications beginning January 1, 2027

Overview

The following policies apply to Duke Energy Progress (DEP) and Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC).

Legacy Net Metering – closed

Duke Energy NC closed its traditional 1-to-1 net metering program with an annual cycle in October 2023. Legacy Net Metering customers will be required to move to the Net Metering Bridge rider in January 2027.

Net Metering Bridge Rider – OPEN

New solar customers are eligible for a Net Metering Bridge Rider (NMB). Rider NMB is a transitional program as the "bridge" name suggests. It's available until January 1, 2027 or until annual capacity limits are met, whichever occurs first. Once a solar interconnection application is approved for Rider NMB, customers may stay on it for up to 15 years.

Residential Solar Choice Rider – January 2027

After the Bridge Rate is closed, new solar customers -- based on the interconnection application submission date -- will be placed on Residential Solar Choice (RSC).

Net Metering Bridge vs Residential Solar Choice

Both NMB and RSC are 'monthly' net metering policies. The main difference is that RSC requires customers to take service on a Time of Use rate with Critical Peak Pricing (TOU-CPP). As of November 2025, there is plenty of annual capacity in the Net Metering Bridge Rider through the end of 2026.

Net Metering Bridge (Rider NMB)

Under all Duke Energy (NC) net metering programs, solar produced and consumed within the same monthly billing cycle nets 1-to-1. Meaning the credit is at the same price per kWh the utility charges you.

Under the NMB monthly net metering rider, if the electricity delivered to the grid exceeds the electricity supplied by Duke Energy during a billing period, the excess production will be credited at the Net Excess Energy Credit rate of approximately 3.4 to 4.5 cents per kWh, depending on the utility's annual avoided cost.

• Net Metering Bridge (NMB) customers may stay on their current electric rate schedule.
• Under NMB, Time of Use rates are optional. If on a TOU rate with Rider NMB, excess credits may reduce consumption in the same or lower-priced TOU periods.

Example Monthly NEM Billing

• Net Energy Consumed:

  • If 600 kWh are produced while 800 kWh are consumed, then 200 kWh will be charged the retail utility rate.

• Net Excess Energy Generated:

  • If 800 kWh are produced while 600 kWh are consumed, then -200 kWh will be credited the Net Excess Energy Credit of 3.4 to 4.5 cents per kWh.

Fees under NMB & RSC

1. Non-Bypassable Charge based on the solar system size

   1. $0.49/kW DC per month in Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC)
   2. $0.72/kW DC per month in Duke Energy Progress (DEP)
   3. A typical 8 kW system would be charged $3.92 per month in DEC or $5.76 in DEP

2. Minimum Monthly Bill

   1. $22 per month (DEC)
   2. $28 per month (DEP)

Minimum Monthly Bill

A Minimum Monthly Bill will apply in months when the distribution costs and the $14 Basic Customer Charge do not total to at least the Minimum Charge. It could apply in months where net consumption from the utility is low. Some months the minimum charge will not apply when the grid charges are already over the $22-28 minimum.

Customer and distribution costs, like the existing Basic Customer Charge, apply toward the minimum bill calculation. The Non-Bypassable Charge and Renewable Energy Charge do not count toward the minimum bill.

Sample Bill on Rider NMB

Duke Energy Progress in April 2024

Energy Used from the grid 271 kWh Energy Delivered to grid 413 kWh Total Net Excess kWh -142

Billing Charges

• Basic Customer Charge $14

• Monthly Minimum Charge $14

  • The total Minimum Charge in DEP is $28.
  • $14 was already billed under the Basic Customer Charge. Another $14 was added to total $28.

• Non-Bypassable Charge

  • 6.885 kW DC * $0.67/kW = $4.61

• Net Excess Energy Credit

  • 142 kWh * 3.4 ¢ credit = -$4.83

• Renewable Energy Rider $1.22

Total Current Charges $29 + 7% NC Sales Tax

Duke explanation of Net Metering Bridge

To learn more, visit Duke Energy's website and give their Solar Savings Estimator a try. Utility rates adjust over time. The terms herein are effective as of October 1, 2025.

Residential Solar Choice Rider

Residential Solar Choice (RSC) requires customers take service under a Time of Use with Critical Peak Pricing rate schedule, called the Flex Savings Option.

Rider RSC has the same monthly net metering policy, Minimum Charge, and Non-Bypassable Charge as Rider NMB. In addition, it has a Grid Access Fee for systems over 15 kW DC. For kW over 15 kW DC, the Grid Access Fee is $1.50-$2.00 per month per kW. A 17 kW system would be charged $3 per month in DEP (2 kW * $1.50).

Reminder – Solar customers are not placed on Residential Solar Choice until 2027. Homeowner's interconnecting with Duke today are locked into the Net Metering Bridge rider for 15 years.

Battery Storage Incentive

Duke Energy has an optional battery storage incentive for customers with storage who agree to allow the utility to discharge the battery (up to a 20% minimum reserve level) during 30-36 peak events per year.

The program is called EnergyWise in Duke Energy Progress and Power Manager in Duke Energy Carolinas, and more broadly known as a Virtual Power Plant program.

Duke Energy offers electricity bill credits for participating at $6.50/kW of continuous power, up to 20 kW, and adjusted for a 70.9% capability factor.

• For example, one Tesla Powerwall 3 (rated 11.5 kW) is eligible for $52/month or $624/year of participation.
• Larger battery systems may participate, however, the monthly utility bill credit will be capped based on 20 kW.
• All Palmetto approved batteries are eligible for the program. Duke estimates the incentive for each battery type on their website.

Enrollment

• Participation is completely voluntary. You choose to enroll.
• The incentive is received as monthly credits on your electric bill starting approximately 30 days after enrollment.
• After the system is installed, and Duke has issued Permission to Operate, you may enroll in the program. You will enroll through your battery equipment manufacturer, which most provide prompts in their mobile app.

Start by selecting Enroll Now on Duke Energy's website at the program links above.

FAQs

Will I have a $0 utility bill?

No. Duke Energy states, "It is possible but unlikely. Both the NMB and RSC riders have a minimum monthly bill component and a non-bypassable charge. While net excess energy generated by customers will function as a credit to offset any applicable charges and could result in a $0 or even negative bill amount, it is unlikely. Most customers will have monthly bills greater than $0 but much less than their bill before solar."

What are the deadlines to receive the Net Metering Bridge (NMB) rider?

The Bridge Rider (NMB) is open to new solar interconnection applications no later than January 1, 2027. There are also annual capacity limits to Rider NMB, however, we do not anticipate those being met before 2027.

Duke Energy (NC) will place new interconnection applications on Residential Solar Choice (RSC), the long-term successor program. Residential Solar Choice (RSC) requires that customers take service under a Time of Use with Critical Peak Pricing rate schedule, called the Flex Savings Option. Learn more about TOU

Which program is better: Net Metering Bridge or Residential Solar Choice?

Most customers will see higher savings on NMB. RSC has a monthly grid access charge for systems over 15 kW DC. Another notable difference is the way Time of Use is credited. Under NMB, TOU rates are optional.

• If NMB customers opt for TOU, Exported Energy will initially reduce Delivered Energy within the same TOU period. If any Exported Energy remains, it will be used to reduce Delivered Energy in the next lower-price TOU period.
• RSC customers are required to select Time of Use with Critical Peak Pricing. Exported Energy will net with Delivered Energy in the same time period. Any excess per TOU pricing period will be credited at the Net Excess Energy Credit rate of 3.4 - 4.5 cents per kWh, depending on the utility's current avoided cost rate.

How long can solar customers stay on the programs?

• Legacy Net Metering customers - moved to Net Metering Bridge (NMB) by January 1, 2027
• Net Metering Bridge (NMB) - up to 15 years from Interconnection application submission
• Residential Solar Choice (RSC) - at least 10 years from Interconnection application submission

What about the other battery incentive, PowerPair?

There was an additional PowerPair battery storage incentive in Duke NC, however, incentives have been fully allocated in Duke Energy Progress (DEP), and limited funds remain in Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) as of November 2025. Palmetto is unable to participate in PowerPair without additional funding allocations from the utility.