Raleigh, NC Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Raleigh
If you live in Raleigh and have watched your power bill climb, you’re not alone. Electricity prices in North Carolina have increased 24% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners looking for a smarter way to power their homes. Solar installation offers a way to take control of your energy and depend less on your utility company.
The good news? Raleigh’s sunny climate makes it a great place for solar. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about installing home solar panels in Raleigh, so you can decide if it’s right for you.
NORTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
- 18th Most residential solar in the United States
- 51 Households have installed solar panels
- 5.1 Avg peak sun hours per day
- ~$64k Raleigh average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Raleigh, NC?
See real solar costs for your Raleigh home, built from our actual local installation data. This calculator reflects firsthand pricing from projects across Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner. Enter a few details to get a clear, honest estimate for your neighborhood—no guesswork, just real numbers from your area.
Lease Cash Purchase
| System Size | Description |
|---|---|
| Small Home | Up to 2,000 sq ft |
| Medium Home | 2,000-3,000 sq ft |
| Large Home | Over 3,000 sq ft |
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in North Carolina.
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
- System Cost: $24,802
- Price per Watt: $2.78
- Final Cost: $24,802
Savings
- Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction $146
- Payback Period: Break-even point 11.8 years
- 25-Year Savings: $63,935
Key Takeaways
- Electricity prices in North Carolina rose 24% from 2020 to 2024, so Raleigh homeowners are turning to solar to gain more predictable energy costs.
- Raleigh gets 5.1 peak sun hours per day, making it a great place for solar, with average savings of about $64,000 over 25 years.
- North Carolina still offers solar incentives like a 100% property tax exemption and net metering, plus leasing options that require no upfront cost.
Raleigh Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in North Carolina keep rising, and the trend is clear. Electricity prices in North Carolina rose from 11.3 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024. That’s roughly a 24% increase in just three years for Raleigh homeowners.
Solar installation in Raleigh offers a way to gain more control over your energy costs. By generating your own power, you rely less on the grid and its ever-changing rates.
Price of Energy: North Carolina vs National Average
| Year | North Carolina Price (¢) | US Average (¢) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11.3 | 13.7 |
| 2022 | 11.6 | 15.0 |
| 2023 | 12.9 | 16.0 |
| 2024 | 14.1 | 16.5 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861
Raleigh Area Utility Providers
In Raleigh, most homes are served by Duke Energy. In 2023, its residential rates averaged between 11.9¢ and 14.2¢ per kWh, close to North Carolina’s 12.9¢ state average and below the 16.0¢ national average.
Raleigh Utilities Electricity Rates
| Utility Provider | Rate (¢) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | 14.20 | -11% |
| Duke Energy | 11.90 | -26% |
| NC Average | 12.90 | -19% |
| US Average | 16.0 | — |
Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861
North Carolina Solar Incentives
Going solar in Raleigh costs less than you might expect. Several solar incentives in North Carolina can help offset your investment.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Battery Control Programs | Rebate | Duke Energy offers ongoing monthly bill credits of up to $92/month ($1,100/year) to residential battery storage customers who allow Duke to remotely dispatch their battery during peak grid events. | Learn More |
| North Carolina Net Metering & Solar Export Programs | Net Metering | North Carolina offers net metering and solar export credit programs through its major utilities, with terms varying significantly by utility and rate rider. | Learn More |
| North Carolina Residential Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | North Carolina provides a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value created by a residential solar installation, so homeowners pay no additional property taxes due to solar. | Learn More |
| Federal Business Solar Investment Tax Credit | Tax Credit | Businesses installing solar energy systems can claim a 30% federal Investment Tax Credit on the full cost of the system, with no cap on system size, for systems installed through the end of 2027. | Learn More |
| Federal Residential Battery Storage Tax Credit | Tax Credit | Homeowners can claim a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of a standalone battery storage system (minimum 3 kWh capacity) through 2032, provided it is charged exclusively by co-located solar. | Learn More |
| Tesla Powerwall Rebate | Rebate | Tesla is offering a $500 direct rebate for Powerwall battery storage systems contracted before June 30, 2026. This rebate is applied directly by Tesla and does not require going through a utility or government program. |
Raleigh Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Raleigh enjoys plenty of sunshine, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. While summer storms and shorter winter days affect output, Raleigh’s climate makes it a genuinely great place for solar year-round.
Solar Production in Raleigh by Month
| System Size | 5 kW | 7 kW | 10 kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight Hours | |||
| Energy Production (kWh/day) |
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts data; Raleigh, NC
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
- 44.4 kWh/day
- In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.0 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 14 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 4.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
- 25.6 kWh/day
- In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 1.7 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 12 hours
- or Fully charge 2.6 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
- 13,923 kWh/year
- Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 167 trees
Solar Panel Systems in Raleigh
We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how many homes in your Raleigh community have switched to solar. Click any hexagon to discover how many of your neighbors are already powering their homes with clean energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Raleigh, most homes are served by Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolinas, and the good news is that solar leasing is available through both. That means you can go solar without paying the full cost upfront.
With a LightReach lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount instead of buying the system outright. Palmetto owns and maintains the panels, so you skip the large investment and never handle repairs yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Raleigh, NC have net metering? Yes, but the terms depend on your utility. Most Raleigh homes are served by Duke Energy Progress, which now places new solar customers on the Residential Solar Choice rate.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Raleigh, NC? Yes, purchased solar panels can increase your Raleigh home’s value.
How much does it cost to go solar in Raleigh, NC? Many Raleigh homeowners go solar with a LightReach lease, starting around $103 per month with no upfront cost.
Do solar panels work in Raleigh, NC’s climate? Yes. Raleigh averages 5.1 peak sun hours per day with plenty of sunshine.