Solar Panel Costs in North Carolina (2026)
Avg cost: $2.75/watt | 5 sun hours/day | Good
North Carolina Solar Overview
$2.75/W
Cost Per Watt
5 hrs
Peak Sun Hours
9,500 MW
Installed Capacity
Good
Solar Rating
A typical 7 kW residential system in North Carolina costs $18,095 before the federal tax credit and $12,667 after. With 5 peak sun hours per day, the system produces approximately 10,220 kWh annually, saving an estimated $1,635/year. The payback period is approximately 7.7 years.
Net Metering in North Carolina
Available at retail rate for systems under 1 MW
State Incentives & Tax Credits
Federal ITC (30%)
Save $5,429 on a 7 kW system. Available through 2032.
North Carolina State Incentive
Property tax exemption for solar; Duke Energy rebate programs
Solar Service Costs in North Carolina
| Service | Low | High | NC Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar Installation | $14,100 | $28,200 | $21,150 |
| Commercial Solar Installation | $47,000 | $188,000 | $94,000 |
| Battery Storage Installation | $4,700 | $14,100 | $9,400 |
| Solar Panel Removal | $1,410 | $4,700 | $2,820 |
| Solar Panel Cleaning | $141 | $564 | $282 |
| Inverter Replacement | $940 | $3,290 | $1,880 |
| Solar Roof Tiles | $37,600 | $70,500 | $51,700 |
| Solar Water Heater | $2,820 | $6,580 | $4,700 |
Top Solar Installers in North Carolina
- 8MSolar
- Freedom Solar
- Sunrun
- Yes Solar Solutions
Always verify NABCEP certification, state licensing, insurance, and customer reviews. Get at least 3 written quotes.