North Carolina net metering: how Duke Energy credits your solar in 2026

North Carolina’s net metering law is one of the strongest in the Southeast, requiring Duke Energy and Dominion Energy to credit residential solar at the full retail rate. Understanding how each Duke Energy division handles credits — and the difference between Duke Energy Carolinas (western NC) and Duke Energy Progress (eastern NC) — helps NC homeowners plan accurately.

Duke Energy Carolinas (western NC)

Duke Energy Carolinas serves Charlotte, Asheville, Gastonia, Concord, Kannapolis, and western North Carolina. Full retail-rate net metering applies at Duke Energy Carolinas’ residential rate of approximately $0.12 to $0.14/kWh. Credits roll forward monthly; annual surplus credit treatment is specified in your interconnection agreement. Interconnection: 6 to 10 weeks for residential systems.

Duke Energy Progress (eastern NC)

Duke Energy Progress serves Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Greenville, Rocky Mount, and eastern North Carolina. Full retail-rate net metering at similar rate levels to Carolinas. Duke Energy Progress has an extensive residential solar interconnection program with similar 6 to 10 week timelines.

Dominion Energy NC

Dominion Energy North Carolina serves northeastern NC, including parts of the Outer Banks region. Dominion also offers net metering under NC law. Rates and program details: contact Dominion for current terms in your specific service area.

NC: a strong Southeast net metering leader

North Carolina’s retail-rate net metering is what sets it apart from Georgia, which offers only avoided-cost net metering. NC homeowners earn full retail value from every kilowatt-hour of solar production, whether self-consumed or exported. This difference, compounded over 25 years, is the primary reason NC has far more installed residential solar than Georgia despite similar sun resources.