Going solar in North Carolina

Homeowners in the Haywood EMC service area may be entitled to special financing on energy efficiency improvements. Eligible projects for a loan will vary from time to time. Currently, loans may fund insulation/weatherization, windows, central/room HVAC, generators, water heaters, heat pumps, ENERGY STAR certified appliances, and new solar PV/HVAC/water heaters. The maximum available principal is $35,000 at variable APR. As of 2021, interest is 3.90% on a 120-month repayment plan. Standard credit checks apply. Additional information is available from the HEMC website.

Residential and business customers of the South River Electric Membership Corporation may be entitled to rebates on new solar water heaters. The rebate amount will depend on the size and rated capacity of solar collectors. To qualify, both the solar panels and the heating module should meet Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) standards. The system should be interconnected to the grid and have safety controls to prevent both overheating and freezing. Once a customer purchases and installs their system, they have 90 days to schedule a final utility inspection and thus claim their rebate. Additional information is available from the SREMC website.

Builders in Asheville may be eligible for rebates if they meet certain green construction standards or use energy-efficient equipment. Incentives will be disbursed as partial permit fee refunds. Eligible projects will vary from time to time. Currently, rebate offers are available for formal ENERGY STAR/LEED certification, state certification through Green Built/HealthyBuilt North Carolina, solar/geothermal/wind energy systems, solar/geothermal HVAC, and stormwater reclamation systems. Additional information is available from the Asheville website.

North Carolina has both a renewable portfolio standard and an energy efficiency portfolio standard; together, they are referred to as "REPS". As of 2021, standard benchmarks require at least 12.5% of the state's retail energy to be generated from renewable sources. At least 60% of standard investment must be through new renewable energy; the remainder can be used for energy efficiency projects. Carve-outs require renewable investment to include a required proportion of solar and poultry/swine waste technologies. Compliance is measured through a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) system pegging a fixed amount of electricity to a variable dollar value. To meet their portion of the standard, utilities must either purchase credits from customers through net metering or generate them using their own renewable energy facilities. Credits expire after three years. Additional information is available from the North Carolina Utilities Commission website.

Residential customers of the Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation may be eligible for solar or wind net metering. Hydroelectric net metering may be available for systems rated below 25 kW. Parties to a net metering contract will be compensated for their net excess generation (NEG) at the full retail rate; however, they may be subject to higher facilities charges and minimum bills. Additional information is available from the BREMC website.

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the city of Carrboro may be eligible for special financing from the local government to support energy efficiency improvements. Eligible projects for a loan include lighting, insulation/weatherization, appliances, and some solar water heaters or photovoltaic arrays. The maximum available principal is $1500. Interest rates may vary but are currently 3% with a 10-year repayment plan. The loan application requires copies of all energy bills for the prior year and energy audits from a city representative or solar contractor. Additional information is available from the city website.

Certain public-sector construction in Durham County must abide by certain green building standards. The county's current goal for 2030 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from a 2005 baseline. New municipal buildings and some remodeling projects between 4,000 and 10,000 square feet should meet at least LEED Silver standards and pursue formal certification from the US Green Building Council. Buildings over 10,000 square feet in size should meet or exceed LEED Gold standards. Maintenance and improvements on existing buildings should use as many LEED principles as possible. Additional information is available from the county website.

Residential customers of the Four-County Electric Membership Corporation may be entitled to rebates on large appliances. Available rebate offers will vary from time to time. Currently, a flat $50 incentive may be claimed for new fridge/freezers, washer/dryers, dishwashers, and heat pumps at or over 16 SEER. It does not matter whether the appliance is completely new or if it will replace an older unit. To apply, proof of purchase is required. Additional information is available from the FCEMC website.

NOTE: Applications are no longer accepted for small solar devices. NC GreenPower is a public incentive program administered by the state government in partnership with private utilities. The program effectively creates a large-scale power purchasing agreement (PPA) for owners of solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric systems not participating in a net metering contract. Participants will receive compensation for the energy they produce and export to the grid at a fixed per-kilowatt rate. Rate schedules depend on what technology is used to generate the energy. Additional information is available through the NC GreenPower website.

Special fee incentives and permit processes are available to builders in Catawba County who follow sustainable design practices. Any new home or commercial building in the county that meets the requirements for ENERGY STAR, LEED, or an equivalent nationally recognized certification will be rebated 25% of all permit fees up to $500. Builders are not required to pursue formal certification for the structure; however, if they do formally certify the property, they may receive a 50% rebate on permit fees. Existing homes and commercial properties, while not eligible for the LEED program, can still earn a 50% permit fee rebate on new solar or geothermal energy projects.

The city of Asheville is resolved to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from a 2001 baseline, with a 2% reduction in emissions each year. Toward this goal, the city council passed an ordinance requiring new municipal construction to meet certain green building standards. Any new occupied municipal building up to 5,000 square feet in size should satisfy the requirements for LEED Silver certification and pursue formal certification from the US Green Building Council. Buildings over 5,000 square feet should instead meet or exceed LEED Gold standards. Remodeling projects for existing facilities are not subject to a minimum LEED level, but they should nonetheless make use of as many energy-saving techniques and devices as possible. Exceptions or less strict requirements may apply if the city cannot recoup the building's cost through its energy savings.