In North Carolina, rooftop solar is alive and well despite headwinds

Rooftop solar in North Carolina took a hit after last year's federal law eliminated the 30% tax credit for homeowners who buy panels outright. New installations dropped by two-thirds between late 2025 and early this year. But installers say business is picking back up, thanks to new ways of financing panels that don't depend on that lost credit.

The big shift is leasing. Businesses can still claim a 30% tax credit for solar equipment through at least the end of next year, and companies that lease panels to homeowners (rather than sell them) can pass those savings along. Some installers now offer leases directly, while others partner with third-party leasing companies. The result: many homeowners can get solar with little or no money down and start saving on their electric bill right away. Adding battery storage can sweeten the deal further — Duke Energy customers who let the utility tap their home battery a few dozen times a year through programs called EnergyWise Home or Power Manager get a monthly payment, often around $50. Rising electric rates are also pushing more people toward solar, since Duke bills have climbed over 20% in five years, with more increases proposed.

Leasing may not stick around if federal and state tax rules change, and Duke's credit for solar households' excess power is set to shrink again on January 1, 2027. Still, installers say demand is strong enough that they're seeing record sales despite the rockier market.