Going Solar in Cary, North Carolina
Have you ever been sitting at La Farm Bakery and wondered “Man, I really should fire my power company?” Maybe you’ve entertained the idea over a beer at Bond Brothers or Fortnight Brewing Company, but didn’t dig any deeper because you’ve heard “it just isn’t worth it.” Well, let’s set the record straight once and for all!
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA,) North Carolina:
- Ranks 3rd in the nation for solar power.
- Has enough solar power being produced to power over 782,000 homes.
- Receives over 200 sun-filled days each year.
- The cost of going solar has dropped by 45% over the last 5 years.
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! We’re talking incentives. We’re talking money back. We’re talking saving money and making money at the same time. How is that even a thing? We’re glad you asked!
Incentives for Residents of Cary, North Carolina to go Solar
The Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The ITC, or the solar tax credit, can offset the cost of your residential solar panel array by 30%.* That’s right: 30% of your ENTIRE purchase of home solar panels (backup battery included) will be given back to you as a tax credit from the government the following year. The other good news about that is, if you don’t use all the credit that first year, the remainder rolls over to the next. (This is the whole “money back” thing we mentioned above!)
The 30% tax rate is available until the end of 2032. Once 2033 arrives, the rate gets reduced to 26% and in 2034 it drops to 22%.** So, if you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck, you may want to consider going solar in Cary sooner rather than later.
Net Metering
Net metering is the utility company’s standard for measuring how much power your solar panels generate and send BACK to the grid. If your solar panels generate more power than your house uses in a day, the excess power is fed into your local power grid, and the power company pays you for that excess power, typically as credits towards your account.
That means, over time, credits you’ve earned could reduce your power bill to near-zero, and possibly keep it there! (You know, the “saving money” thing we talked about already.)
Those credits can also come in handy when the sun goes down at night, or if you have a particularly cloudy day (and don’t have a backup battery,) you can draw on those credits and not come out-of-pocket for power used.
The three utility companies that offer net metering in North Carolina are:
- Duke Energy
- Progress Energy
- Dominion North Carolina Power
Solar Rebates
Duke Energy offers one of the most robust rebate programs IN THE NATION for its customers that decide to go solar. For homeowners, the program offers a $0.60/Watt rebate for systems up to 10 kilowatts. So, for example – an average 6 kilowatt (kW) system would be eligible for a rebate of $3,600.
There is a minor catch to this rebate, though; Duke only avails so many rebate dollars at a time, and they have (at the time of publication of this page) run out of funds for the first half of 2021. BUT — there is a wait list, so if you decide to go solar like, soon, then get on it and they’ll get you the rebate when it becomes available again this year!
North Carolina Solar Access Law
Many people have concerns about their HOAs or COAs restricting their ability to go solar. Well, the good news is, according to North Carolina Senate Bill 670, there is no way any of these bodies can deny you the ability to go solar. At all. Period.
However, HOAs or COAs can have bylaws or regulations that may restrict the location of your solar array on your property. Commonly, HOAs make requests to have the location of the array not visible from the road or some common area/s of your neighborhood.
BUT, if the location they’re requesting impacts the efficiency of your solar array (their preferred location is shaded or north-facing,) their request/bylaw/regulation is absolutely illegal, and you have the right to have the array installed in an area that provides the maximum amount of efficiency.
State Property Tax Exemption
One of the popular selling points of going solar is, yes, it will absolutely increase the value of your home. MORE good news is residents of Cary and the whole of North Carolina do NOT have to pay any more taxes on that added value. At all. (When and if you sell your solar-powered home, you’ll make some more money, like we mentioned before!)
Let’s Bring It All Home
Between the solar federal tax credit, the net metering, the property tax break, not to mention the over 200 sunny days in Cary, North Carolina — there doesn’t seem to be a better time to go solar than now.
That being said, at ADT Solar we are dedicated to providing you with nothing less than the best. The best customer service, the best purchasing experience, the best warranties and the best installation experience. With each solar installation, you also receive:
- 25 Year Labor Warranty
- 25 Year Production Guarantee
- 25 Year Solar Panel Manufacturer Warranty
- 25 Year Enphase Microinverter Warranty
- Thousands of happy homeowners
- Roof replacement if needed
- A FREE energy audit to ensure your house is as efficient as your new solar panels.
ADT Solar: Cary NC Solar Panel Installation Company
So if you’re living in Cary and are interested in going solar, feel free to reach out to us and speak to one of our expert consultants. We’re here to answer questions you may have about any of the incentives offered in North Carolina or about making the switch to solar in general.
Free Solar QuoteSee What Our Customers Are Saying
First, of the several solar companies I contacted the most professional to get a bid from was [ADT Solar]. The sales rep was excellent explaining the costs, expectations and timelines. Next, after deciding to move forward I was assigned a project manager as a contact point. The advantage of this was to help work with me to simplify many moving parts. I confess to asking them to do some challenging things that they had not done before. From the Regional Manager Steve and electrician Marcel to many installers their response was uniformly competent and accommodating. It was a complex process that they made uncomplicated. Now every day of sunshine is a great day!
– Cynara M.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Google Review
January 4th, 2021
Click here to read more customer reviews!
*Tax and credits or incentives including those provided by federal, state, or local governments may change or end. This can impact the amount of money you might save. Consult a tax professional to understand any tax liability or eligibility for any tax credits that may result from the purchase of your solar system.
**If you have taxable income and own the system, you may qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). It is your responsibility to determine your eligibility and to apply. Consult a qualified tax professional for assistance and details.
