State Overview
North Carolina
National Solar Capacity Ranking: 4th
Data Current Through: Q2 2024
North Carolina State Solar Overview
North Carolina’s solar industry grew quickly thanks in part to the state’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) and strong state policy and regulatory support. Now a leader in utility-scale solar, the future is bright for solar in the Tar Heel state for many years to come. A 2017 law authorized solar leasing, giving a much-needed boost to residential solar companies and offering consumers more options to control their energy use.
SEIA North Carolina State Policy Priorities
- SEIA is engaged in Duke’s IRP docket, specifically advocating for solar+ storage as a cost-effective alternative to natural gas plants.
- SEIA continues to work on the ‘Southeast RTO’ study legislation that will mirror SEIA’s successful South Carolina effort.
- SEIA is also a formal stakeholder in a working group tasked to address PV recycling and possible rulemaking around utility-scale solar and energy storage decommissioning.
- SEIA is engaged in education and advocacy around utility business model reform and market reform in North and South Carolina, engaging in the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM) proposal.
Just The Facts
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State
North Carolina
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Solar Installed (MW):
9,698
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State Ranking, Cumulative Capacity Installed:
4th
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State Ranking, Capacity Installed in 2023:
11th
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Enough Solar Installed to Power:
1,173,370 homes
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Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar:
9.33%
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Solar Jobs:
7,356
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Solar Companies in State:
259 (40 Manufacturers, 102 Installers/Developers, 117 Others)
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Total Solar Investment in State:
$13.3 billion
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Prices have fallen:
43% over the last 10 years
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Growth Projection and Ranking:
2688 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 24th)
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Number of Installations:
52,300
North Carolina State Solar Policy Resources
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DSIRE Incentives Database – North Carolina – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in North Carolina and across the United States
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NC Sustainable Energy Association – Learn about ways you can advocate for clean energy in North Carolina
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North Carolina Energy Division – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
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North Carolina General Assembly – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in North Carolina
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North Carolina Utilities Commission – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of North Carolina public utilities
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North Carolina Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in North Carolina, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Solar Panel Cost in North Carolina – Learn about the history of solar policy in North Carolina, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Solar Rebates & Incentives in North Carolina – Check out EnergySage’s list of key solar incentives in North Carolina to see what programs you can benefit from
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U.S. Energy Information Administration – North Carolina State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
Garysburg
Gutenberg Project
Meta, Fifth Third Bank and Starbucks have all gone solar in North Carolina. Meta's 119 MW Gutenberg project in Garysburg is one of the largest solar projects in the state.
Battleboro
Fern Solar
At 134 MW, Fern Solar in Battleboro is among the largest solar installations in North Carolina. Completed by BayWa r.e. in 2020, this solar project has enough electric capacity to power more than 16,005 homes.
Roper
Albermarle Beach Solar
Albermarle Beach Solar in Roper was developed by SunEnergy and came online in 2020. This 150.6 MW project produces enough electricity to power 17,988 homes.
