On March 23, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) issued final orders in its net metering “Smart $aver” docket. The Commission approved a three-year glide path for solar customers to transition from monthly credits to a more dynamic time-of-use rate structure that incentivizes the use of solar when it is most valuable.
The order also directs Duke Energy to open a solar + storage program within 90 days, approves a $0.36/watt incentive to go solar and approves another monetary incentive to encourage residential energy storage installations.
“This order is a step forward for North Carolina’s rooftop solar market that preserves the ability of residents to choose the power that works for them. North Carolina has boasted a strong utility-scale solar market for years while its rooftop solar industry has lagged. The solar and storage industry thanks the NCUC for approving a glide path that ensures monthly crediting for solar customers through 2026 and provides critical certainty for current customers and those considering going solar,” said Will Giese, Southeast Regional Director for SEIA in a press statement.
“The commission’s approval of a monetary incentive to install solar and storage is a smart, innovative approach, setting the bar for other states in the region to consider the benefits of these technologies for strengthening energy security in the face of extreme weather,” he continued. “SEIA will continue to advocate for policies that open the market for solar installations of all sizes and strengthens energy choice for North Carolinians.”
News item from SEIA