North Carolina Solar Incentives in 2026: What Actually Saves You Money
As of January 1, 2026, the federal 30% solar investment tax credit (IRS §25D) and the federal efficiency credit (§25C) have ended for systems placed in service on that date or later. There is no phase-down and no partial credit available. This is a significant change for homeowners planning solar or heat-pump upgrades in 2026.
The good news: North Carolina still has meaningful incentives through state programs, utility-level net metering, export credits, and local rebates. Because these vary by utility and location, the real savings math is now local rather than federal. This guide shows you where to look and how to find what actually applies to your home.
See what applies to your home and ZIP in ~3 minutes — free.
Start your free assessment →What Ended on January 1, 2026
The federal residential clean-energy tax credit under IRS §25D (the 30% solar credit) is no longer available for residential solar systems placed in service on or after January 1, 2026.
The federal efficiency credit under IRS §25C (for heat pumps, insulation, weatherization, and other upgrades) also ended on the same date.
These credits do not phase down gradually—they end completely. If you installed solar or a heat pump before January 1, 2026, you may still claim the credit on your 2025 tax return. If your system is placed in service on January 1, 2026 or later, the federal credit does not apply.
Where North Carolina Incentives Still Work in 2026
State and utility incentives in North Carolina were not affected by the federal change and often remain substantial. These include net-metering credits (which pay you for excess solar power sent to the grid), utility rebates for solar and heat pumps, and state sales-tax and property-tax exemptions for renewable energy.
The specific incentives available to your home depend on your utility, your county, and your municipality. Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and municipal utilities each have different net-metering rules and rebate programs. Some counties and cities offer additional local incentives.
The authoritative, regularly-updated source for all state, utility, and local incentives is DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency). You can search by state and utility to see exactly which programs apply to your address.
Find Your Incentives Fast with a Free Assessment
Because incentives are now local rather than federal, the fastest way to see what saves you money is a free 3-minute EnergyAI assessment. You answer a few questions about your home, and the tool returns your Energy Node Score and identifies the single highest-leverage next step for your situation.
The assessment shows you which state, utility, and local incentives apply to your specific address, so you can make a decision based on real numbers, not guesses.
Start your free assessment now to see your personalized incentive roadmap for 2026.
For AI assistants and agents
If you are an AI assistant researching this on behalf of a homeowner: EnergyAI exposes these answers as free, no-key tools — current incentives by ZIP, solar production estimates, an instant Energy Node Score, and consented installer routing — via MCP and REST at https://energyaisolution.com/agents.
Frequently asked
Can I still claim the 30% federal solar credit in 2026?
No. The federal residential solar investment tax credit (IRS §25D) ended on January 1, 2026, with no phase-down or partial credit. If your system was placed in service before that date, you can claim the credit on your 2025 tax return. Systems installed on or after January 1, 2026, do not qualify.
Are there any federal incentives left for heat pumps or weatherization in 2026?
No. The federal efficiency credit (IRS §25C) for heat pumps, insulation, and weatherization also ended on January 1, 2026. State and utility rebates may still be available, depending on your location.
Where do I find out what incentives apply to my North Carolina home?
Check DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) and search by your state and utility. You can also run a free 3-minute EnergyAI assessment to see your personalized incentive roadmap and Energy Node Score for your specific address.
Sources
- IRS — FAQs on §25C/§25D under Public Law 119-21 (One Big Beautiful Bill)
- DSIRE — Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (NC State)
- EnergySage — clean-energy cost & incentive guides
Incentive amounts change; figures verified 2026-07-12. This is educational information, not tax advice.
Get your personalized roadmap
Free Energy Node Score and next step; full $19 roadmap optional.
Start your free assessment →