State Overview
North Carolina
National Solar Capacity Ranking: 5th
National Storage Capacity Ranking: 18th
Updated June 2026
North Carolina State Solar Overview
North Carolina’s solar industry has grown rapidly, supported by early policies like the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard and continued regulatory support. The state is now a national leader in utility-scale solar, with ongoing growth driven by more recent policy frameworks such as House Bill 951, which requires carbon reduction planning and increased deployment of clean energy resources. Solar leasing, authorized in 2017, continues to support residential market expansion. North Carolina’s SB266, passed in 2025 via a legislative veto override, rolls back clean energy targets in a move that analysts warn could cost ratepayers up to $23 billion through 2050, shift more costs onto residential customers, and derail the state’s progress toward carbon neutrality.
SEIA North Carolina State Policy Priorities
- SEIA is actively engaged in Duke Energy’s IRP proceedings, advocating for solar plus storage as a cost-effective way to scale up energy supply.
- SEIA continues to support regional market development efforts, including engagement with the Southeast Energy Exchange Market and broader discussions around market reform in the Southeast.
- SEIA is also involved in stakeholder processes addressing PV recycling, decommissioning, and long-term regulatory frameworks for solar and storage development.
North Carolina Major Solar and Storage Projects
SEIA’s Major Solar and Storage Projects List is a database of all U.S. ground-mounted solar projects, 1 MW and above, that are either operating, under construction or under development.
Official SEIA State Affiliate
Just The Facts
- Solar Installed (MW):
10,093 MWdc
- Storage Capacity
873 MWh
- National Ranking:
5th (22nd in 2025 additions)
- Enough Solar Installed to Power:
1,219,084 homes
- Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar:
10.14%
- Solar Jobs:
7,500
- Solar Companies in State:
254 (48 Manufacturers, 88 Installers/Developers, 118 Others)
- Total Solar Investment in State:
$15.3 billion
- Growth Projection and Ranking:
3,279 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 25th)
- Number of Installations:
60,755
North Carolina State Solar Policy Resources
- DSIRE Incentives Database – North Carolina – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in North Carolina and across the United States
- NC Sustainable Energy Association – Learn about ways you can advocate for clean energy in North Carolina
- North Carolina Energy Division – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
- 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
- North Carolina Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in North Carolina, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
- 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
- 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
- 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
North Carolina Energy Storage Policy and Market Overview
North Carolina is advancing energy storage through coordinated regulatory and utility action, with a strong focus on pairing storage with its large and growing solar market.
Duke Energy and state regulators continue to shape the market through IRP processes, pilot programs, and tariff structures that support both front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter storage.
North Carolina is also seeing growth in energy storage manufacturing and workforce development, alongside regulatory efforts focused on interconnection, transparency, and end-of-life management. These combined efforts position the state for future storage expansion as deployment begins to scale.
North Carolina Energy Storage Policy Resources
- Duke Energy PowerPair –Duke Energy’s Solar + Battery home incentives. Calculate your potential incentive amount, and check out the PowerPair, and PowerPair + Power Manager Battery Control tiers.
- Accelerating Clean Energy (ACE) Tariffs –Duke Energy’s plan to enforce reduced tariff rate structures for large commercial and industrial customers to invest in long-duration storage.
- NC Sustainable Energy Association – SEIA’s state regional affiliate focusing on renewable energy and energy storage research and advocacy.
- North Carolina 2022 Carbon Plan – North Carolina Utilities Commission order to adopt utility carbon and future electricity planning.
- DSIRE North Carolina Energy Storage Policy Database – Clearinghouse for financial incentives, regulations, and rebates for energy storage and lithium-ion technologies in North Carolina and across the United States.
- Energy Storage Cost in North Carolina – Up-to-date storage and solar-plus-storage pricing and find installers in North Carolina on EnergySage.
- North Carolina General Assembly – Pending, passed, and historical legislation affecting energy storage and battery systems, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in North Carolina.
- North Carolina Utilities Commission – Governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of North Carolina public utilities, search for regulatory dockets, programs, and initiatives.
Data References
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