North Carolina’s net metering policy is about to change: Here’s what you need to know

If you look at the best solar and renewable energy markets in the U.S., they all have one thing in common: a strong net metering program. Net energy metering – or NEM – allows you to earn credits for any excess solar electricity you send to the grid when your solar panel system generates more than you need. North Carolina has one of the largest solar industries in the United States, ranking fourth in 2022 on SEIA’s list of the top solar states by installed megawatt capacity. However, on March 23, 2023, the North Carolina Utilities Commission approved new net metering rules that will lower solar savings for Duke Energy customers.

The changes to net metering in North Carolina are nowhere near as drastic as the recent changes in California but are still anticipated to reduce the average solar shopper’s savings by approximately 20 percent. Luckily, residents of North Carolina can lock in current net metering rates through 2026 by deciding to go solar and submitting a completed interconnection application by October 1, 2023. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about the changes to North Carolina’s net metering policy and the steps you need to take now to guarantee the best solar savings.

This article was updated on May 24, 2023 to reflect new developments and adjusted deadlines.

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What are the most efficient solar panels? Top brands in 2023

In the past years, solar technology has been making leaps and bounds toward higher solar cell efficiency, power output, and overall quality. Today, most top solar panels have conversion efficiencies above 20%, compared to their previous average of less than 15%. They also now mostly come with a warranty of 10-25 years, helping you feel more confident in the longevity of your purchase. It’s important to know what determines solar panel efficiency so your investment in solar can generate the most energy and ultimately save the most money on your electric bill.

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The SolarEdge Home Battery complete review

SolarEdge has long been a leader in the solar industry, offering some of the most popular inverters and DC power optimizers worldwide. The company launched its own home battery solution in October 2021, and less than two years later SolarEdge’s solar-plus-storage ‘Rate Saver’ solution serves to boost the value of solar investments in an increasingly self-consuming market. These new product launches are part of SolarEdge’s home energy solution called SolarEdge Home, designed to easily integrate solar-plus-storage with a number of SolarEdge smart home devices, including the SolarEdge Home Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger.

Storage is an integral part of the transition to smart electric homes and SolarEdge is joining the growing list of companies to release new solar battery technology. So how does SolarEdge’s Home Battery differ from these companies and what makes it unique?

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DIY solar panels: pros, cons and installation guide

Going solar has major financial benefits: it reduces your monthly electric bill and can even increase the value of your home. Tax incentives and rebates, like the federal tax credit for solar and local net metering rules, can reduce your net cost by 30%, but solar is still a big investment, and the price tag can result in sticker shock.

To save money, it’s no surprise that many homeowners are considering “do it yourself”, or DIY, solar. You can install solar panels yourself, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to doing it alone. In this article, we’ll break down the top pros and cons that you need to know about do-it-yourself solar panel systems before making a decision.

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String inverters vs. power optimizers vs. microinverters: what you need to know

As you consider a solar panel system for your home, one of the key decisions you need to make is the type of inverter to install. Inverters convert direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) electricity. Given the complex power electronics and software contained within, inverters are vital to the ongoing performance of your solar power system.

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California heat pump incentives: 2023 guide

Heat pumps—the energy-efficient, all-electric, extra-comfortable home heating and cooling technology—are a great fit for the mostly warm, not-so-humid climate in most of California. As of 2023, most Californians will qualify for at least a couple thousand dollars in incentives to install one of these environmentally friendly HVAC systems.

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Is solar still worth it under Net Metering 3?

Over the past few months, our primary goal at EnergySage was to support Californians in locking in higher solar savings before the Golden State’s net metering policy changed on April 15, 2023. A foundational solar policy, net metering is when your utility company compensates you for the excess electricity your system generates and sends to the grid. California’s new policy, Net Metering 3 (NEM 3) or the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), dropped the compensation rate by about 75% for new solar owners, compared to its former net metering policy, NEM 2.

We helped thousands of homeowners find the right solar installer and submit their applications to lock in NEM 2 rates for 20 years under the grandfathering clause, but installers received a historic number of requests, and some Californians didn’t meet the deadline. If you’re in this camp, or if you’re just starting the solar shopping process now, you might be wondering if solar is still worth it in California. Our resounding answer is yes, it’s still worth it, and there are two main steps you can take to get the most out of solar under NEM 3: get a battery and go solar this year.

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Looking to go solar? Here’s everything you need to know in 2023

Whether you want to save thousands on electric bills, lower your carbon footprint, or fully electrify your home, going solar is a great place to start. Adding solar panels to your home is an easy and popular way to boost your home’s value and energy savings.

While solar panels are certainly a sound long-term investment, they’re also a big purchase, so it’s important to be confident in your decision. We’ll explain how to determine if solar will work for your home–and how to get solar panels at the best price. (Spoiler alert: comparing quotes is the way to go.)

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Solar shingles: what you need to know in 2023

You don’t have to install solar panels on your roof to go solar – solar shingles are an innovative solar technology that can also help you save on your energy bills just like traditional solar panels. In this article, we’ll review the key differences between solar shingles, also called solar roof tiles, and their solar panel counterparts, as well as weigh the pros and cons of a solar shingle installation.

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We read FranklinWH’s battery warranty so you don’t have to

Let’s face it – warranties aren’t the easiest (or most gripping) documents to read. There are often a lot of details and fine print included that can be hard to digest, leaving many to wonder: what does the warranty actually cover? Am I vulnerable? Anything I might be missing?

To make it as easy as possible, we’ve read warranty documents for the top solar battery manufacturers, talked to them to confirm what is and isn’t included, and plan to point out the most important aspects of each in a series of articles. In this article, we’ll review the warranty from FranklinWH, a company that entered the storage industry in 2019.

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