Solar Quotes in Hickory, NC

If Duke Energy Carolinas is your utility

• Duke Energy Carolinas' Residential Solar Choice rider (RSC) requires a time-of-use rate with critical peak pricing (Schedule RSTC or RETC) and caps systems at 20 kW AC or your estimated maximum monthly demand, whichever is less. Net excess energy is credited at 4.53¢ per kWh, with a $0.99/kW non-bypassable charge and a $22 monthly minimum bill. Source: https://www.duke-energy.com/-/media/pdfs/for-your-home/rates/electric-nc/ncriderrsc.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
• The NC Public Staff says Rider RSC took effect October 1, 2023; Rider NMB, a limited alternative that doesn't require the time-of-use with critical peak pricing rate, is open to a limited number of customers each year. Source: https://publicstaff.nc.gov/public-staff-divisions/energy-division/electric-section/net-metering (accessed 2026-10-20)
• Duke Energy Carolinas' Rider NMB (Net Metering Bridge, effective September 1, 2026) credits monthly net excess energy at 4.53¢/kWh, adds a $0.99 per kW monthly Non-Bypassable Charge, and has a $22 monthly minimum bill for customer and distribution costs. Source: https://p-cd.duke-energy.com/-/media/pdfs/for-your-home/rates/electric-nc/ncridernmb.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
• The N.C. Public Staff says Duke's residential Rider NM closed to new customers September 30, 2023, replaced by Residential Solar Choice (Rider RSC) and Net Metering Bridge (Rider NMB). RSC adds a minimum monthly bill and non-bypassable charges. Source: https://publicstaff.nc.gov/electric/net-metering (accessed 2026-10-20)

A note on the federal tax credit

The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.

Questions to ask

1. Which Duke Energy Carolinas net metering or export rule will my system be on, and what is the current credit rate?
2. How did you size the system against my last 12 months of usage, and what export share did you assume?
3. Who files the interconnection application, and how long does permission to operate usually take here?
4. What's included in the price (permits, inspections, monitoring), and what warranties cover panels, inverter and workmanship?

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