Solar Panel Cost in North Carolina (2023 Local Savings Guide)
By Faith Wakefield /
Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide to the best solar installers in North Carolina:
The environmental benefits of home solar systems are nationally recognized, but many homeowners go solar because of the money it saves them on their energy bills. With a lower-than-average cost per watt and average lifetime savings of more than $20,000, many North Carolina residents have made the decision to switch to solar energy.
Whatever your reason may be for making the switch, the first step for North Carolinians is to find a trustworthy solar company to take on the installation. Instead of committing to the first solar company that gives you a quote, reach out to several of our best solar installers to compare quotes and find the right solar system for your home.
Here are the top six solar energy companies in North Carolina that we recommend starting with:
It’s not always easy to find a solar installer that’s right for your home solar system, which is why we sifted through all available solar companies in North Carolina and found the installers that we truly believe are the best. Check out our in-depth reviews in the drop-downs below.
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Industry expertise, best-in-class technology, robust warranties and affordable pricing make 8M Solar our top choice. Based in Wake Forest, 8M Solar is one of the best solar companies in North Carolina if you’re looking for a straightforward way to go green and decrease your monthly utility costs.
Consumers claim that this company offers excellent customer service, premium warranties and a wide product selection at a competitive price. In fact, 8M claims that its costs are, on average, 10% lower than competitor prices.
8M Solar has a responsive customer support team ready to answer questions and address customer needs. The technicians are also reportedly excellent communicators and keep homeowners up-to-date on their project’s timeline.
8M offers an excellent 25-year warranty that covers both equipment and workmanship. By meeting this critical industry standard, 8M Solar ensures that its clean energy solutions are installed correctly and last for the expected lifespan.
Limited financing options are a commonly reported downside of 8M Solar. Unlike larger companies, 8M Solar does not offer power purchase agreements (PPAs) or solar leases. Instead, homeowners must pay in cash or secure a solar loan. However, we like to note that companies have started to stop offering leases as solar financing begins to effectively bridge the affordability gap.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
5 |
A+ |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Removal & Reinstallation |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
NC Solar Now claims to have installed more solar panel systems in North Carolina than any other solar company, and it continues to be the reason why North Carolina has become a national leader in solar capacity. Along with responsive customer service, this solar provider also offers a wide range of solar products backed by comprehensive 25-year product warranties.
NC Solar Now has some of the most flexible pricing for residential and commercial properties, and the knowledgeable technicians ensure that each customer takes advantage of all available solar incentives and rebates.
It is locally owned and operated, so NC Solar Now knows exactly which solar panels are best for North Carolina homes. If you choose NC Solar Now, you will be assigned your own local expert who will work with you to find the best option for your home. This personalized touch is what makes this Raleigh-based company number two on our list.
Like many small solar businesses, NC Solar Now has a limited service area and has only a few options for solar panels available. Because of these limitations, North Carolina residents who want a specific brand of solar equipment – such as Tesla Powerwall battery – may need to look elsewhere for a solar installer.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers |
Pros
Cons
ADT Solar, formerly known as SunPro, is well-known in the solar community for its phenomenal comprehensive warranty plans. The industry standard for solar warranties is 25 years, but ADT takes this warranty above its competitors because it covers workmanship, production and the product itself. If anything should happen to your ADT solar system, there’s a good chance your warranty will cover it.
ADT is a national solar provider and has installed more than 55,000 home solar systems to date, so its industry expertise can help North Carolina homeowners find the right solar system for their needs.
It may not be the cheapest solar installation around, but ADT does have budget-friendly solar panel options in all price ranges. Consumers who ultimately chose ADT over other solar companies claim that although ADT’s solar panels are more expensive, the company does offer the best value.
Many positive consumer reviews rave about the friendliness, knowledge and above-and-beyond customer service displayed by ADT technicians and sales team. ADT solar consultants make sure consumers are kept informed about their solar project from start to finish, so you will never have to wonder when your solar system will be installed.
Because ADT is such a large company, it may be difficult to contact your sales representative after solar panel installation. Some ADT customers report a lack of follow-up after their panels have been installed, and others have requested solar panel maintenance and were met with long wait times and unresponsive representatives.
Read our full review of ADT Solar.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4 |
A- |
2008 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Silfab, Panasonic and others depending on location |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Pros
Cons
Blue Raven Solar’s mission is to improve the lives of North Carolina homeowners by eliminating their electric bills and decreasing their reliance on non-renewable energy. This company’s comprehensive solar energy service, including surveying, solar panel system design, installation and solar monitoring, makes it an excellent choice for homeowners on a budget.
Blue Raven is owned and operated by SunPower, and the company continues to grow and expand. This company is also partnered with GivePower, a global nonprofit organization that uses solar power to help underserved communities access clean water. When you choose Blue Raven solar panels, you become part of the movement to improve the planet.
A key feature that sets Blue Raven apart from its competitors is its unique in-house financing option. Blue Raven may not have solar leases or power purchase agreements, but it does have its own BluePower Plus+ program that gives consumers 18 months of free solar and access to the federal solar tax credit (ITC). This program combines the best aspects of the PPA, but the main difference is that you own your solar panels, not Blue Raven.
As a company that is and continues to grow rapidly, Blue Raven may not be able to keep up with consumer demand and customer needs. Some customer reviews claim poor communication from Blue Raven after solar panel installation, but this may depend on geographical location and may not be an issue for North Carolina customers.
Check out our full review of Blue Raven Solar.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2014 |
$$ |
Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Covenant Solar & Roofing, also known as Covenant Solar Tech, is a reliable choice for high-quality workmanship on your North Carolina home. For those who need a new roof and want rooftop solar energy options, Covenant offers a full spectrum of services and boasts immaculate customer reviews.
Covenant Solar values community partnership, so it has partnered with Habitat for Humanity since 2018 and has donated solar panel systems as a tribute to the North Carolina community. Because this company is Raleigh-based, it is very knowledgeable about the area and can recommend the best solar panels for your southern home.
One characteristic that stands out from customer reviews is Covenant Solar’s honesty, integrity and commitment to solar education over upselling. It may be because these characteristics are the company’s values, but each seems evident due to numerous happy customers and positive reviews.
Covenant is a smaller solar company, so it has limited service areas and may not reach every city in North Carolina. The company is also not able to offer diverse solar financing options, so you will have to pay upfront for your solar system in cash or finance a solar loan.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Solar Roof Shingles, EV Chargers, Roofing Services |
Pros
Cons
Because SunPower is a leader in the solar industry, North Carolinians can always expect a positive experience from SunPower. SunPower has received more than 1,000 patents for its solar innovations and continues to develop the industry’s best solar energy solutions.
SunPower’s Maxeon solar panels are among the most efficient solar panels around, so anyone who chooses these solar panels will see massive savings on their energy bills. Plus, these solar panels were the first to become Cradle to Cradle certified, so homeowners who care about the entire lifespan of their panels can rest assured knowing that these panels are more environmentally friendly than the norm.
As the most experienced company on our list, SunPower has more than 35 years of solar installation experience and claims to offer installs of solar panels in all 50 states. All of this experience has led to the best solar design technology, and SunPower’s custom design studio and knowledgeable local technicians make sure your solar system is customized for your North Carolina home.
The major downside of SunPower Solar is its cost. Because SunPower’s panels boast the best energy efficiency on the solar market, these panels do tend to be the most expensive. North Carolina does get an average of 213 days of sunlight each year, so you may not need the most energy-efficient panels on the market to power your home.
Read our full review of SunPower Solar.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
5 |
A+ |
1985 |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
SunPower Panels |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Renu Energy Solutions is a reputable solar installer with over a decade of experience in the Carolinas. We like that it’s a locally-owned business that provides a variety of solar services and products, including solar energy storage, EV charges and Tesla solar roof installations.
On top of a variety of services, Renu also offers a solid range of high-quality solar equipment brands, like Tesla, LG, REC and Enphase. Its knowledgeable staff is not only well-versed in going solar in North Carolina, but also highly qualified in the industry. The company holds certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and ensures all of its electricians and contractors are properly licensed.
We found that Renu is fairly priced compared to other NC solar installers. And with top-notch equipment and reportedly strong customer service, you’re paying a good value with Renu. Unfortunately, Renu does not accept leases or PPAs, which may be a dealbreaker for some homeowners. However, we don’t typically recommend solar leasing, and Renu does offer in-house loans — including a $0-down option — with low-interest rates, making Renu a more accessible solar option.
In our opinion, Renu’s biggest disadvantage is its lack of workmanship warranty, which pales in comparison to the 10-year industry standard and other installers on this list that offer up to 25 years of installation protection. But Renu does offer 25-year protection for your solar equipment and an above-average 25-year production guarantee to ensure your panels will be performing throughout the lifetime of your solar system.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Roofing Services, Energy-Efficiency Audits |
At about $2.54 per watt, the average price for a North Carolina solar system is between $8,890 to $17,780 after the federal investment tax credit. This price may be lower than the average solar system price, but many homeowners still look for ways to save as much money as possible.
Luckily, the state of North Carolina and local utility companies offer several different incentive programs to help you save money and there are other money-saving tricks to employ.
Your solar panels will save you money on your monthly energy bill, but one of the best ways to save money on your new solar system is to cash in on incentive programs and rebates. Every North Carolina resident can benefit from the 30% back from the federal solar tax credit, but there is even more money to be saved.
We’ve included a brief list of incentives below that you may be eligible for, but also have an entire page dedicated to how North Carolina’s solar incentives can help to reduce the cost of going solar.
North Carolina Solar Incentive | Description |
North Carolina Property Tax Abatement | Even though solar panels will increase your property’s value, you will not be taxed on this increase. |
North Carolina Net Metering Policy | Overproduction from your solar panels may be credited toward future energy bills. |
Duke Energy Solar Rebate | Duke Energy customers can get monetary incentives by installing solar panels. |
Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency | North Carolina law states that solar loan programs cannot go above 8% interest rate and must have a maximum term of 20 years. |
Local North Carolina Incentives | More local incentives may be available in your area. Ask your solar contractor for more information. |
To save the most money on your solar system, don’t buy a system that is too large. North Carolina does have good net energy metering policies that will credit extra energy production towards your next energy bill, but you still don’t need to invest in a large system that consistently produces more energy than you can use.
Instead, evaluate your monthly energy usage and determine the right-sized system for your home. You can easily do this by reviewing your monthly energy statements, but you should also ask local solar installers for their opinions because they know the area best.
If you want to benefit from solar energy but do not want to pay the high upfront costs for solar electricity, you should consider community solar. It may still be a work in progress, but some North Carolina communities have community solar gardens that will save you money on your energy bills.1 If you are a renter or have another constraint that limits your solar-building capabilities, all you need to do is pay for the monthly subscription.
Currently, this perk is available in cities such as Fayetteville, Greensboro and Durham. So if you reside in other areas, such as Raleigh and Asheville, you may need to install your own solar panels.
Read Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar
Yes, solar panels do increase your home’s value. Monthly energy savings are likely the driving force behind your desire for solar panels, but it’s important to keep the other benefits you can reap from your solar panel system in mind. When you install solar panels on your home, you will see an increase in your home’s value. The best part? You don’t have to pay taxes on that increase.
According to data gathered from Zillow, the average North Carolina home is valued at $322,055, and at the average 4.1% property value increase2, homeowners will see $13,205 added to the value of their home. This makes solar panels an excellent investment, and one you will see should you sell your home.
Solar panel installation is expensive, so you — like many other North Carolina residents – may have considered a DIY solar installation. If you install your own panels you may save money now, but if you aren’t careful as you undergo the installation process, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars in damage to your home.
Even if you have extensive DIY home improvement experience, there is always the chance that you could damage your home when you install solar panels. When you hire professional solar installers, your solar panels will be installed correctly and without damage to your roof and home.
To install solar panels, you have to get certain permits and pass inspections before you can receive permission to operate. If you do not install your panels correctly, you could potentially be fined or have to remove your panels altogether.
By hiring professionals, you are guaranteed to pass all your inspections and are much less likely to run into any problems with building permits.
Most professional solar installers have workmanship warranties that will cover the cost to fix your solar panels or shingles if any were damaged during installation. If you install your panels yourself, you’ll miss out on this protection.
Even if you have product or performance warranties from your manufacturer, you may not be able to benefit from these. Your solar panels’ manufacturer could come back and claim that the problem is poor installation and not the product, which means you’d have to pay to fix your panels by yourself.
As you look for the right solar installer for your home, it’s important to find a company that checks all your boxes. Quality solar panels and expert installation should be your top priority, but you should also consider:
A reputable solar energy system is backed by a strong warranty, and every single company on our list of best solar panels in North Carolina comes with an industry-excellent 25-year warranty. Not all warranties are equal, but any company that offers a separate workmanship warranty alongside product or performance warranties should be at the top of your list.
Solar panels often come with these two types of warranties:
Keep in mind that solar panel warranties don’t cover severe weather damage or accidents that occurred on your property. However, photovoltaic installations are considered home improvement projects, and insurance companies often extend coverage to such incidents.
A company’s age is not always the best indicator of its services, but many solar veterans have ten or more years in business to their names. We advise homeowners to look for companies that have more experience because these companies have likely installed more solar panels in North Carolina, and thus, have the expertise needed to advise you on your home solar project.
The most experienced solar provider on our list is SunPower, but that doesn’t mean you should count out newer companies such as ADT because this company alone has installed more than 55,000 solar panels.
Many solar companies primarily install solar panels, but additional services — such as electrical contracting, roofing and energy efficiency audits and upgrades — show how much industry knowledge and experience a provider brings to the table.
Local companies, such as NC Solar Now and 8M Solar, offer more services than just solar panel installation. North Carolina residents can trust these providers to do more than just install solar panels and move on. Instead, these companies want to do more for your home and will quickly come to your aid should your panels need repairs.
Take note of both the solar provider’s service areas and headquarters. A company based out of state may have issues with communication if it relies on third-party subcontractors. If you have a backup battery or inverter failure, will the company respond efficiently and investigate thoroughly?
Local companies – such as NC Solar Now, 8M Solar and Covenant Solar – are located in North Carolina. Not only do local installers know the area best, but it means that you won’t have to scramble to find an electrician to do maintenance on your panels should your system break down.
A solar provider’s industry affiliations reflect its service scope, ethics and qualifications. You should look for these certifications because it indicates a company upholds industry standards and follows solar installation best practices.
We also advise our readers to check IREC’s National Solar Licensing Database, as well as your state government’s licensing requirements. Your solar provider should operate with the proper business and contracting licenses.
One of the best ways to research a company is to read its reviews. You can look at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews or Yelp because you will find honest reviews from real North Carolina customers. If you look for ADT, for example, you might find that customers rave about how smooth the solar installation process was, but others complain about pushy sales pitches and poor communication after installation.
Cost is one of the biggest concerns that solar shoppers have as they research solar panel options. Solar panel systems are expensive, and not every homeowner wants to pay top dollar for a high-efficiency panel from SunPower. Instead, some homeowners may want more affordable options, such as the panels and financing packages offered from Blue Raven.
You can get a good sense of financing options if you gather quotes from reputable solar companies. As you get quotes and talk to solar representatives, you should look for:
When we rank our top solar companies, we identify the factors that matter most to ensure that our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark and rate each company. A company meeting the industry standard would earn 4 stars, while a perfect score would earn 5.
Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to North Carolina homes.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers in-house installations, energy storage systems (solar batteries) and home-efficiency audits or upgrades. A company can earn bonus points if it offers additional services that we don’t yet consider essential in NC, including electric vehicle chargers, home thermostats, roofing etc. The industry standard that we measure against includes solar panel and backup battery installations only.
All of the solar companies on our North Carolina list offer more than just basic solar panel installation. However, NC Solar Now and Covenant Solar excel in this category because each offers so much more. NC Solar Now specializes in ground-mounted solar systems and electric vehicle chargers, and Covenant has technicians skilled in roof replacement and solar installation.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it is: NABCEP-certified, has a minimum of four stars over its last 100 reviews on Google, an A+ with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and 4 or more stars on Glassdoor to reflect employee satisfaction and low turnover rate. It isn’t common that every company on our list of recommended solar providers has an A+ BBB rating, but each company on the list in this report currently has an A+.
We give bonus points for additional certifications, such as LEED or with the Building Performance Institute (BPI). We flag a company for further review if it has any track record of lawsuits or customer rights violations.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its warranties.
All of our recommended companies have 25-year warranties, but not everyone is as responsive to customers who want to use those warranties. In some regions, ADT has not been great at post-installation communication, but 8M Solar customers rave about its responsive customer service team.
Remember, a warranty is only any good if your company honors it.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers multiple financing options, including in-house options in addition to partner organizations. As many solar companies choose not to offer leases and PPAs in the interest of consumer well-being, we do not dock points for companies that don’t offer them.
Blue Raven is well known as one of the most affordable solar installers around and has flexible in-house financing, so it does very well in this category. SunPower also rises above the rest in this category because as of 2020, it secured $1 billion in residential solar and storage financing through its partnership with Technology Credit Union.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it has 10+ years of experience installing solar. The industry standard that we measure against is at least five years of experience, and luckily, every installer on our North Carolina list has well over five years of experience.
SunPower has been in the solar industry since 1985, so it of course does well in this category. Yet, local installers, such as 8M Solar and NC Solar Now have the valuable in-state experience that gives each an edge over larger national businesses.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers services in the majority of North Carolina. Even if a company services North Carolina, it may only stick to certain areas. For instance, Covenant Solar is only available in some areas of North Carolina whereas 8M Solar and NC Solar Now will work with any home in this state.
A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EoL) products or processes and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves. SunPower’s Maxeon solar panels were the first to become Cradle to Cradle sustainability certified, so you can trust this company to be both sustainable and committed to improving the environment.
Understandably, several unanswered questions come to mind as you shop for home solar. Here are a few of the most common questions we get from our North Carolina readers about the best local solar installers. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
North Carolina has a lot of reputable solar companies, so it’s hard to narrow down the list. 8M Solar is our best overall for North Carolina because this company knows the state well, but SunPower is a stellar national provider that has expansive solar knowledge. The best home solar installation company in North Carolina will depend more on your specific energy needs and location.
Yes, it certainly does. Photovoltaic panels can look similar aesthetically, but they vary in efficiency, durability, and affordability. Solar energy system customization by select solar installers can help you decide what is best for your home based on energy audits. Different solar brands may be best suited for your home.
North Carolina is based in a subtropical climate, so you may want solar panels that are more efficient. Monocrystalline panels possess black cells made of single crystals and provide higher efficiency, though at a higher price.
You may use our criteria, as described above, to help formulate your own assessment strategy. We recommend that homeowners gather quotes from several solar installation companies in North Carolina. What recommendations are they generally aligned on making for your solar system? Are any solar rebate programs or net metering available? For example, Duke Energy offers net metering.
Pay attention to the energy audit and energy savings recommendations made by the solar installer. Are they asking relevant questions about your interests and needs when it comes to solar solutions and savings? Or, are they trying to upsell you?
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