2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Mebane, NC - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Mebane.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Mebane solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Mebane?

Duke Energy - NC Solar Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential: $0.60/W-AC
Nonresidential: $0.50/W-AC
Nonprofit: $0.75/W-AC

Property Tax Abatement for Solar Electric Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Residential systems: 100% of the appraised value
All other systems: 80% of the appraised value

Active Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
No more than conventional equipment

EnergyUnited (Electric) Residential Energy Efficiency Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Heat Pumps (15 SEER): $150/unit
Heat Pumps (16 SEER): $300/unit

Duke Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Central Air Conditioning or Heat Pump: $300 - $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Attic Insulation or Attic Air Sealing: $250
Duct Sealing: $100
Variable-Speed Pool Pumps: $300

NC GreenPower Production Incentive

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
Varies by technology and system size
PV larger than 5 kW: must enter bid process
Wind up to 10 kW: $0.09/kWh
Wind larger than 10 kW: must enter bid process

Local Option - Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Incentive Type:
Loan Program

Local Option - Green Building Incentives

Incentive Type:
Green Building Incentive
Authorized by legislation for green buildings. Actual permit process to be determined by local government.

Duke Energy Progress - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Central A/C or Heat Pump: $300 - $400 + 50 with smart thermostat
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $400 + 50 with smart thermostat
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Attic Insulation & Air Sealing: $250
Duct Sealing: $100
Pool Pump: $300

Piedmont EMC - Residential Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$10,000

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. The incentives may include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the North Carolina government and some by your utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
  • Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Mebane utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. The value of a rebate will usually come off the total price before any tax credits are calculated.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are generally handled at the state level. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is typically considered part of your taxable income.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. These differ from tax deductions.
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Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a set percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC applies to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system has to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to claim the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all installation costs (panels, labor, accessories and equipment), although the covered amount has fluctuated over the years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Contact your local Mebane solar panel installation expert to get more information.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. After 2032, the percentage will be reduced slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Mebane solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Rebates, tax credits and more might be available at a more local level. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Your local incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the North Carolina government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Mebane

There are many kinds of solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those offered by the North Carolina government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased enormously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Mebane solar panel installation expert is a great first step.

EcoWatch's Mebane, NC Solar Incentives FAQs

If I installed solar panels on my house a few years ago, can I still claim incentives?

An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar panels – or speak to a local Mebane solar installer — to better understand which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to Mebane's best solar panel companies.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order your incentives will be applied in could vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but in most cases yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you're eligible for and applying them in the correct order.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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