Plug-In Solar in North Carolina — Legislation Pending
Bill: HB 1129 / SB 957 — HB 1129 (Balcony Solar) / SB 957 (Portable-Scale Solar Energy Devices)
Sponsor: Reps. Cook, Harrison, Cervania, Rubin (HB 1129) / Sens. Moffitt, Lazzara, Mayfield (SB 957)
Legislative Status: Two bills active: HB 1129 referred to House Rules Committee (Apr 30, 2026); SB 957 referred to Senate Rules and Operations Committee (May 4, 2026). Both awaiting substantive committee assignment. NC Legislature meets year-round.
Current Status: Two Bills Active — Both in Rules Committee (2026)
Last Updated: June 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 13.8¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $175/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 4¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.8 |
| Retail Choice | none |
Key Provisions
Two companion bills moving through both chambers. HB 1129 (House): 1,200W cap, adds explicit renter rights (GS 42-42.4), prohibits utility fees and interconnection requirements. SB 957 (Senate): higher 1,920W cap, no renter provision, includes $100K appropriation for electrician board public awareness program. Both prohibit utilities from requiring interconnection agreements or charging fees. If both pass, chambers must reconcile differences in conference.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | Effective when signed (SB 957 Section 6 effective July 1, 2026) |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200W (HB 1129) / 1,920W (SB 957) |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — Both bills require UL or equivalent NRTL certification for devices above 391W (SB 957) or similar threshold (HB 1129) |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in either bill. |
| Renter Provision | HB 1129 adds explicit tenant right (GS 42-42.4). SB 957 does not include a renter provision. |
| Utility Approval | Waived in both bills |
| Permit Required | Not addressed in either bill |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Both require anti-islanding protection (device must not energize grid during outage). |
| Key Differences | North Carolina is notable for having companion bills in both chambers simultaneously — a House bill (HB 1129, more Democratic-sponsored) and a Senate bill (SB 957, more Republican-sponsored). SB 957 has a higher 1,920W cap matching Colorado's limit. HB 1129 adds renter rights. Citizens Climate Lobby is supporting SB 957 due to its bipartisan sponsorship. |
| Notable Omissions | Neither bill addresses HOA restrictions or building permits. SB 957 does not include renter rights. |
What You Can Do
No specific plug-in solar law yet. North Carolina has strong solar industry. Duke Energy Carolinas offers net metering.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Utilities require interconnection agreements for grid-tied systems. Both HB 1129 and SB 957 would change this if enacted.
Available Rebates & Incentives
North Carolina offers a 35% state corporate tax credit for solar (capped at $10,500); the personal income tax credit expired in 2015. Net metering available through Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- DSIRE — North Carolina Solar Incentives — Full list of North Carolina state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 10,835,491 |
| Total Households | 3,926,000 |
| Owner-Occupied | 2,728,000 |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,198,000 |
| Single-Family Homes | 2,267,890 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 364,103 |
| Median Household Income | $67,481 |
| Median Home Value | $240,900 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.13 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 20° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1118 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | May, April, July |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | ~2.5 million customers | Yes |
| Duke Energy Progress | ~1.8 million customers | Yes |
| Dominion Energy North Carolina | ~130000 customers | Yes |