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)
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina has active plug-in solar legislation under HB 1129 / SB 957, currently introduced, but it has not been enacted. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
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 |
Explore Your Next Steps in North Carolina
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your NC setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in North Carolina — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- Follow the national legislation picture — See how pending proposals compare with enacted plug-in solar frameworks in other states.