The bright side of clean energy in Asheville

The state of solar in Asheville

With over 200 sunny days per year,^*Best Places. Climate in Asheville, North Carolina. April 2021. Asheville has taken significant strides towards increasing solar power adoption. The city has a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, and the fact that nearly 70% of the rooftops in Asheville are solar variable is sure to help with that goal.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

How much solar energy does Asheville produce?

In 2020, the Environment America Research & Policy Center deemed Asheville a Solar Star with 8.3 MW of installed solar capacity, equating to 89 watts per person. The city makes up nearly half of Buncombe County’s 20.931 MW capacity and is home to one of the largest solar arrays in the area, a 1.815 MW rooftop system at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

The City of Ashville, in partnership with the county, is planning 46 new solar installations in the next few years, which will add another 7 MW of capacity to the area.

What are the advantages of going solar in Asheville?

The environmental benefits of solar power benefit not just you and your family, but our entire community. If every solar-viable roof in Asheville were to feature a solar PV system, we could offset 331,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of taking 70,000 cars off the road for a year.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). Carbon emissions are harmful to the environment and a driving factor in climate change.

There’s also the potential for significant electricity cost savings. Over 20 years of use, a 5 kW home solar system could offer savings as high as $16,000. Many homeowners break even on their investment in less than 12 years, leading to more than a decade of clean, free electricity.

With an appropriately sized system, you may even be able to eliminate your electric bill altogether. You can choose a grid-tied system with net metering or a grid-tied system with backup storage. Net metering allows you to earn credit for any excess electricity your system generates that can be used in times of low production.^*Net metering utility credits vary by location and are subject to change.  Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

How much does solar cost in Asheville?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Angle of your roof

• Quality of the solar system

• Available unshaded roof space

• Household’s energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020

In Asheville, we found that the average cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $14,000 to $14,250, or in other words, from $2.80 to $2.85 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you purchase your solar system rather than lease it, you may be able to take advantage of the 26% federal solar tax credit to recoup some of your installation costs.^*Tax credits subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. If you’re a customer of Duke Energy, there’s also the NC Rebate Program.

It offers a $0.6 per-watt rebate for systems up to 10 kW. However, it has an annual capacity limit of 10 MW for residential systems and often reaches that limit very quickly. The enrollment period opens in January and July each year and is open until 50% of the annual capacity is reached.^*Duke Energy Corporation. NC Solar Rebate Program.

What’s the best way to go solar in Asheville?

When it comes to solar energy, not all systems offer equal quality and durability. The best way to ensure you make the most of your investment is to work with a reputable solar provider.

Solar panel installation is dependent on the size of your roof, the amount of sunlight your home gets, and your budget. Your installer should work with you to determine the ideal system to meet your electricity needs without exceeding your budget.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards clean energy generation for your home, request a free consultation. We'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.