• Charlotte, NC goes solar with SunPower®

    Powering the Queen City with clean energy

The state of solar in Charlotte

North Carolina's Queen City has developed a reputation as a forerunner in the state's pursuit of clean energy. With an average of 218 sunny days per year,* and more than 167,000 solar-viable rooftops* throughout the city, Charlotte has the renewable resources it needs to achieve a low-carbon future.

How much solar energy does Charlotte produce?

Charlotte has a solar capacity of 4,000 MW (megawatts) DC of clean energy, or 8.5 kW (kilowatts) DC of solar energy per roof,* based on an average available roof space of 599 square feet. However, the city has recently increased its solar capacity by voting to develop a 35 MW solar energy farm.*

The city council's 2020 decision to move forward with the solar development will result in enough energy to power 10,000 homes. Further, the 35 MW development will get the city 25% closer to its goal of powering its municipal facilities and fleets with zero-carbon energy sources by 2030.*

What are the advantages of going solar in Charlotte?

Converting to solar energy offers numerous benefits for Charlotte homeowners. Investing in a home solar system can lower monthly energy costs, resulting in 20-year savings of $15,550, or annual savings of roughly $775.*

In addition, converting to a home solar system has a payback period of only 12 years to recover the cost of your investment, thanks to a recent 34% decrease in solar panel costs.

Going solar in Charlotte offers more than financial savings since it would also reduce your carbon footprint. Converting to solar power can have the same effect as planting 150 trees each year for the lifespan of the solar system—or reducing coal usage by 5,000 pounds annually.*

How much does going solar cost in Charlotte?

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

  • Available roof space

  • Local weather

  • Quality of the solar panels

  • Your home'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 county. In North Carolina, the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,000 to $14,250, or, in other words, from $2.40 to $2.85 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

For example, you can claim a federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that will reduce the cost of your solar system installation by 26%.* On a more local level, North Carolina's Duke Energy offers a rebate program when customers convert to solar energy.*

If you install a solar system of up to 10 kilowatts, you can claim a $0.60/watt rebate from your utility provider. An average-sized 6 kilowatt system would entail a rebate as high as $3,600. Additional opportunities exist for nonresidential customers, too.*

North Carolina makes it easy to obtain funds to install a home solar system through low-interest loans with 20-year maximum terms and affordable interest rates capped at 8%.* The state's net metering policy enables utilities to provide credits for surplus solar energy you might produce, which you can apply against your power bill.*

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What's the best way to go solar in Charlotte?

Converting to solar energy provides many financial and environmental benefits. However, your system's quality, efficiency, appearance, and durability will vary based on the solar company you choose. Further, the system size and the number of panels you'll need will depend on several factors, including your available roof space, energy needs, and budget.

Luckily, going solar is very simple these days. Reputable solar companies should offer free online consultations, all-in-one solar + storage solutions, and high-efficiency solar panels. Speak with a solar installer who can assess your needs and recommend the installation that best meets your energy and savings goals.

It's always worth first using a solar power calculator to get an estimate of how much solar energy your roof can produce and how much the solar system will cost before speaking with a solar company.

For over 35 years, SunPower has offered the highest-quality solar and battery storage solutions. Request your consultation now if you're ready to get a custom solar design and price quote for your home. We'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also reach us directly at (800) 786-7693.

See what your home looks like with solar by SunPower

SunPower® Design Studio

See what your home looks like with solar

SunPower currently creates thousands of solar designs per week for our customers. Now we can create thousands per second.

Design My Solar System Online





Learn more about home solar
How do solar panels work?
solar cell dark
How many solar panels do I need?
solar cell dark
Step-by-step guide to a solar installation
solar cell dark
SunPower, a leader in sustainability
solar cell dark