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Solar Payback Years

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Solar payback in North Carolina

A 7.7 kW home solar system in North Carolina pays for itself in about 23.3 years at 2026 prices, with no federal tax credit. That ranks #49 of 51 states, where 1 is the fastest.

Installed price
$4.10/W
North Carolina median, 2025
Solar output
1,446 kWh
per kW a year, Charlotte weather
Electricity rate
15.16¢/kWh
average home rate, EIA
Value of a solar kWh
12.2¢
reduced credit for exports

Pays back in year 24

Cost up front
$31,570
Saved per year
$1,354
Ahead after 25 years
$2,273

Payback by quoted price and roof direction

Find your installer's price per watt (total price divided by system watts) to read your payback in North Carolina. Nationally, cash buyers paid a median of $3.00 per watt in 2025 and loan buyers $4.50, because loan fees are often built into the price. East and west roofs make 14% and 14% less power than south here.

Price per watt7.7 kW costsSouth roofEast roofWest roof
$2.50 $19,250 14.2 years16.5 years16.5 years
$3.00 $23,100 17.1 years19.8 years19.9 years
$4.00 $30,800 22.8 years26.3 years26.5 years
$4.10 (North Carolina median) $31,570 23.3 years27.0 years27.1 years
$4.50 $34,650 25.6 years29.6 years29.8 years

System size barely changes payback here: a bigger system costs more and saves more in about the same proportion.

Questions about solar in North Carolina

How does North Carolina pay for solar power I send to the grid?

Duke Energy customers who went solar from October 2023 are on time-of-use net metering, with lower credits for monthly excess power than the old flat rate. Estimates put the drop in savings at about 20 to 35%; we model exports at two thirds of the retail rate. We assume you use 40% of your solar power at home, which makes the average solar kWh worth 12.2¢. This summary comes from secondary sources, so confirm it with your utility. Source.

How much did the end of the federal tax credit change payback in North Carolina?

With the 30% credit that ended in 2025, the same system would have paid back in about 16.3 years instead of 23.3. The credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leased systems and power purchase agreements can still pass on a business credit, but then you do not own the panels.

Is 1,446 kWh per kW a lot?

The range across states runs from about 922 kWh in Alaska to about 1,779 in the Southwest. Sunshine matters less than people expect: the electricity rate and how your utility credits exports move payback more.

States near North Carolina in the ranking