Explore Duke Energy solar energy programs, rebates, and incentives. Learn to utilize clean energy with Duke’s Power Pair solution 2025 guide.

What is Duke Energy Solar Energy?

Duke Energy has played a pivotal role in providing electricity and natural gas to millions of customers across the United States. However, the evolving energy and the increasing demand for renewable and sustainable solutions are.

Duke Energy solar energy represents one of the leading paths toward affordable and clean electricity in North Carolina and South Carolina. With programs like PowerPair, attractive rebates, and innovative incentives like reducing electricity bills, Duke Energy is making solar power accessible to more homeowners and businesses. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Duke Energy solar energy in 2025 — from how the programs work to installation tips, savings, and frequently asked questions.

What type of energy does Duke Energy use?

Oil and Gas Electricity‌

Most of the electricity in the United States is generated using fossil fuels. Duke Energy operates a system of generating plants fueled by oil or natural gas to supplement the power supply during peak times.

How Does Duke Energy Solar Energy Work?

Duke Energy offers several solar energy programs aimed at encouraging customers to install rooftop solar panels paired with battery storage solutions. The key is converting sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) panels, then storing extra power in batteries for use during nights or cloudy days. Duke Energy supports this shift towards renewable energy through financial incentives and smart programs that lower your upfront costs and maximize your savings.

Key Duke Energy Solar Programs and Incentives

Duke Energy Power Pair Program

The Duke Energy PowerPair program is a pilot program in North Carolina that offers incentives for homeowners to install new solar panel systems paired with battery storage. It provides a one-time incentive of up to $9,000 for eligible customers. The program aims to encourage the adoption of solar energy and battery storage, strengthening the grid and promoting clean energy. 

Launched in 2024, the PowerPair program supports solar system installations combined with home battery storage to create a cleaner, more resilient grid. Here’s how it works:

• Incentives offer up to $3,600 for solar panels and $5,400 for battery storage.
• The rebate is calculated at $0.36 per watt for solar systems up to 10 kW, and $400 per kWh for batteries up to 13.5 kWh.
• It’s designed to encourage customers in Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP) territories to adopt solar-plus-storage for better energy management.
• The program is nearing capacity for some service areas, so early application is suggested.

Energy Wise Home Battery Program

This program offers payments for customers who allow Duke Energy to manage their home solar batteries during peak demand times, providing grid support while compensating users with monthly bill credits.

NC Solar Rebate Program

With rebates averaging $0.60 per watt (up to around $6,000 for residential customers), these programs help reduce the upfront cost of installing solar systems. Rebate availability is managed annually with set capacity limits for residential, business, and nonprofit installations.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Customers can also benefit from a 30% federal solar tax credit, dramatically lowering the cost of solar panel installation beyond state and utility incentives.

Why Choose Duke Energy Solar Energy?

• Substantial savings: With rebates, tax credits, and low installation costs, Duke Energy customers see fast payback periods.
• Support for clean energy: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future.
• Increased property value: Solar installations may increase home value and are exempt from property tax in North Carolina.
• Reliable and Local Programs: Duke Energy’s carefully designed programs cater to the needs of residential and commercial users in their service territory.

Duke Energy Solar Farms In Florida

1. Duke Energy Florida operates more than 25 solar power sites statewide, producing approximately 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of clean solar energy.
2. Between 2025 and 2027, it plans to build 12 new solar farms, including four major sites adding 300 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the electric grid.
3. The four planned solar sites are Sundance Renewable Energy Center (Madison County), Half Moon Renewable Energy Center (Sumter County), Rattler Renewable Energy Center (Hernando County), and Bailey Mill Renewable Energy Center (Jefferson County).
4. These new solar farms are expected to save Duke Energy Florida customers around $843 million over their operational lifetimes through clean and cost-effective energy production.
5. Construction has started on the Sundance, Half Moon, and Rattler solar farms, targeting operational status by January 2026. Bailey Mill is in the permitting stage, with construction commencing mid-2025 and completion in summer 2026.
6. Each of the four upcoming 74.9 MW solar farms can provide enough electricity to power about 23,000 homes at peak production.
7. It Florida aims to expand its utility-scale solar capacity to over 6.1 GW by 2033, reflecting a strong commitment to renewable energy growth in the state.
8. These solar farms are expected to displace significant amounts of natural gas, fuel oil, and coal annually, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability.
9. During construction, the new solar farms will create around 150 temporary jobs each, contributing to local economic development.
10. Duke Energy Florida is investing over $521 million into these new solar sites as part of its 2025 Solar Base Rate Adjustment plan approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.

These points highlight the significant ongoing and planned investments in solar energy infrastructure across Florida, supporting cleaner, reliable, and affordable power for its customers.

Duke Energy Florida net metering

Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows solar system owners to get credit for all the energy their panels generate, which they can use to offset the cost of the energy they buy from the grid at night or when the sun isn’t shining.

Does Duke Energy Florida have any solar incentives or rebates?

No, it does not have solar incentives or rebate programs for its solar customers. 

But Duke customers can take advantage of the federal solar tax credit if they qualify. The federal tax credit equals 30% of installation costs and directly reduces what you owe in federal income taxes. The incentive can save thousands of dollars on your tax payments. 

How to Get Started with Duke Energy Solar Energy in 2025

1. Assess your energy usage: Calculate your household or business electricity needs to choose the right system size.
2. Check eligibility: Confirm you are a Duke Energy customer within North or South Carolina.
3. Choose your solar system: Decide if you want panels alone or solar with battery storage to benefit from programs like PowerPair.
4. Find a certified installer: Duke Energy requires approved Trade Allies for rebate eligibility.
5. Apply: Work with your installer to apply for incentives and interconnection approvals.
6. Complete installation: After approvals, your installer will complete setup and testing.
7. Activate and monitor: Start generating clean power and track your system’s performance online or via apps.

Clean Energy Connection program

During the past several years, Duke Energy realized people don’t want to pay a lot of extra money to support renewable energy in their area, and many people can’t or don’t want to have solar panels on their roofs.

Duke created a subscription program where its customers can sign up to receive the benefits of solar energy without having to install their system.

The Clean Energy Connection program works like this: a customer subscribes to “blocks” or shares of a solar farm that each represent one kilowatt (kW) of solar generation. Each block costs $8.35 per month. The subscribed customer gets an average credit of $0.04 for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) generated by their blocks. After the first three years, the credit increases by 1.5% each year, theoretically resulting in net savings after Year 5 and profits from Year 7 onward.

The program is scheduled to run for 30 years, although subscribers will have no commitment and can cancel at the end of any month. 

Comparing Duke Energy Solar Energy with Traditional Power

Feature	Duke Energy Solar Energy	Traditional Electricity
Source	Sunlight (renewable, free)	Fossil fuels (non-renewable)
Upfront Cost	Reduced by rebates & incentives	Often lower upfront, but rising
Operating Cost	Low to zero	Depends on the grid and fuel supply
Environmental Impact	Zero emissions	Produces greenhouse gases
Reliability	High with battery backup	Depends on grid and fuel supply
Noise	Silent	May involve noisy generators

Maintaining Your Duke Energy Solar System

• Keep panels clean of debris and dirt for optimal performance.
• Monitor battery health if part of your system.
• Review your system’s output regularly using monitoring tools.
• Schedule professional inspections as recommended.

Conclusion

Duke Energy solar energy programs in 2025 provide home and business owners with accessible, affordable, and reliable options for clean energy. From significant rebates and incentives to advanced battery programs like PowerPair, it empowers its customers to lead in the transition to renewable energy. By switching to solar, you save money, protect the environment, and enjoy energy independence.

Starting your solar journey today is an investment in a greener, more sustainable future.

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