The State With Shining Solar Energy Incentives

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Learn more about how North Carolina has incentivized solar energy and the legal guidelines for installation. 

North Carolina’s solar incentives have recently caused an increase in solar panel installations on homes. So much so that Forbes ranked them fourth in the United States for solar energy generation. That's why Ashlee Poplin, special counsel for Adams and Reese, has written an informative article on all the legal guidelines contractors should be aware of when it comes to installing solar power on homes or buildings. 

One of the most exciting incentives in North Carolina is the Investment Tax Credit. This credit offers residents installing solar panels on their homes a 30% tax credit and this includes systems installed between 2022-2032. With that in mind, Ashlee says that roofers installing these solar panels should be aware of the Solar Panel Installation Licensing & Permitting Guidelines.  

Ashlee states that these guidelines “were published as a collaborative effort by the North Carolina Department of Insurance/Office of State Fire Marshal, North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.”  

Two major things to note from these guidelines are how they outline building permits and requirements for electricians. Ashlee also answers common legal questions contractors might have about solar installations. For example, many homeowners want to know if their Homeowners Association (HOA) is allowed to enforce rules about solar panels. Some HOAs have created rules against solar panels, leading many homeowners to wonder if they can still install them.  

Ashlee says, “In 2022, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a brief with the NC Supreme Court on behalf of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, supporting Raleigh homeowners’ desired installation of rooftop solar systems, despite HOA rules against.” 

Read the entire article to learn more about North Carolina’s solar licensing and guidelines.