Solar Energy
Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of renewable energy available, and Orange County is committed to supporting the responsible implementation of this technology for the benefit of our residents.
Orange County has been recognized as a SolSmart Silver designee for implementing best practices that make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy. SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and designation recognizes Orange County as “open for solar business.” Learn more about the program..
Read our commitment letter (PDF).
If you are considering a solar installation, below you will find resources that clarify the process and identify financing options and financial incentives.
Our Solar Commitment
Orange County Sustainability and the Planning & Inspections Department are committed to exceptional customer services as it relates to solar processes. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community, we are committed to providing a clear guide and checklist to the Orange County permitting process for residential solar for homeowners and contractors considering a home solar PV system.
The Benefits of Going Solar
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies in North Carolina, creates local jobs, saves money on energy costs, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.
Solar Potential
Investigate your property’s solar potential by clicking here. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.
Solar Map for Orange County
A few large solar farms and hundreds of rooftop solar installations are currently providing more than 35 megawatts of electricity across the County. This map from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association shows just how far solar has spread in Orange County.
Solar Energy in Orange County
In this dashboard, you can see more than 1100+ solar photovoltaic installations in Orange County.
Local Solar Projects
- Solarize the Triangle
- Many of the Community Climate Action Grants have been awarded for solar projects. Read about some of the projects here.
Finding a Contractor and Going Solar
Find a solar contractor(s) to assess your home or business for solar energy and provide a quote.
- Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers.
- Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP.
- Solar Customer Resource Portal — resources from the Solar Energy Industries Association
- Solar Owner’s Manual from Solar United Neighbors
Policies & Procedures
General Resources
- Consumer Solar Checklist — a checklist for residential consumers considering solar energy from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) — provide state-specific information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States.
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Encouraging Solar Development through Community Association Policies and Processes — includes details on how communities can encourage solar development through community association policies and processes.
Orange County Permitting
- Orange County Solar Guide and checklist — information about the permitting process for residential solar for homeowners and contractors considering a home solar PV system.
- Currently, the standard turnaround time for the processing of small rooftop solar PV permits applications is 30 days.
- Information from the Planning and Inspections Department regarding applications, forms, and submissions
- Duke Energy Interconnection* Information
- Piedmont Electric Cooperative web pages about Home Solar and Community Solar
- Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) are responsible for ensuring that buildings and structures comply with relevant codes and regulations, ensuring the safety of occupants. The following are AHJs for solar projects in Orange County: Planning & Inspections, GIS/ Addressng / Land Records, Attorney's Office, Environmental Health, Erosion Control and Stormwater Management, Fire & Life Safety, and Solid Waste Management.
*Interconnection is how a solar customer connects their solar system to the utility power grid. It typically requires an application followed by approval from the utility.
If you live in a municipality, please follow your municipality's permitting process.
- Town of Chapel Hill
- Town of Carrboro
- Town of Hillsborough: For roof-mounted solar in the Town of Hillsborough Historic District and all ground-mounted solar in the Town of Hillsborough Zoning Jurisdiction, please contact the Town of Hillsborough Planning Department for zoning requirements. Follow Orange County Building Inspections instructions for roof- and ground-mounted solar outlined in the Solar Guide and checklist.
Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions
Typically, solar installations are paid for through loans, upfront payments, or a power purchase agreement (PPA).
- A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing is a resource from the Clean Energy States Alliance that provides an overview of the different financing options.
Federal Incentives
There are many new incentives and funding opportunities available for solar and other clean energy technologies.
- A great place for residents to start identifying the federal incentives for which they are eligible is this calculator from Rewiring America. The rebates and incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act can vary depending on your location and income.
- The Federal Investment Tax Credit for residential solar continues to be one of the most significant ways to reduce the cost of your solar PV system. Learn more about the federal tax credit from the IRS.
- Businesses can use the Clean Electricity Investment Credit. The basic Clean Electricity Investment Credit is 6% of the project cost but can go up to 30% if the project pays fair wages and uses registered apprentices. You can get an extra 10% if the project uses steel, iron, or manufactured products made in the United States and another 10% if it’s built in an energy community
- Some solar projects will be eligible for bonus credits on top of the 30% Investment Tax Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to 20% in bonus credits for qualified solar or wind facilities developed in low-income communities; up to 10% bonus for projects located in “energy communities” that have a historic fossil-fuel economy, high unemployment or are developing solar on a brownfield; and 10% domestic content bonus for projects using the required amounts of U.S.-produced steel, iron and manufactured products.
- The World Resources Institute has created an IRA Bonus Mapper tool to help identify communities that are eligible for the low income and energy community bonus credits.
- Tax-exempt organizations, including non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities, can now take advantage of the federal tax credit through “elective pay” (sometimes referred to as “direct pay.”) An overview of elective pay and Frequently Asked Questions are available from the IRS.
State and Local Incentives
- DSIRE database — information about state incentives maintained by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
- Duke Energy PowerPair — a pilot program that provides rebates for solar and battery installation; it should launch in Spring 2024
- Energy Funds for All — a resource where all NC residents can find funding for home and community energy projects
- EnergizeNC–North Carolina’s Solar for All Program — program that will distribute solar and storage to low-income and disadvantaged communities across the state
Solar Rights & Consumer Protection
Know Your Solar Rights
Understanding the legal landscape of solar power systems is a key step to avoid surprises that will impact your solar investment. Are your solar panels tax exempt? What power does your homeowners association have over if and how you install a solar power system? Check out this two-page review of North Carolina Solar Policies and Incentives (PDF) from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center.
Consumer Protection
- Solar Owner’s Manual by Solar United Neighbors — support guide for solar homeowners, whether you’ve just gone solar or have had solar for years
- Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights (from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council) — resource to help promote a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues
- Solar Energy Industries Association Consumer Protection Resources
Job Training & Educational Opportunities
If you are interested in pursuing a career in solar energy, see the table below for links to regional and national educational courses, programs, and/or trainings offered from colleges, universities, technical institutions, and non-profits.
| Organization | Offerings |
|---|---|
| NC Clean Energy Technology Center | Courses Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series continuing education training program |
| Solar Energy International | Online courses and hands-on labs (Colorado) Certificate Programs |
Get Involved, Stay Informed
- In July, 2017, Carrboro received the SolSmart "Gold" designation (see article).
- OWASA solar array funded by Orange County Climate Action Grant (see article)
- Solarize the Triangle was the recipient of the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster 2023 Cleantech Innovation Award (see press release)
Orange County is pursuing grant funding for a pilot agrivoltaic project at W.C. Breeze Research & Education Farm to study which crops thrive under solar panels and support farmers in adopting this innovative solution. Learn more with this video.
More Useful Solar Information
Below are some additional websites with solar information for local and state entities.
- Going Solar in Chapel Hill
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center
- NC GreenPower
Non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and adoption of cleaner energy technologies through community-driven initiatives that support and promote renewable energy projects across the state
- North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sustainable energy policies and practices through advocacy, education, and collaboration to foster the growth of clean and renewable energy technologies in the state
- Town of Carrboro web page about solar energy