By Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate
We talk to a lot of buyers and homeowners who want to live a little more sustainably without necessarily overhauling their entire home at once. Some of the most effective changes here come from utility-level programs and simple landscaping choices, not just big-ticket renovations. Here's where we'd suggest starting if sustainable living is a real priority for your household.
Key Takeaways
- Duke Energy offers real, current incentive programs worth exploring before going solar
- North Carolina has no state solar tax credit, despite what some sales pitches suggest
- Water-wise, native landscaping fits well with the Piedmont's climate and soil
- Small daily habits add up meaningfully alongside bigger changes
Solar Incentives Worth Knowing About in North Carolina
Duke Energy's PowerPair program currently offers incentives for homeowners who install solar paired with battery storage, with payouts calculated per kilowatt of solar and per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity. There's also an ongoing net metering arrangement, where excess electricity your system generates gets credited back on your monthly bill. Since incentive programs like this can change or reach capacity, it's worth checking directly with Duke Energy or a reputable local installer for current details before assuming a specific number applies to your situation.
What to Look Into Before Going Solar
- Duke Energy's current PowerPair incentive for solar paired with battery storage
- Net metering arrangements for excess electricity generation
- Whether program capacity or eligibility has changed recently
- A reputable local installer who can confirm current numbers for your home
Correcting a Common Solar Tax Credit Myth
One misconception that comes up often is the assumption that North Carolina offers its own state tax credit for solar installations. It doesn't, and hasn't since the state's residential renewable energy tax credit was eliminated back in 2016. Federal incentive rules have also shifted meaningfully in the past year, so it's worth confirming current federal treatment directly rather than relying on what a sales pitch implies.
What's Actually True Right Now
- North Carolina has no state income tax credit for residential solar
- This has been the case since 2016, despite some marketing suggesting otherwise
- Federal solar incentive rules have changed recently and are worth verifying directly
- North Carolina does not add solar system value to your property tax assessment
Duke Energy's Smart Saver Rebates for Efficiency Upgrades
Beyond solar specifically, Duke Energy's Smart Saver program offers rebates for efficiency upgrades like heat pumps and insulation, which can meaningfully lower both energy use and utility bills. These rebates can often be combined with federal efficiency rebate programs, depending on your specific situation and income level. Efficiency upgrades like this tend to have a faster, more straightforward payback than a full solar installation for a lot of households.
What Smart Saver Rebates Typically Cover
- Heat pump upgrades and replacements
- Insulation improvements throughout the home
- Programs that can sometimes combine with federal efficiency rebates
- Income-based eligibility that's worth checking directly with Duke Energy
Water-Wise and Native Landscaping Choices
The Piedmont's clay-heavy soil and humid summers actually make native and drought-tolerant landscaping a practical choice here, not just an environmental one. Native plants tend to need less supplemental watering once established, and they're generally better suited to the soil conditions common throughout the Raleigh area. Reducing lawn area in favor of native plantings can also cut down on mowing, fertilizer use, and water consumption all at once.
Landscaping Choices Worth Considering
- Native plants suited to the Piedmont's clay soil and climate
- Reduced lawn area in favor of lower-maintenance plantings
- Rain barrels to capture water for garden use
- Mulching to help soil retain moisture during dry stretches
Everyday Habits That Add Up
Beyond bigger investments, a handful of daily habits really add up over time without requiring any real cost. Composting food scraps, reducing single-use plastics, and being more intentional about what actually gets thrown away versus recycled all make a real difference at the household level. None of these require a major life change, just a bit more attention to habits most people already have some version of.
Small Habits Worth Building
- Composting food scraps, even on a small scale
- Reducing single-use plastics where realistic alternatives exist
- Double-checking what's actually recyclable in your specific area
- Being more intentional about food waste and unnecessary purchases
FAQs
Is it still worth looking into solar given all the incentive changes recently?
We think it's still worth exploring, especially with Duke Energy's current programs in place. We'd just recommend confirming current numbers directly rather than assuming last year's incentives still apply.
Does adding solar panels increase our property tax bill?
No, and this is one we get asked often. North Carolina doesn't add the value of a solar installation to your property tax assessment.
Do we need to go all in on landscaping changes, or can we start small?
We always recommend starting small if that feels more manageable. Even reducing a portion of lawn area or adding a few native plants makes a real difference over time.
Contact Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate Today
Living more sustainably is something a lot of our clients care about, and we're happy to talk through what's realistic for your specific home and budget. We can also point you toward trusted local resources for solar, efficiency upgrades, or landscaping.
Reach out to Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate, and let's talk about making your Raleigh home a little more sustainable.
Reach out to Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate, and let's talk about making your Raleigh home a little more sustainable.