Non-bypassable charges are utility bill charges that remain even when a solar customer has generation credits. In North Carolina, they matter because Duke Energy’s revised residential solar riders include charges that solar exports do not fully offset.
The NC Public Staff net metering page says net metering credits are limited primarily to kilowatt-hour charges. It also explains that Rider RSC includes new charges such as a minimum monthly bill, non-bypassable charges related to storm recovery and cybersecurity costs, and a grid access fee for larger systems.
For homeowners, this is why “solar will eliminate your bill” is usually too broad. A well-sized system can reduce energy charges substantially, but fixed and non-bypassable charges can remain.
See the NC net metering guide before comparing solar quotes.
Common questions
- Can solar panels eliminate non-bypassable charges?
- Generally no. The NC Public Staff explains that net metering credits are limited primarily to kWh charges and that other charges cannot be offset in the same way.
- Why do non-bypassable charges matter for solar payback?
- They mean a solar customer's bill may not go to zero even when the system exports enough energy to offset much of the home's usage.