PowerPair is Duke Energy’s incentive program for NC homeowners who install solar and battery storage together for the first time. It’s the largest upfront financial incentive currently available for residential solar in North Carolina.
The incentive is paid as a one-time bill credit, not a tax refund. You don’t wait until tax season and you don’t need to calculate anything against your tax liability. The credit comes off your Duke Energy bill after the system is installed and verified.
What the incentive covers
PowerPair provides two incentives that stack:
- Solar: $0.36 per watt-AC of installed capacity, up to 10 kW AC. Maximum $3,600.
- Battery: $400 per kWh of installed capacity, up to 13.5 kWh. Maximum $5,400.
A common pairing — 7 kW solar with a 13.5 kWh battery — would earn the full $9,000 on the battery side and $2,520 on the solar side, for a total of $8,520. A 10 kW solar system with the same battery hits the combined maximum.
Smaller systems earn proportionally less. The incentive is calculated on actual installed capacity, not a flat rate.
Who qualifies
- Residential customer of Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolinas
- Solar and battery installed together at your property for the first time
- No existing solar at the address
- Installation performed by a Duke Energy-approved Trade Ally
- Battery on Duke Energy’s approved equipment list
- Enrollment in either the Net Metering Bridge or Residential Solar Choice rider
- Minimum 24-month enrollment in that rider
- Internet connectivity for system monitoring
The “first time” requirement is strict. Prior solar anywhere on the property disqualifies you.
The Power Manager Battery Control option
When you enroll in PowerPair with the Net Metering Bridge rider, you can add Duke Energy’s Power Manager Battery Control program. Under this option:
- You receive the full one-time PowerPair incentive
- You also receive a monthly bill credit based on your battery’s capacity, ongoing
- Duke Energy can remotely manage when your battery charges and discharges, typically charging during low-demand periods
The monthly credit compounds over time, making the total value of PowerPair plus Power Manager higher than the one-time incentive alone. Duke Energy controls the battery within defined parameters; you keep backup power capability.
How to apply
- Find a Duke Energy Trade Ally installer who handles PowerPair applications
- Get a quote that includes both solar and battery
- Submit the pre-installation application through Duke Energy’s PowerPair portal
- After approval, proceed with installation
- Once the system is operational, submit final documentation
- Duke Energy applies the incentive as a bill credit
If you have already installed within the past 90 days, you can still apply. Beyond that window, the application is no longer accepted.
What it doesn’t cover
PowerPair is calculated on installed solar capacity and installed battery capacity. It doesn’t separately cover installation labor, panel upgrades, monitoring hardware beyond standard requirements, or ongoing maintenance. If your home needs a panel upgrade before installation, that cost is separate.
The program is a pilot with an enrollment cap. As of mid-2024 the program still had remaining capacity, but capacity is finite and the program is first-come, first-served.