The State With Shining Solar Energy Incentives

Adams and Reese Shining with Solar Energy

September 11, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.

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.

Learn more about Adams & Reese LLP in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.adamsandreese.com.

The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

About the author

Evelyn Witterholt

Evelyn is a content developer for The Coffee Shops™. She graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a degree in English Creative Writing. Evelyn spends most of her time outside of work either watching movies, working out, reading, writing and crafting.

About Adams and Reese

Founded in 1951, Adams and Reese is one of the largest law firms in the nation and is included among the AmLaw 200, NLJ 500 and Law360 Top 400 firms. Their team prides themselves in being personally connected — to each other, to their clients, their families and their communities. It is this deep care that makes them such assets to clients navigating both current issues and future planning. Adams and Reese has more than 320 attorneys and advisors across Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, DC. Learn more at www.adamsandreese.com.