Leading Chapel Hill Solar Energy Company

With new solar & battery incentives available in Chapel Hill, now’s a great time to make the switch to solar.

Polaroid with a aerial picture of a home with a roof top solar system in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill's Original Solar Company

Splashing a bit of green energy into the Tar Heel Blue town can help make Chapel Hill more sustainable and energy efficient. While it’s always a great day to be a Tar Heel, it also just so happens to be a great year to go solar. Friendly solar policies, and available solar incentives make it a great time to install solar panels in Chapel Hill, NC.

Why install solar panels in Chapel Hill?

Save Money

Producing your own solar energy saves money each month on your electricity bill.

30% Federal Solar Tax Credit

Take the money you owe to Uncle Sam next year, and invest it into clean energy for your home.

Avoid Rising Energy Bills

As utility rates rise over time, your solar savings will protect you from higher electric bills.

Increase Home Value

Go solar and sell for a premium–add 8kW and get a $16,300 increase in home value.

A Brighter Future

Generating renewable solar energy reduces pollution, helps fight climate change, and lowers America’s dependence on fossil fuel imports.

Solar installer carrying a solar panel and showing his strength.

Working With North Carolina’s Leading Solar Company

All of our systems are designed, constructed, and installed by our in-house team, allowing us to provide a seamless project and customer experience. 

Get a Free Solar Assessment

Chapel Hill Solar Panels & Installation

Cost and performance are top priorities above all other factors when deciding on equipment for your home solar system. Ultimately, our designers will work with you to find the best solar products to meet your energy goals.

Southern Energy Management is also Chapel Hill’s Top Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer. Our team has installed over 950 batteries across North Carolina! 

Download our Powerwall Guide to learn more about battery storage. 

How much does a residential solar system cost in Chapel Hill, NC?

The cost of a home solar system in Chapel Hill really depend on your home and family’s energy goals. Elements like shading, available roof space, your family’s energy use patterns, and your budget are big factors that impact solar system size. Our average solar system size in Chapel Hill is 8.37 kilowatts priced at $24,500, or $18,130 after incentives.

Current Solar Incentives in Chapel Hill, NC 

  • 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit for Solar & Batteries
  • Up to $9,000 Duke Energy PowerPair Solar Incentive 

Our solar designers will work with you to maximize your electric bill savings while meeting your energy goals and can walk through the many home solar financing options available

Get started with a free virtual solar assessment to see if your home is right for solar. 

Getting Started with Solar Power in Orange County

Our process is designed to educate and empower you so you can make a smart solar decision.

Discover.

Talk to our solar educators to learn about solar power. Fill out a free solar quote request form to get started.

Design.

Work with one of our solar designers to customize a system that meets your home and family’s energy goals.

Save.

Enjoy 30+ years of sunny savings -- Save the world, save your wallet, save the future!

Shining in North Carolina Since 2001

Born and bred in Raleigh, NC, Southern Energy Management is North Carolina’s oldest local solar company. With over 23 years of experience installing solar and battery systems across North Carolina, our team of 180+ in-house solar and building performance professionals have the experience and expertise to find the best solar solution for any scenario. 

Our Solar Team Loves Chapel Hill Too!

Check out their favorite Chapel Hill / Carrboro restaurants

Mediterranean Deli

Brandon P.
Communications & Outreach

Cham Thai

Kelsey W.
DC Foreman, Crew Lead

Al's Burger Shack

Dave A.
Solar Designer & Educator

Business for Good

As a Certified B Corporation, we’re one of 4,000+ companies across the world using business as a force for good. We measure our success by our impact on our workers, our community, the environment, and our customers.

Adjectives describing B Corps

Frequently Asked Questions

The demand for solar in North Carolina is strong! Our local solar market is continuing to grow, with North Carolina still leading the list of Top Solar Power States at number four. 

Solar-friendly utility policies in North Carolina, such as net metering help make solar a beneficial investment for businesses and homeowners across the Triangle. Incentives like the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit make the climate for solar in North Carolina even better!

Duke Energy recently launched a new PowerPair solar + battery incentive program. This incentive is available to eligible Duke Energy customers in North Carolina who install a new solar system with battery storage at their home. When combined with the 30% Federal Tax Credit for solar, North Carolina homes can see up to 50% savings off the cost of a new solar + battery system.

Learn all about the PowerPair incentive!

Without looking at your home and learning about how you use energy, it is hard to tell how much energy you can produce and whether going solar will be a good investment for you. Whether or not purchasing a solar system will be cheaper than paying your monthly electric bill is determined by how much electricity you typically use, how many panels can fit on your roof, and how much sunlight your roof gets each day. Luckily, our team of solar educators can help with a quick solar site assessment to point you in the right direction!

Our average size system in Chapel Hill is 8.4kW priced around $24,500 before taxes, or $17,150 after the 30% Federal Tax Credit for solar. What size solar system you need depends on several factors. Check out this blog to learn more!

If you live in Chapel Hill and use social media, chances are you’ve some form of advertisement saying “Free Solar Program for Orange County Residents”. Unfortunately, there is no magical fairy that will grant you a free solar system in Chapel Hill, but there are Zero Down financing options that allow you to purchase a solar system with zero upfront cost.

Here’s our guide to Zero Down financing in North Carolina.

On average, Chapel Hill gets 216 days of sunshine per year (slightly above the US average of 205 days). June is Chapel Hill’s sunniest month with an average of 267 hours of sunshine. If you’re worried about how much sun your home in Chapel Hill gets, our solar designers have fancy tools to measure the sun exposure on your roof. We’d be happy to provide you with a free virtual assessment of your home.

Request a free solar assessment to get started!