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North Carolina & South Carolina (NC) • Duke Energy Carolinas & Duke Energy ProgressModel: Time-Varying

Duke Energy Carolinas & Progress "Solar Choice" (bridge/RSC) Tariff Guide

Under NCUC and PSCSC orders, Duke Energy replaced traditional annual 1:1 net metering with the "Residential Solar Choice" (Schedule RSC) tariff featuring TOU import buckets, $22–$28 minimum monthly bills, and 3.4¢/kWh avoided-cost export rates across time buckets.

Peak Import Rate
$0.16 – $0.21 / kWh (Summer On-Peak 6 PM – 9 PM / Winter 6 AM – 9 AM)
Midday Export Credit
$0.034 – $0.048 / kWh (Avoided Cost Export outside Peak)
Peak Export / VPP Bonus
$0.16 – $0.21 / kWh (On-Peak Netting Window)
Min Monthly Bill
$22.00 – $28.00 Minimum Monthly Bill + Grid Access Fee (over 15kW)

1. 24-Hour Import Cost vs. Export Credit Visualizer

Schedule: Schedule RSC (Residential Solar Choice) & Bridge Rate Rider

Compare what Duke Energy Carolinas & Duke Energy Progress charges you to import 1 kWh vs. what they pay you when you export 1 kWh during each time window—and how your battery inverter should be programmed:

6:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Winter Critical Peak!)
Import: 19¢/kWhExport: 19¢/kWh
Grid Buy:
Grid Sell:
Inverter Dispatch Rule: Solar produces near-zero at 6 AM in January; discharge LFP battery from 6 AM–9 AM to avoid Duke Winter Peak!
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daytime Solar Generation)
Import: 12¢/kWhExport: 3.6¢/kWh
Grid Buy:
Grid Sell:
Inverter Dispatch Rule: Midday exports beyond monthly bucket earn only ~3.6¢ avoided cost; charge battery to 100% SoC
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Summer On-Peak)
Import: 19¢/kWhExport: 19¢/kWh
Grid Buy:
Grid Sell:
Inverter Dispatch Rule: Sun is setting at 6 PM; run heat pump & kitchen off LFP battery during 6 PM–9 PM On-Peak
1:00 AM – 6:00 AM (Super Off-Peak Discount)
Import: 8¢/kWhExport: 3.1¢/kWh
Grid Buy:
Grid Sell:
Inverter Dispatch Rule: Pre-charge battery at 8¢ in winter before 6 AM–9 AM morning peak

2. Forensic Tariff & Battery Arbitrage Math

Battery Pairing Necessity Score: 82% Recommended (Eliminates instantaneous TOU netting mismatch & Winter 6 AM–9 AM peak)
  • 1The Duke Energy "Bucket Cross-Netting" Catch: Under Duke’s Residential Solar Choice (RSC) tariff, solar kWh exported during Off-Peak hours (9 AM–6 PM) CANNOT be used 1-for-1 to offset electricity consumed during On-Peak hours (6 PM–9 PM Summer or 6 AM–9 AM Winter)!
  • 2Why Solar Alone Fails the 6 PM–9 PM Summer & 6 AM–9 AM Winter Windows:Duke intentionally set On-Peak hours when the sun is either setting (6 PM–9 PM) or barely rising (6 AM–9 AM). Without a battery, 90% of your solar exports fall into the Off-Peak bucket (earning ~3.6¢ avoided cost once Off-Peak imports are zeroed) while you pay full retail for On-Peak power.
  • 3Duke Energy PowerPair $9,000 Rebate: Duke Energy offers up to $9,000 in upfront cash incentives ($3,600 solar + $5,400 battery) under the PowerPair program—paying for over 60% of a home LFP battery system.
Optimal Hardware Architecture for Duke Energy Carolinas & Duke Energy Progress

EG4 18kPV + 14.3kWh PowerPro WallMount (UL9540 Duke Listed)

Estimated Payback under Schedule RSC (Residential Solar Choice) & Bridge Rate Rider: 5.2 – 6.1 Years (Faster with Duke PowerPair $9,000 Rebate)

View Direct Wholesale Pricing →

Duke Energy Carolinas & Duke Energy Progress Solar Tariff FAQ

Why did Duke Energy set Winter On-Peak from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM under Solar Choice?

In the Carolinas, electric heat strips and heat pumps create maximum grid demand between 6 AM and 9 AM on freezing winter mornings—before solar panels wake up. Only a home battery can cover that 6 AM–9 AM peak window.

What happens to unused Duke Energy solar credits at the end of the year?

Any remaining net excess generation at the annual reset date is surrendered or credited only at the low wholesale avoided-cost rate (~3.4¢/kWh).

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