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Solar in Durham County, NC

Solar panels in Durham, NC

4.8 peak sun hours per day. See what the data says about Durham, then check your specific roof free.

Utility territory: Duke Energy Progress

Local context

What limits Durham roofs

Durham averages 4.8 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Solar data for Durham

Peak sun hours / day
4.8 hrs

Modeled annual average.

Typical system size
5–8 kW

Residential, based on typical household load.

Estimated first-year savings
$600–$900

Per year for a typical 5–8 kW system. The high end assumes the larger array.

Roofs suitable for solar
60–72%

Modeled from regional adoption data.

Primary utility
Duke Energy Progress

Contact your utility for current net billing enrollment status.

Net metering / billing
Net Billing (RCP)

Duke Energy ended 1:1 net metering for new solar; under Residential Solar Choice / the Net-Metering Bridge, energy you use on-site offsets at full retail while net excess is credited near avoided cost (~3.5¢/kWh), with time-of-use periods and a monthly minimum bill — the older 1:1 program is closed.

Estimates use the average North Carolina current utility rate (before solar) of $0.12/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading.

Personalized estimate

Estimate your first-year solar savings

Start with your bill or adjust the rate and typical system size for Durham.

kW

Typical homes: 5–8 kW.

$/ kWh

Prefilled with the state residential average.

Estimated first-year savings

$750/ yr

$600–$900/yr for a typical 5–8 kW system — the low end is a smaller array, the high end a larger one.

Estimate — individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. Assumes an 85% system derate and 50% self-consumption; exported energy uses the local net-billing estimate.

City averages are a starting point — check your address for your verified result.

Frequently asked questions

How much sun does Durham get for solar?

Durham receives approximately 4.8 peak sun hours per day on average, based on modeled regional data.

What is the estimated first-year savings from solar in Durham?

For a typical 5–8 kW system in Durham, first-year savings are estimated at $600–$900 per year: the low end uses the smaller system, while the high end is up to the larger system. Estimates use the average North Carolina current utility rate (before solar) of $0.12/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. These are educational estimates, not guarantees.

What can limit solar production in Durham?

Durham averages 4.8 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Data source: City figures are modeled estimates for general guidance — not a quote for any specific property.

Ready to check your roof in Durham?

The city data above is a regional estimate. Enter your address to get a personalized result based on your actual roof.

Solar data for nearby North Carolina cities

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