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Cary goes solar!

As of 2026, Cary has over 2,150kW of installed solar on town-owned facilities that continues to grow! Solar photovoltaics can be found at the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility, Fire Station 8, the USA Baseball National Training Center, and on several GoCary bus stops. Completed in December 2023, Cary’s Solar Feasibility Study outlines the priority sites for rooftop solar and helps guide future renewable installations. Cary is a Gold-Level Community through the Department of Energy's SolSmart program due to our streamlined processes that make it faster, easier, and more affordable for residents to access solar installation.

Cary's Ground-Mounted Solar Array at SCWRF

Cary’s largest solar array is a 2.1MWdc facility located at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF). This system was put into service in 2012 under a leasing agreement and was purchased by Cary in 2022, further advancing Cary's renewable energy initiatives. As of now, electricity produced is purchased by Duke Energy Progress through a power purchase agreement (PPA), and Cary maintains the renewable energy credits (RECs).

Solar Array Energy Production

Solar energy is also powering our residential and business community in Cary! Adding rooftop solar to your home is an opportunity to capture the sun’s rays to offset your electricity use. Explore below to learn how solar works and if solar is right for your home!

How does solar work?

Solar energy is turned to usable electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels. This is when light from the sun is captured in PV panels to create power in the form of electricity. This electricity is sent to an inverter to convert power from direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power that your home can use.

Learn more about solar photovoltaic basics from the US Department of Energy.

Solar can also be captured for thermal water heating. Learn more at the NC Sustainable Energy Association solar page.

Lastly, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has residential consumer guides and resources to dive further into solar energy.

Going Solar in Cary

Adding solar to your property is an actionable step to lowering electricity bills, potentially increasing your home value, and reduce your carbon footprint. Below are steps and tips to guide your solar journey in Cary.

Cary Solar Permit Requirements

As a SolSmart Gold designated community, Cary has an efficient and streamlined inspection and permit process for rooftop solar installations. Follow Cary Permitting Checklist and Requirements for Solar Installation and visit Cary Inspections & Permits for more information.

Processing time for online permit applications is 3 business days from the submittal date of a complete and accurate application. Contact 311 if you have any additional questions about the permitting process for adding solar to your home or business.

Evaluate Solar Potential

Grid Interconnection

Find the Right Solar Company for You

Finding the right solar company can feel daunting. These resources can help you feel more confident in your selection!

Duke Energy Progress - Find it Duke tool

Search for certified solar professionals on the North America Board Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Directory Learn more about NABCEP here.

Amicus Solar Cooperative is business member-owned cooperative across the country. Explore members in North Carolina.

Incentives, Rebates, and Solar Financing

Duke Energy Progress Solar + Battery Incentives through PowerPair - Duke Energy Progress customers can receive up to $9,000 in incentives when adding rooftop solar to their home and pairing it with backup batter storage.

Duke Energy Power Manager incentive program is where Duke Energy utilizes electricity stored in your battery 30-36 times throughout the year. In return, you would receive bill credit up to $6.50/kW monthly.

Currently, there are no state or federal tax rebates for residential solar energy.

The Clean Energy States Alliance offers a Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing which may provide you with additional financial information.