solar energy

A RENU Energy Solutions installer puts panels on a roof in Davidson.

Solar installers ‘booked’ through 2025 as homeowners rush to get expiring federal tax credits

Zachary Turner

Clean energy tax credits have saved people money on home solar installations for more than 20 years. They’re set to expire at the end of this year, after the Trump administration canceled them. However, it might already be too late for homeowners to save on new solar.

Solar panels are installed on a home in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Environment

NC Attorney General sues EPA to restore more than $150 million in solar energy money to state

Adam Wagner

Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 22 other states in suing the Environmental Protection Agency to restore the $7 billion program. It would have helped provide rooftop solar systems to low-income and rural households.

An array of solar panels — enough to power almost 200 homes — is providing electricity for the headquarters of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina in Winston-Salem. Image courtesy of the Piedmont Environmental Alliance.

Environment

Solar project helps Second Harvest Food Bank reduce costs and carbon footprint

Paul Garber

About 1,700 panels now help power the food bank’s headquarters in Winston-Salem.

Workers in Frankfurt, Kentucky install solar panels on a rooftop in July, 2023. Tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will reduce the cost of panels by 30%, which will in turn lower monthly electricity bills. MICHAEL CONROY/AP

Environment

Solarize the Triad project aims to boost knowledge, decrease costs of solar energy

Paul Garber

The new private-public coalition is working to expand solar energy usage in the region through community outreach and group purchasing of materials and services.

An EPA grant will help fund solar energy use for low and moderate-income homes in North Carolina. Adobe stock photo.

Politics & Government

EPA boosts funding for solar energy in North Carolina

Neal Charnoff

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a North Carolina organization $156 million to strengthen solar energy use across the state. Governor Roy…

Politics & Government

In Energy Bill, Cooper Faces Dilemma With Wind Farm Pause

Neal Charnoff

Governor Roy Cooper may face a tough choice with pending energy legislation. A bill on his desk could force him to boost the state's bright solar industry…