Solar permits in Raleigh are handled by the City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department (One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400 / 919-996-2500). Most residential one- and two-family rooftop solar systems qualify for same-day online permitting through the City of Raleigh Permit and Development Portal.

at permitportal.raleighnc.gov. A signed and sealed design professional document is required for all applications. Solar Permit Solutions delivers portal-ready, PE-stamped plan sets in 2-5 business days, including the sealed document required for same-day permit processing.

Raleigh Solar Market Overview

Raleigh is the capital of a state that ranks #4 nationally in installed solar capacity. As of 2024, the city has recorded more than 1,500 solar installations and holds a SolSmart Silver designation for streamlined solar permitting – with active pursuit of SolSmart Gold. The combination of the city’s same-day online permit pathway, Duke Energy Progress service territory, and an 80% property tax exclusion for solar makes Raleigh one of the most installer-friendly markets in North Carolina.

Key Market Facts

AHJ	City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department
Office Address	One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone	919-996-2500
Permit Portal	permitportal.raleighnc.gov
Residential Pathway	Same-day online for most rooftop systems (combined building and electrical permit)
Utility	Duke Energy Progress (DEP) — separate subsidiary from DEC (Charlotte)
SolSmart Status	Silver (2022), pursuing Gold designation
Applicable Code	2020 NC Electrical Code (NEC with NC amendments) / 2020 NC Building Code

City of Raleigh Planning and Development – AHJ Details

The Authority Having Jurisdiction for solar permits within Raleigh city limits is the City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department. Unlike Mecklenburg County’s dual-permit requirement, Raleigh includes the electrical permit within the residential building permit application – no separate electrical application is required for rooftop solar.

Contact and Submission Information

Office	One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone	919-996-2500
Permit Portal	permitportal.raleighnc.gov
Email (Residential)	DowntownDS@raleighnc.gov
Email (Commercial)	CommercialBuilding@raleighnc.gov
Permits Required	Single combined residential permit application (electrical subcontractor listed within the application – no separate electrical permit)
Zoning Permit	Not required for rooftop solar that does not exceed UDO height limits. Solar is allowed by right in all residential zoning districts.
Plan Review	Same-day online for most residential rooftop systems. Multi-trade review (stormwater and building) for flagged projects and ground-mounted systems.

KEY ADVANTAGE VS. CHARLOTTE: Unlike Mecklenburg County, which requires two separate permit applications (building and electrical) through the Accela portal with a 1-4 week plan review, Raleigh combines both into a single application and offers same-day online permitting for most residential rooftop solar systems. The design professional’s sealed document is what enables this accelerated pathway. Solar Permit Solutions provides this sealed document as part of every plan set.

Required Documents for Raleigh Solar Permit

All residential rooftop applications require:

• Completed Residential Permit Application
• Plans showing PV array, inverters, combiners, controllers, mounting system, and wiring schematic
• Specification sheets and manufacturer installation instructions for all system components
• Signed and sealed design professional document confirming structural installation compliance with NC State Residential Code
• Lien Agent Notice (if required via liensnc.com)
• Owner Exemption Affidavit (if required per NCGS 87-1(b)(1))

Note: Each document must be submitted as a separate PDF. ZIP files are not accepted. Files over 30 MB should be submitted via file-sharing link (Dropbox, Google Drive) to DowntownDS@raleighnc.gov.

Ground-mounted systems and flagged projects require a full plan review via email submission and a site plan (not required for rooftop systems). Projects are routed for stormwater and multi-trade plan review.

Duke Energy Progress – Interconnection and Net Metering

Raleigh and most of Wake County are served by Duke Energy Progress (DEP). DEP is a separate Duke Energy subsidiary from Duke Energy Carolinas (which serves Charlotte). The rate structures are similar in design, but the specific fee amounts differ. Understanding which subsidiary serves your project is critical for accurate financial projections.

Level 1 Interconnection (Most Residential Systems)

Residential systems up to 10 kW AC qualify as Level 1 interconnection – no application fee. Systems above 10 kW AC fall under Level 2 (up to 20 kW) with a $50 application fee. Duke Energy requires an electrical one-line diagram and equipment specifications with the interconnection application. After installation and inspection, submit a Certification of Completion for Permission to Operate.

Net Metering Options for New Raleigh Solar Customers

New solar customers (interconnection submitted after October 1, 2023) choose between two programs:

Net Metering Bridge (NMB): Most common choice. Flat-rate modified net metering for up to 15 years. Annual enrollment caps, first-come, first-served. Closed to new enrollments after January 1, 2027. Excess energy was credited at the NEEC avoided cost rate (~3.4 cents/kWh). No grid access fee regardless of system size. $28/month minimum bill (DEP). Non-bypassable charge: $0.44/kW/month. Customers retain RECs. No Time-of-Use requirement

Residential Solar Choice (RSC) – Time of UseTime-of-use rate schedule, open to new customers indefinitely (no annual cap). Energy credits vary by time period. Requires enrollment in the TOU/CPP rate schedule. Grid Access Fee of $1.50/kW/month for systems >15 kW DC. $28/month minimum bill (DEP). Non-bypassable charge: $0.44/kW/month. Customers retain RECs. No annual enrollment cap, no waitlist risk

LEGACY DEP CUSTOMERS: Duke Energy Progress customers with interconnection agreements in place prior to October 1, 2023, remain on the Legacy Net Metering rate (1:1 retail credit) through December 31, 2026. After that, they will be automatically transitioned to Rider NMB.

Duke Energy PowerPair Program

Duke Energy Progress customers are eligible for the PowerPair incentive – up to $9,000 for residential customers who install solar paired with battery storage ($3,600 for solar + $5,400 for battery). Must be installed by a Duke Energy Trade Ally. Limited capacity, first-come first-served. Program selection (NMB or RSC) applies at enrollment.

NC State Solar Incentives

• NC Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion: 80% of added home value from solar excluded from property taxes
• The federal 30% residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) was eliminated for systems installed after December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• NC electricity rates have risen approximately 25% from 2021 to 2024, strengthening solar ROI

How Solar Permit Solutions Delivers Your Raleigh Plan Set

1. Submit Your Project Details – Complete our intake form with your property address, system specs (panels, inverter model, and racking system), and any existing site documentation. We use satellite imagery to assess your roof – no on-site visit required.
2. Receive Your Flat-Rate Invoice – We confirm your project scope and issue a transparent flat-rate invoice. No hidden fees – you know the full cost before any engineering work begins.
3. Engineering and Plan Set Design – Our engineers design your Raleigh-compliant plan set incorporating NC Building Code structural requirements, NC Electrical Code compliance, and all documents required for the City of Raleigh Permit Portal application – including the signed and sealed design professional document that enables same-day processing.
4. PE Stamp and Delivery in 2-5 Business Days – Your completed plan set is reviewed and stamped by a North Carolina-licensed Professional Engineer and delivered digitally in portal-ready PDF format – each document as a separate PDF per Raleigh’s file submission requirements.
5. Unlimited Revisions Until Approved – If the City of Raleigh requests corrections, we revise your plan set at no additional charge until your permit is issued.

Service Area – Raleigh, Wake County, and the Greater Triangle

Solar Permit Solutions designs permit-ready plan sets for every city, town, and jurisdiction in the Triangle region. Each municipality has its own AHJ and portal – we tailor every plan set to the specific jurisdiction where the project is located.

Primary Cities	Raleigh (City of Raleigh), Durham (City of Durham), Cary (Town of Cary), Chapel Hill
Wake County	Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell
Surrounding Counties	Chatham County (Pittsboro), Orange County (Hillsborough), Johnston County (Clayton)
Coverage	All Wake County jurisdictions and greater Triangle metro