PowerPair Cohort B Still Available: Your Last Chance for Maximum Solar Savings

Homeowners in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte have a unique opportunity that’s quickly disappearing. Duke Energy’s PowerPair Cohort B program is still accepting applications in these areas, but capacity is filling fast. This pilot program offers the highest financial incentives available for solar and battery installations in North Carolina, with participants receiving up to $9,000 in upfront rebates plus ongoing monthly credits.

The PowerPair program has already reached capacity limits in many Duke Energy territories across North Carolina, making these remaining spots in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte incredibly valuable. For homeowners who have been considering solar energy, this represents a limited-time opportunity to maximize their investment returns and join North Carolina’s clean energy future.

Understanding why PowerPair Cohort B offers superior financial benefits compared to Cohort A, and why these specific markets still have availability can help you make an informed decision about your solar investment before this opportunity closes forever.

What Makes PowerPair Cohort B the Best Solar Deal

PowerPair Cohort B stands out as the most financially attractive solar option available to North Carolina homeowners. Unlike Cohort A, which operates under standard time-of-use rates, Cohort B participants benefit from Duke Energy’s Bridge Rate structure designed to maximize savings for solar customers.

The financial advantages of Cohort B are substantial. Participants receive the same upfront installation incentives as Cohort A—up to $3,600 for solar panels (capped at 10kW) and up to $5,400 for battery storage (capped at 13.5kWh). However, Cohort B participants also receive ongoing monthly bill credits through the Battery Control program, which provides approximately $37 per month for a typical 10kW battery system.

This monthly credit adds up to $442 annually, creating a steady income stream that continues throughout your participation in the program. Over the required 10-year participation period, this translates to over $4,400 in additional savings beyond the upfront incentives.

The Bridge Rate structure in Cohort B also provides more favorable compensation for excess solar energy exported to the grid compared to the time-of-use rates in Cohort A. This means your solar system generates more value from every kilowatt-hour it produces, whether you’re using the energy directly or selling it back to Duke Energy.

Why Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte Still Have Availability

While many Duke Energy territories across North Carolina have reached their PowerPair capacity limits, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte maintain available slots due to several factors in these markets.

These metropolitan areas have experienced different adoption patterns compared to rural communities where the program filled more quickly. Urban and suburban homeowners often face more complex decision-making processes due to factors like HOA approvals, roof condition assessments, and coordination with existing electrical infrastructure.

The higher property values and diverse housing stock in these areas mean homeowners may have been taking more time to evaluate their options or coordinate installations with other home improvement projects. This measured approach has created an opportunity for new applicants in these high-demand markets.

The availability in these specific areas also reflects Duke Energy’s strategic distribution of program capacity across different geographic regions and customer demographics. The utility company wants to gather operational data from diverse residential solar installations to better understand grid impacts and system performance across various housing types and usage patterns.

Understanding Cohort B Requirements and Benefits

Participation in PowerPair Cohort B requires homeowners to allow Duke Energy limited control over their battery storage system, but the benefits far outweigh this requirement. Under the Battery Control program, Duke Energy can discharge your battery during 30-36 events per year to help balance grid demand during peak usage periods.

These control events are scheduled and typically occur during summer afternoon peak hours when electricity demand is highest. During these times, your battery provides clean energy back to the grid, helping reduce strain on the electrical system while earning you monthly credits. Most homeowners find these events have minimal impact on their daily routines.

The battery control system is designed with homeowner needs in mind. Duke Energy can’t access your battery during extended outages or emergency situations—it remains available to power your essential home systems when you need backup power most. The system also maintains adequate charge levels to ensure your battery is ready for both scheduled grid support events and unexpected outages.

Participants retain full control over their solar panel production and can still use their battery for backup power, load shifting, and maximizing their solar investment. The only difference is that Duke Energy can occasionally use a portion of your stored energy to support grid stability, compensating you generously for this service.

How PowerPair Compares to Standard Solar Installations

The financial advantages of PowerPair Cohort B become clear when compared to standard solar installations without utility incentives. A 10kW solar system with 13.5kWh battery storage costs approximately $30,000 before incentives in North Carolina.

Without PowerPair, homeowners rely solely on the 30% federal tax credit, reducing the system cost to about $21,000. While this represents significant savings, PowerPair participants achieve much greater value through the combination of upfront incentives and ongoing monthly credits.

PowerPair Cohort B participants receive up to $9,000 in upfront incentives, reducing the pre-tax credit cost to $21,000. After applying the federal tax credit to this reduced amount, the net investment drops to approximately $14,700—a total reduction of over 50% from the original system cost.

The ongoing monthly credits further improve the return on investment. With $37 monthly credits for a 10kW battery system, participants recover an additional $4,420 over the 10-year participation period, bringing the effective system cost down to roughly $10,280. This creates savings of nearly $20,000 compared to a standard installation without PowerPair benefits.

Application Process and Timeline for Remaining Spots

The application process for PowerPair Cohort B follows a first-come, first-served basis for the remaining capacity in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. Homeowners must work with a Duke Energy Trade Ally installer to submit their application and complete their installation within the program timeline.

Your installer will handle most of the paperwork and coordinate with Duke Energy throughout the process. The application requires homeowner signature and commitment to the 10-year participation period. Early termination fees apply if you leave the program before the 10-year commitment, though exceptions exist for circumstances beyond your control.

Installation timing is critical for program participation. Your system has to be operational within specific timeframes to qualify for incentives, and delays can result in losing your program slot. Working with experienced installers who understand PowerPair requirements helps ensure smooth project completion and program qualification.

Once enrolled, you’ll begin receiving monthly battery control credits after your system becomes operational and Duke Energy activates the battery control features. The transition is seamless, and most homeowners report no noticeable impact on their daily energy usage patterns.

Making the Most of Limited Availability

With PowerPair capacity filling rapidly across North Carolina, homeowners in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte face a unique but time-sensitive opportunity. The program’s popularity stems from its financial benefits, but this same popularity means available spots won’t last long.

Taking action quickly is essential for several reasons. The first-come, first-served enrollment process means delays could result in missing out entirely once capacity is reached. Coordinating solar installations takes time, and waiting too long could push your project beyond program deadlines even if you secure a spot.

The long-term benefits of PowerPair participation reach beyond cost savings. As North Carolina continues developing its clean energy infrastructure, early participants in programs like PowerPair position themselves at the forefront of the state’s energy transition. This early adoption provides financial benefits and the satisfaction of contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

For homeowners considering solar energy, PowerPair Cohort B is the most attractive financial opportunity currently available in North Carolina. The combination of substantial upfront incentives, ongoing monthly credits, favorable rate structures, and federal tax credits creates an investment scenario that may not be available again in the foreseeable future.

Secure Your PowerPair Cohort B Spot Today

The PowerPair Cohort B opportunity won’t last indefinitely. As one of North Carolina’s most generous solar incentive programs, remaining capacity is filling quickly as more homeowners discover the exceptional savings available through this pilot program.

Acting now ensures you can take advantage of up to $9,000 in upfront incentives, ongoing monthly credits that add thousands more in savings, and favorable rate structures designed specifically for solar customers. Combined with the federal tax credit, participants often achieve total savings exceeding 50% of their system costs while contributing to a cleaner energy future for North Carolina.

8MSolar has extensive experience helping North Carolina homeowners navigate the PowerPair application process and maximize their solar investment returns. Our team understands the program requirements, timeline constraints, and technical specifications needed for successful participation. As a Duke Energy Trade Ally installer, we can guide you through every step from initial consultation through system activation and PowerPair enrollment.

Don’t let this limited opportunity pass by. Contact 8MSolar today to learn how PowerPair Cohort B can transform your energy costs while positioning your home at the forefront of North Carolina’s clean energy revolution. With remaining capacity filling fast, securing your spot now ensures you won’t miss out on the best solar deal available in the state.