Electric vehicles and solar energy have always been a natural pairing.
Many homeowners purchase an EV because they want more control over transportation costs. Many install solar because they want more control over energy costs. Both investments reduce dependence on traditional fuel sources and create more predictability in a world where prices seem to rise every year.
As Duke Energy's solar programs continue to evolve, EV owners have an opportunity to think differently about how they generate, store, and use electricity. While much of the conversation around Duke Energy's net metering changes has focused on solar savings, EV owners may have even more to gain from understanding how these new schedules work.
If you already drive on electricity or are planning to purchase an EV in the future, here's what you should know about Duke Energy's new solar schedules and how they could affect your long-term energy strategy.
For many households, adding an electric vehicle represents one of the largest increases in electricity consumption they will ever experience.
A typical EV driver may use an additional 330 to 400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month for charging. Higher-mileage drivers and households with multiple EVs can consume significantly more.
To put that into perspective, an EV can add thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity usage each year. While most homeowners initially focus on the savings compared to gasoline, it's also worth considering where that electricity comes from and how much it may cost over the life of the vehicle.
Unlike many household energy uses, EV charging is often flexible. A vehicle can be charged during the day, overnight, or at scheduled times based on a homeowner's preferences and available energy sources.
That flexibility becomes increasingly valuable as utility programs place greater emphasis on when electricity is produced and consumed.
For years, many North Carolina solar customers benefited from Legacy Net Metering, which allowed excess solar production to offset electricity consumption at the retail rate. Customers could bank credits during periods of high solar production and use those credits later when their systems produced less energy.
As Duke Energy transitions away from Legacy Net Metering, homeowners considering solar now have different options available.
The two schedules most homeowners evaluate today are:
While both schedules continue to support solar adoption, they approach energy usage and compensation differently.
If you're unfamiliar with these programs, we recommend reading our guide comparing Net Metering Bridge Rider and Residential Solar Choice before diving deeper into how they may affect EV owners.
The important takeaway is that homeowners are increasingly being encouraged to think about when energy is generated, when it is used, and how much energy is exported back to the grid.
One of the biggest themes emerging from Duke Energy's newer solar schedules is the growing value of self-consumption.
Self-consumption simply means using the electricity your solar panels produce rather than exporting it to the grid.
Under traditional net metering structures, many homeowners didn't need to think much about the timing of energy use. Excess production could often be exported during the day and offset electricity purchases later.
As compensation structures evolve, using more of your solar energy directly can become increasingly valuable.
This is where EV owners may have a unique advantage.
An electric vehicle represents a large electrical load that can potentially absorb solar production that might otherwise be exported to the grid. Instead of sending excess energy away for credits at the wholesale rate, homeowners may be able to use more of that production to power their daily transportation needs.
In many ways, an EV can become another tool for increasing self-consumption and maximizing the value of a solar investment.
When people think about solar and EV charging, they often assume there is only one approach.
In reality, there are several ways solar energy can help power an electric vehicle.
The first is direct solar charging. Homeowners who are home during the day or who charge on weekends may be able to use solar production as it is generated.
The second is exporting excess solar production during the day and using grid electricity later to charge the vehicle. Depending on a homeowner's schedule and Duke Energy service option, this may still provide meaningful savings.
The third approach involves combining solar with battery storage. In this scenario, excess solar energy can be stored and used later when the vehicle is charging.
Every household is different. Work schedules, driving habits, solar production, and utility schedules all influence which approach makes the most sense.
The key point is that EV owners often have more opportunities to align energy production and energy consumption than households without an electric vehicle.
Battery storage has become one of the most discussed topics among both current and prospective solar customers.
For EV owners, the value of a battery goes beyond backup power during outages.
A battery allows homeowners to store excess solar production and use it later when it is most beneficial. Rather than relying entirely on real-time solar production, homeowners gain more flexibility over when their energy is consumed.
Potential benefits include:
This does not mean a battery is the right choice for every homeowner. However, as energy usage timing becomes more important and as EV adoption continues to grow, battery storage becomes an increasingly attractive option for many households.
If you already own solar, our article on whether existing North Carolina solar customers should add a battery explores this topic in more detail.
Many EV owners ask whether Net Metering Bridge Rider or Residential Solar Choice is the better option.
The answer depends largely on your goals and how actively you want to manage your energy use.
For homeowners who value simplicity, predictability, and long-term certainty, the Net Metering Bridge rider may be an attractive choice.
For homeowners who are comfortable paying closer attention to when energy is generated and consumed, Residential Solar Choice may create additional opportunities to optimize energy usage.
Neither schedule is universally better for every household.
Factors such as driving habits, work schedules, anticipated EV charging patterns, battery storage plans, and overall energy consumption can all influence which option makes the most sense.
That's why evaluating your specific situation is often more valuable than focusing solely on headline differences between the schedules.
Another emerging trend worth watching is bidirectional EV charging.
Some newer electric vehicles are being designed with the ability to send stored energy back to a home under the right conditions. In some cases, the battery inside an EV may store more energy than a dedicated home battery system.
While the technology is still developing and equipment availability remains limited, the concept highlights a broader shift in how homeowners think about energy.
Rather than viewing solar panels, batteries, EVs, generators, and energy management systems as separate products, more homeowners are beginning to view them as parts of a connected energy ecosystem.
As these technologies continue to mature, EVs may play an increasingly important role in helping homeowners manage energy costs, improve resilience, and make better use of locally generated electricity.
The conversation around Duke Energy's solar schedules often focuses on policy changes and compensation structures.
For EV owners, however, the bigger question may be much simpler.
If you're already replacing gasoline with electricity, does it make sense to generate more of that electricity yourself?
Solar remains one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term energy costs, and EV owners often have more opportunities than the average homeowner to benefit from the electricity their systems produce.
While Duke Energy's schedules continue to evolve, one theme remains consistent: homeowners who understand how energy is generated, stored, and consumed are often better positioned to make informed decisions about their future.
For many EV owners, solar isn't just about lowering an electric bill. It's about creating greater certainty around both household energy costs and transportation costs for years to come.
Whether you're considering your first solar system, evaluating battery storage, or planning for a future EV, Cape Fear Energy Systems can help you understand how Duke Energy's evolving schedules fit into your long-term energy strategy.
Schedule a free consultation to explore how solar, battery storage, EV charging, and home energy management can work together for your home.
Yes. Solar panels can generate electricity that helps power an EV. Depending on your system design, charging habits, and utility schedule, that energy may be used directly, stored in a battery, or exported to the grid and offset against future electricity usage.
The answer depends on how much you drive, your vehicle's efficiency, and your home's overall electricity usage. A solar installer can evaluate your driving habits and energy consumption to determine the appropriate system size.
Battery storage can increase flexibility by allowing homeowners to store excess solar production and use it later. This may help increase self-consumption and provide additional backup power capabilities.
For many homeowners, Net Metering Bridge Rider offers simplicity and long-term predictability. The best option depends on your specific energy usage patterns, future plans, and overall goals.
Every situation is different, but homeowners who are evaluating solar should take time to understand Duke Energy's available schedules and how they may fit into their long-term energy plans before future program transitions occur.