Solar

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative supports members who choose to install solar energy systems while ensuring rates remain fair for all members. CCEC members have two options for connecting their solar system to our electric grid:

Buy All/Sell All
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate for Solar Plus Battery Storage

Option 1: Buy All/Sell All

With the Buy All/Sell All option, two electric meters are installed:

One meter measures the electricity your solar panels produce.
A second meter measures the electricity your home uses from the cooperative.

CCEC purchases all the electricity generated by your solar system at an avoided-cost rate, which reflects the wholesale value of the energy. Your home continues to purchase electricity from the cooperative under your applicable retail rate.

This approach ensures that all members continue to share the cost of maintaining the poles, wires, substations, and other infrastructure needed to provide reliable electric service, helping prevent cost shifting between members with and without solar.

Option 2: Solar Plus Battery Storage with a Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate

Members who install solar panels with battery storage may choose to participate in CCEC’s Residential Time-of-Use (TOU) rate instead of the Buy All/Sell All option.

Battery storage gives members greater flexibility by allowing them to:

Charge their batteries during lower-cost, off-peak hours.
Use stored energy during higher-cost, on-peak hours.
Reduce electricity purchased during periods when demand on the electric system is highest.
Maintain backup power during outages, depending on their system configuration.

This option benefits both members and the cooperative by encouraging energy use during lower-demand periods while helping reduce demand on the electric system during peak hours.

Which Option Is Right for You?

The best option depends on your solar system, whether you plan to install battery storage, and your energy use habits. Our Customer Service team can help you understand each option and determine which rate is the best fit for your home before you install your system.

Small System Interconnect Policies & Rates

For an interconnected system, CCEC will purchase the energy generated at its avoided cost. Per the interconnection agreement, all power generated by a member must be either under the Qualifying Facilities Purchased Power rate or the Residential Net Metering rate. Members who interconnect without first agreeing to one of these rates avoid paying the full cost of staying connected to the co-op’s infrastructure. When a home or business is first connected, the co-op has the expectation that the cost of maintaining that service will be recovered through the rates. If a member avoids that cost by self-generating outside of CCEC standards, then the co-op’s ability to maintain service to all members is weakened.

If you are planning to install any type of solar PV or renewable energy system, you must contact the cooperative well in advance to coordinate the installation. All forms must be completed and approved by the cooperative, and all fees must be paid, before work begins.

Why doesn’t CCEC offer traditional net metering?

Under traditional net metering, a home’s electric meter can run backward when the solar system produces more electricity than the home is using. The utility credits that excess energy at the same retail rate the member pays for electricity. While this approach helped encourage rooftop solar adoption, it can also shift some of the costs of maintaining the electric grid to members who do not have solar. As a result, many electric utilities have begun moving away from traditional net metering.

Solar-Plus-Storage Rate

If you install a new solar-plus-battery storage system, not only will you see savings on your monthly electric bill, but you can save even more on our Time of Use (TOU) rate.

How It Works

Program your storage system to use the available battery power during peak periods.
Time of Use encourages you to shift when you use high-energy appliances to off-peak times.
If you reduce your energy usage during peak times (see TOU charts), you have the opportunity to lower your annual energy costs — without reducing the overall amount of electricity you use.
Qualifying systems may take advantage of the cooperative’s purchased power rider described in our rates as (Rider RQF).

Know Before You Buy

As renewable energy technology advances and costs decline, renewable energy options, particularly residential solar installations, are rapidly becoming attractive co-op members.

Call us to discuss. As your trusted energy adviser, you need to call us first to discuss our interconnection policy and how the addition of solar panels will impact your electric bill.
Consider installation costs. Many people think that since sunshine is free, solar energy will be an inexpensive way to power their home. Although prices are dropping, the upfront installation cost causes solar to remain a fairly expensive form of energy, so it’s important to carefully evaluate your options before investing in solar power.
Improve your current energy efficiency first. Before you install a renewable energy source for your property, we strongly recommend you do everything you can to improve your current energy efficiency. A few simple measures, such as adding insulation and weather stripping, can reduce your overall energy consumption.

Solar Energy Frequently Asked Questions

As your local electric cooperative, we are your source for energy and information. Since interest in solar power generation is growing, we put together a series of fact sheets to help answer questions you might have. Contact us for more information about solar and assistance in making decisions about whether solar is a good option for you.

Download Solar Energy FAQs (PDF)

Avoiding Scams with Solar Energy

Solar energy is booming, and the future is brighter than ever. Through the use of rooftop solar panels, many homeowners can now harness the sun’s natural rays to produce their own electricity that’s environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

But with the increasing popularity of solar, unfortunately, some businesses are taking advantage of consumers who are interested in generating their own energy through rooftop panels.

While many solar companies are genuine and truly want to help consumers with a successful solar installation, there are occasional bad apples.

You’ve likely heard a story or 2 about solar vendors that promised rooftop panels that would generate enough electricity to power the entire home. Then, after the homeowner has paid thousands of dollars for the installation, the solar panels aren’t working, and the vendor is nowhere to be found. Sadly, this story has been the reality for many consumers.

Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor

As with any major home improvement project, purchasing from the right installer/contractor is every bit as important as the product you are purchasing. Due diligence is critical to ensure you get a quality system, for a fair price, and that it’s installed correctly and on time

Download Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor (PDF)

Solar Purchase Tips

solar panels on roof

If you’re interested in solar panels for your home, consider these tips before installation:

Talk to your local electric co-op first. We want you to feel confident about any decisions you make about your home energy use, especially decisions about generating energy at home.
Collect at least 3 quotes from different solar companies to ensure you’re getting a competitive deal. As with any major purchase, research is key, so thoroughly read customer reviews for each of the three solar vendors.
If you speak to a solar vendor and they use high-pressure tactics, like an offer that’s only good for 24 hours, run! Any reputable solar company will recognize that you need time to review a proposal and thoroughly weigh your decision.
You know if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So, if a solar company is making promises that sound unachievable and outlandish, they probably are.
Finally, when it’s time to review and sign a solar contract, make sure the language is clear and easy to understand. Ensure any prior verbal (or emailed) promises are also included in the contract.

Going solar is a major decision, so you’ll want to conduct a good bit of research first. If you’re looking for a general starting point, check out the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar. And remember, if you have any questions, you can always count on CCEC for advice.

Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating technology is a simple method of harnessing the sun’s energy to provide water heating in homes and businesses.

These systems collect energy from the sun to heat air or a fluid. The air or fluid then transfers solar heat directly or indirectly to your water supply. Visit Energy.gov’s Solar Water Heaters page for additional information.

We collected data to gauge the cost benefits of residential solar water heating systems that 2 members installed at their homes. The data shows savings of 95 to 125 kWh of electricity a month, 780 to 1,500 kWh a year.

Solar Water Heating Study (PDF)