Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy | Solar Installation | Electrical | Old Fort
Imagine harnessing the abundant mountain sunshine that bathes Old Fort each day and transforming it into clean, reliable power for your home or business. HEP’s renewable energy electrical team brings decades of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology together in a seamless solar installation that lowers utility bills, boosts property value, and dramatically shrinks your carbon footprint. From the first on-site assessment to flipping the switch on your new array, our NABCEP-certified technicians handle every detail with a neighborly touch and an ironclad workmanship warranty.
We custom-design each system for the unique contours of your roof or land, using premium panels built to thrive in North Carolina’s diverse weather. Real-time monitoring lets you watch your energy production rise along with your savings, while our flexible financing options make going solar easier than ever. Join the growing community of Old Fort residents already enjoying energy independence and discover how HEP turns sunlight into peace of mind—one solar installation at a time.
FAQs
Is Old Fort sunny enough for solar power to make sense?
Yes. Old Fort averages about 4.6–5.0 peak sun-hours per day over the year, similar to the rest of western North Carolina. That level of irradiance is more than adequate to produce strong solar yields. A properly sized 6 kW rooftop array can typically generate 7,500–8,200 kWh annually—enough to offset 70–100 % of a typical household’s electricity consumption.
What incentives or rebates can Old Fort homeowners and businesses use to lower the cost of going solar?
• Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): Through 2032 you can claim 30 % of the project cost—including panels, inverters, mounting, batteries, and labor—as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your federal taxes. • North Carolina State Property-Tax Exemption: The added value of a solar system is exempt from county property tax assessments. • Utility Rebates: Duke Energy’s Solar Rebate program occasionally re-opens for residential (up to $4,000) and nonprofit/commercial customers (up to $30,000). Funds are first-come, first-served. • Net-Metering Bill Credits: Excess electricity you export lowers future bills, shortening payback. • USDA REAP Grants: Rural businesses and agricultural producers near Old Fort may qualify for up to 50 % of system cost. Our team will prepare all incentive paperwork for you and apply the savings directly to your proposal.
What steps are involved in getting a solar array installed in Old Fort?
1. Site Assessment: We inspect your roof or ground location, measure shading with a SunEye meter, verify structural integrity, and review your last 12 months of utility bills. 2. Custom Design & Proposal: You receive a 3-D layout, production estimate (using PV Watts and Aurora), full cost breakdown, incentive analysis, and financial projection. 3. Permitting & Utility Interconnection: We handle the McDowell County building permit, zoning review, structural engineer letter (if required), and the Duke Energy interconnection application. 4. Installation: A typical 8 kW residential system is completed in 1–2 days by our NABCEP-certified electricians. Ground-mounts and battery systems may take 3–4 days. 5. Inspection & PTO (Permission to Operate): County and utility inspectors sign off; Duke installs a bidirectional meter, after which the system is energized. 6. Monitoring & Support: You receive an app for real-time production tracking, and we perform a complimentary check-up at 12 months.
How does net metering work with Duke Energy in Old Fort?
Under Duke Energy’s current net-metering structure (NC Docket E-100, Sub 180), energy you export during daylight returns to you as bill credits valued at the retail rate minus a small rider charge. Credits roll forward month-to-month and reset each May. If you adopt a Time-of-Use rate with a battery, you can store midday solar and discharge during peak pricing windows, maximizing credit value. We program the inverter and battery so you automatically optimize savings under the latest tariff rules.
What is the typical payback period and ROI for a solar system in Old Fort?
For a 7 kW residential rooftop array costing about $18,500 before incentives (2024 pricing): • After the 30 % ITC the net cost is ~$12,950. • First-year production ~9,100 kWh, saving roughly $1,300 on Duke Energy bills. • With 2-3 % annual utility-rate inflation, simple payback is 8–10 years. • Over a 25-year warranted life the system produces ~$42,000 in avoided electricity, yielding an internal rate of return (IRR) of 8–11 %—tax-free. Commercial systems often pay back in 5–7 years due to accelerated depreciation and larger scale.
What maintenance, warranties, and monitoring are included?
Solar PV has no moving parts, so routine maintenance is minimal. We include: • 25-year manufacturer warranty on modules (performance to 84–87 %). • 25-year warranty on microinverters or 12-year extendable to 25 years on string inverters. • 10-year workmanship warranty covering leaks, wiring, and labor. • Lifetime system monitoring via a mobile/web portal; we receive alerts if production deviates >10 % from forecast. • One complimentary on-site inspection and infrared scan at year 1, and discounted cleanings or service visits thereafter. Should a component fail, our local Old Fort service crew handles replacement parts and labor at no cost within warranty.