If you’re thinking about pursuing a home solar installation, remember to count on BEMC, your trusted energy partner, to work with you to navigate the process.

One of the first steps when considering home solar could be to give us a call, so we can offer our expertise. We can help you decide what’s best for your unique situation and provide you with our specific installation requirements that make sure the grid stays safe and reliable for all co-op members.

We are a leader among North Carolina electric co-ops in rooftop-mounted solar, and we’re here to help you make informed decisions that maximize your solar investment. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may find helpful.

Where do I start?

A good place to begin is at bemc.org. You’ll find a description and diagram that explain how home solar works, whether rooftop or ground-mounted. Then, gain a deeper understanding of how you use electricity by logging into the free SmartHub app, and look at your usage by the day, week and month. If you think it’s time to talk to a solar company, please consider calling us first. We’ll give you all the information you need about our rates and interconnection requirements, so you can have an informed discussion with them. Solar installers might be missing important facts and details specific to our co-op, and they’ll need that information to give you an accurate financial overview.

How would I be compensated for my solar generation?

We offer Net Metering. When your home uses more energy than your solar installation produces, it will draw from the grid and run through your electric meter, just like normal. When your solar installation produces more energy than your home needs, the amount of excess energy will be captured as it passes through your meter and is delivered to the BEMC grid. Your monthly bill will reflect a deduction for the energy you drew from the grid and a credit for what you contributed back; you are responsible for the “net” difference. While some co-ops pay a wholesale rate for home-generated solar energy, at BEMC we compensate our members for their contributions at the full retail rate—or the same amount we bill you when you draw power from the grid. It’s important to note that most homes, however, consume the majority, if not all the energy generated by their solar array.