NC S826

Voids and makes unenforceable deed restrictions, covenants, or agreements that prohibit or prevent installation of solar collectors on residential properties, effective for restrictions recorded on or after the bill's enactment date.

Permits deed restrictions to regulate location or screening of solar collectors only if regulations do not reduce operating efficiency by more than 10%, and allows restrictions on solar collectors visible from facades or roofs facing common or public areas.

Allows third-party ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities on customer property to sell electricity to that customer without being classified as a public utility, provided the facility is sized to supply no more than 125% of the customer's average annual electricity consumption.

Requires third-party owners to report proposed renewable energy facility construction to the Utilities Commission prior to beginning construction and establishes a $25.00 filing fee for such reports.

Permits third-party owned renewable energy facilities to participate in net metering arrangements with public utilities and allows the Commission to approve nondiscriminatory fee schedules for customers using distributed energy resources.