The huge up-front investment it takes to build a solar energy system has kept the technology from winning mainstream appeal. Until recently, many industry members and the public thought technology kept the cost high and out of the reach of masses, The News and Observer reported.

Now, solar advocates like Duke Energy are saying in addition to incentives from government, a financial plan can make the green technology more feasible. Duke's plan would remove the $50,000 installation cost and could outfit thousands of homes and businesses with solar panels.

It's similar to an arrangement in which a private solar installer like SunEdison owns the solar panels on a customer's rooftop and sells the power directly to the property owner. This is often more economically viable for would-be customers.

The private contracts, however, would not be allowed in states where electric utilities hold monopolies over power sales. In North Carolina, Duke Energy plans to modify the idea to be the installer itself and cover at least part of the cost.