If its plan is approved by the , will pay rent to businesses, schools, and homeowners for the use of their roofs. The Commission is expected to make its decision before January 31.

The current plan is a smaller version of a previously rejected plan from June, which proposed panel arrays on 850 roofs. The plan was rejected because it was deemed it would raise rates and impede the development of more cost-effective forms of alternative power. Due to the high cost of solar panel installation, the original plan was expected to raise residential power bills by approximately 34 cents a month -- the new plan will only raise them by about eight cents.

The hosts renting out their rooftops will still have to pay for the electricity they use, but that should be offset by their rental income. North Carolina property owners interested in the program can read more details and apply .