South Carolina PSC approves Duke Energy program to add 200 MW of new large-scale renewables

The Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) has approved Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program in South Carolina, enabling the company to expand renewable energy options for customers. View the PSCSC order here.

The Green Source Advantage program builds on similar programs that Duke Energy has offered to large customers since 2014. The program offers large customers the flexibility of selecting and negotiating all price terms directly with a renewable supplier of their choice as well as retaining renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated by the renewable facility. The customer and renewable energy supplier can also agree on the contract length that is right for them.

“This program offers a viable, expedient and cost-effective path for large customers seeking to advance their renewable energy and sustainability goals,” said Michael Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “Green Source Advantage will help them meet these goals on their terms.”

The application window for the program opens March 29 at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit duke-energy.com/scgreensource for application details and eligibility requirements.

The program will be available until the total capacity of 200 MW is fully subscribed. Of this 200-MW capacity, 35 MW will be set aside for local government and university customers for nine months.

The remaining 165 MW will be reserved for large nonresidential customers — 125 MW for Duke Energy Carolinas and 40 MW for Duke Energy Progress.

Duke Energy Carolinas serves more than 600,000 customers primarily in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Duke Energy Progress serves more than 170,000 primarily in the Pee Dee region of the state.

Collaborating to expand renewables in the Palmetto State

Green Source Advantage is yet another win for South Carolina customers and is a direct result of historic collaborative efforts in recent years.

Act 236 – landmark legislation passed in 2014 – provided a framework for customers to install solar on their homes and businesses through strategic programs like the net metering incentive and rebate offerings. The company has provided more than $65 million in rebates as an extra incentive for customers who wanted to go solar across its South Carolina footprint. The company also created shared solar programs in the state – allowing customers to participate in the benefits of renewable energy without installing solar panels at their home or business.

In 2019, Act 62 further enabled programs like the Green Source Advantage and shared solar. The law also encouraged continued collaboration by utilities with leading solar providers, environmental groups and renewable energy advocates that, if approved by regulators, will create long-term stability for the residential solar industry in South Carolina through what could be the next generation of net energy metering for the Carolinas.

News item from Duke Energy

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/02/psc-approves-duke-energy-green-source-renewables-plan/