Settlement spurs investment in South Carolina solar

South Carolina’s solar industry will see a major boost thanks to a settlement reached by Duke Energy and conservation groups represented by SELC this week.

The settlement agreement is the latest step in carrying out Act 236, landmark legislation enacted last year that will provide unprecedented access to solar for Duke’s South Carolinian customers, if the Public Service Commission approves the programs this year.

The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, represented by SELC, were in negotiations regarding the utility’s Distributed Energy Resource programs designed to spur investments in residential and commercial solar.

The settlement lays the foundation for greater access to community solar, where those who may not be able to install their own solar system, like an apartment dweller, can access power from a shared solar system and receive credit on their monthly bill from any excess power generated.

“We applaud Duke Energy for choosing to employ these programs that will bring more renewable power to South Carolinians,” said Blan Holman, senior attorney in SELC’s Charleston office.

Duke also committed to constructing 50 MW of large-scale solar, which will be a major boost to solar capacity in the Palmetto State.

More background is available in our press release and this article from the Charlotte Business Journal.