Settlement Agreement Announced between SCE&G, Conservation Groups on Solar Incentive Programs

Charleston, S.C. — Conservation groups reached a settlement agreement today between South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), solar business interests, and other stakeholders on proposed solar programs that will significantly boost solar capacity in SCE&G’s South Carolina service area.

The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, signed a settlement agreement filed today with SCE&G and other intervening parties regarding the utility’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) programs designed to spur investments in residential and commercial solar.

“The Office of Regulatory Staff and all groups at the table should be commended for this instrumental step toward realizing our state’s true solar potential,” said Blan Holman from the Southern Environmental Law Center. “We applaud SCE&G for proposing these incentive programs, which will continue to encourage investments in clean, locally-produced energy.”

Under the agreement, SCE&G’s proposed programs include performance-based credits for solar energy generated by residential, commercial, and tax exempt customers.  The programs will also allow customers who may not have the ability to install individual solar systems (such as residents in an apartment complex) to receive power from a shared solar system–also referred to as community solar–and get credit on their monthly bill from the electricity generated.

“The settlement agreement ensures that SCE&G’s programs will make this renewable energy resource more accessible and affordable for South Carolina families and businesses, and also significantly increases the amount of utility-scale solar power in SCE&G’s territory,” said Toni Nelson from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

SCE&G will also issue a request for proposals (RFP) for large-scale solar projects, soliciting purchase power agreements with 20-year terms.  SCE&G aims to have at least 30 MW of large-scale solar in service by the end of 2016.

As a result of its proposed programs, SCE&G is anticipating at least 84.5 MW of new solar capacity in South Carolina by 2021. Provisions included in the settlement agreement will help SCE&G achieve at least 2% of its peak load from solar by 2021, creating the opportunity for the utility to pursue further investments for additional solar capacity. 

“Making it easier for churches, schools, home and business owners to install solar on their own rooftops will provide significant growth in our state’s renewable energy sector,” said Hamilton Davis from the Coastal Conservation League. “We look forward to continuing this collective work with other solar advocates that will build on our state’s milestone successes and increase South Carolinians’ access to affordable solar power.”

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Southern Environmental Law Center:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is a regional nonprofit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). Founded in 1986, SELC's team of nearly 60 legal and policy experts represent more than 100 partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use. www.SouthernEnvironment.org

Coastal Conservation League:

Since 1989, the Coastal Conservation League has been working with communities, businesses, other conservation and citizen groups to protect what we love about the South Carolina coast. From the white sand beaches and pristine marshes to the freshwater swamps and pine savannahs, we focus on the most efficient and effective ways to protect natural habitats, the wildlife that depends on them and the variety of benefits they bring to this state. We also believe that the communities we live in, the air we breathe and the water we depend upon are important and that our quality of life deserves the same high level of attention. To learn more, go to www.scccl.org.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy:

Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of Global Climate Change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org