Duke Energy reaches deal with Vote Solar and Sunrun for TOU net-metering –

Last week, Duke Energy announced an agreement with
solar installers, environmental groups and renewable energy advocates that, if
approved by regulators, will create long-term stability for the residential
solar industry in South Carolina.

The deal will provide options for customers and allow
Duke Energy to address increasing electric demand periods in the winter for the
benefit of the company’s systems and customers in both North Carolina and South
Carolina, according to Duke Energy.

The proposed plan – Solar Choice Net Metering – could be the next generation of net
energy metering for the Carolinas, a billing process that credits small
customers with rooftop solar arrays for excess electricity they generate and
provide to Duke Energy via the grid.

Solar Choice Net Metering will include retail rates
that vary based on the time of day and when utilities experience peak demand.
It will also give customers the ability to install a smart thermostat with
their solar panels and receive an incentive for the combination.

“This first-of-a-kind package completely modernizes
the rooftop solar transaction,” said Lon Huber, Duke Energy’s vice president
for rate design and strategic solutions. “This new arrangement not only
recognizes the value of solar and the enabling energy grid, but it unlocks
additional benefits for all customers by addressing when utilities experience
peak demand across their systems in the Carolinas.”

Organizations participating in the effort include
Vote Solar and North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association; the Southern
Environmental Law Center on behalf of South Carolina Coastal Conservation
League, Upstate Forever and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy; and rooftop
solar installer Sunrun. Each organization that is part of the agreement will
continue to advance the proposal to other stakeholders and regulators.

The agreement builds on the goals of the South
Carolina Energy Freedom Act (Act 62). The 2019 legislation represents an effort
to develop the next steps for an energy policy in South Carolina that support
the state’s commitment to solar energy development.

“Duke Energy deserves credit for its leadership in
bringing stakeholders together, establishing trust through transparency, and
embracing policy innovation,” said Thad Culley, senior regional director for
Vote Solar. “I am hopeful that this collaborative approach will encourage more
partnerships with Duke Energy as we try to navigate our way toward a cleaner,
more resilient grid, while providing additional choices for South Carolina
families.”

If approved by regulators, the company anticipates a
transitional tariff to be available on June 1, 2021, to allow for a full
transition into the new plan on or before January 1, 2022.