Duke Energy Issues RFPs for Distributed Energy Resource Program

Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress (collectively, Duke) recently issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) as part of the implementation of Duke’s Distributed Energy Resource Program (DERP). The DERP, which was developed pursuant to South Carolina’s Distributed Energy Resource Act of 2014 (Act 236), was approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission earlier this year. (See more information about Duke’s program.)

The first RFP is for approximately 53 megawatts (AC) of utility-scale solar capacity in Duke’s South Carolina retail service areas, of which 40 megawatts is sought by Duke Energy Carolinas and the remaining 13 megawatts by Duke Energy Progress. The projects must be between 1 and 10 megawatts in capacity and must be placed in-service by the end of 2016. Under the RFP terms, bidders can propose power-purchase agreement structures or turnkey structures that permit Duke to take ownership of the solar project.

The second RFP requests bids for up to 5 megawatts of solar capacity (4 megawatts for Duke Energy Carolinas and 1 megawatt for Duke Energy Progress) for Duke’s Shared Solar Program. These projects must have a generating capacity greater than 250 kilowatts but not more than 1 megawatt. The projects must be in-service by the end of 2016. However, the RFP calls for at least two projects to be in-service by July 15, 2016 – one project in Duke Energy Carolinas’ service territory and one project in Duke Energy Progress’ service territory.

Under Duke’s Shared Solar Program, multiple customers can share in the output, and corresponding economic benefit, of a single solar facility. The program is designed to encourage customers who cannot install solar facilities on their homes, such as renters, to participate in the benefits of renewable power generation.

The proposal submission deadline under both RFPs is October 13, 2015. More information about the RFPs can be found on Duke Energy’s website here.