Last DSIRE Review: 07/06/2012
Program Overview:
| State: |
South Carolina |
| Incentive Type: |
Interconnection |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Fuel Cells, Municipal Solid Waste, CHP/Cogeneration, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Microturbines, Other Distributed Generation Technologies |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Agricultural, Institutional |
| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities
|
| System Capacity Limit: | 100 kW for non-residential; 20 kW for residential
|
| Standard Agreement: | Yes |
| Insurance Requirements: | Vary by system size and/or type; levels established by PSC
|
| External Disconnect Switch: | Required
|
| Net Metering Required: | No |
Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
|
PSC Order, Docket No. 2005-387-E
12/19/2006
|
Summary:
The South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted simplified interconnection guidelines for small distributed generation (DG) in December 2006. These guidelines address renewable-energy systems and other forms of DG up to 20 kilowatts (kW) in capacity for residential systems, and up to 100 kW for non-residential systems. Provisions for three-phase generators are not included.
South Carolina's interconnection guidelines apply to Progress Energy, Duke Energy, and South Carolina Electric and Gas.
There is a $100 application fee for residential systems and a $250 application fee for non-residential systems. Utilities may not require residential customers to carry liability insurance beyond the amount required by a standard homeowner's policy ($100,000 minimum coverage), but non-residential generators are required to carry comprehensive general liability insurance ($300,000 minimum coverage). Generators are responsible only for upgrade and improvement costs associated directly with a system's interconnection, but these costs may be determined by utilities. Utilities are prohibited from imposing indirect fees and charges. The guidelines include a mutual-indemnification requirement.
A redundant external disconnect switch is required, and the capacity of all interconnected generation is generally limited to a maximum of 2% of rated circuit capacity. Utilities must file semi-annual reports with the PSC detailing the number of interconnection requests approved and denied, and the reasons for any denial. There are no procedures for dispute resolution. |
