South Carolina
Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
|
 |
Last DSIRE Review: 08/13/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Interconnection |
| State: |
South Carolina |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric,
Photovoltaics,
Landfill Gas,
Wind,
Biomass,
Fuel Cells,
Municipal Solid Waste,
CHP/Cogeneration,
Anaerobic Digestion,
Small Hydroelectric,
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 commission
|
| External Disconnect Switch: | Required
|
| Net Metering Required: | No |
|
Authority 1:
|
PSC Order, Docket No. 2005-387-E
|
| Date Enacted: | 12/19/2006 |
|
|
Summary:
The South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted a simplified interconnection standard for small distributed generation (DG) in December 2006. The standard addresses 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. Notably, the standard does not include provisions for three-phase generators. South Carolina's model interconnection standard applies to three of the state's four investor-owned utilities -- Progress Energy, Duke Energy and South Carolina Electric and Gas. The fourth utility, Lockhart Power, does not meet the minimum electric energy sales requirement to be included on DOE’s “List of Covered Electric Utilities” under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA).
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 standard includes 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.
|
|
|
 |
Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.
|
