Duke Energy - Net Metering

Summary

Note: In April of 2014, S.B. 1189 created the voluntary Distributed Energy Resource Program and mandated that the Public Service Commission write new net metering rules that will supersede all old rules. Customer-generators already a part of net-metering agreements may remain in these existing programs until December 31, 2020. The latest net metering details are available in PSC Docket 2014-246 E.

In August 2009, the South Carolina Public Service Commission issued an order mandating net metering be made available by the regulating utilities; the order incorporates a net metering settlement signed by the individual interveners, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the three investor-owned utilities (IOUs). The order detailed the terms of net metering, including the ownership of RECs in South Carolina and standardized the structure of net metering programs offered by the IOUs. 

Net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer's next bill at the utility's retail rate, and then surrendered to the utility annually at the beginning of each summer season on June 1. Net-metered customers' on-peak generation (under the TOU tariff) may be used to offset off-peak consumption, but not vice versa. Significantly, these tariffs involve additional charges that do not apply to customers who do not net meter. Duke Energy requires net-metered customers to switch to a TOU tariff (which incorporates potentially high demand charges into its fee structure) or charges customers additional monthly fees, including stand-by charges.

Systems must comply with the South Carolina Standard for Interconnecting Small Generation 100 kW or less with Electric Power Systems (EPS). For more information, see the utility's program web site.