SCE&G - Net Metering

January 25, 2016

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 regulated electric 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 ownership of RECs, in South Carolina and standardized the structure of net metering programs offered by the IOUs.

South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) designed two net-metering options for its South Carolina customers. These options are available to SCE&G customers operating photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, biomass systems or small hydro-electric systems

Customer 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 on June 1st. Under one net-metering option, customers must switch to a time-of-use (TOU) tariff that incorporates potentially high demand charges into its fee structure. Under the second option, customers pay an additional monthly fee to net meter. These tariffs involve additional charges that do not apply to customers who do not net meter.

Systems must conform to the Standard for Interconnecting Small Generation 100 kW or Less with Electric Power Systems. For more information, see the utility's program web site.

 

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: Utility
Category: Regulatory Policy
State: South Carolina
Incentive Type: Net Metering
Web Site: http://www.sceg.com/en/small-business/net-metering
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Hydroelectric
  • Hydroelectric (Small)
Applicable Utilities: SCE&G
System Capacity Limit: 100 kW for non-residential; 20 kW for residential
Aggregate Capacity Limit: 0.2% of utility's SC jurisdictional retail peak demand for previous calendar year
Net Excess Generation: Credited to customer's next bill at applicable time-of-use rate or less; granted to utility annually on June 1
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Customer owns RECs until REC market emerges, at which point utilities will own RECs
Meter Aggregation: Not Addressed

Contact

Name: Customer Service - SCE&G
Address:
Columbia SC 29218
Phone: (800) 251-7234

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.