| Implementing Sector: | State |
|---|---|
| Category: | Regulatory Policy |
| State: | South Carolina |
| Incentive Type: | Interconnection |
| Web Site: | Duke Energy Interconnection |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: | Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Municipal Solid Waste, Combined Heat & Power, Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels, Landfill Gas, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small), Anaerobic Digestion, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Other Distributed Generation Technologies, Microturbines |
| Applicable Sectors: | Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Institutional |
| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities |
| System Capacity Limit: | 20 kW for residential; Fast track interconnection for certified inverter based generation up to 1MW regardless of location, and fast track up to 2 MW for interconnection to higher voltage distribution line and located less than 2.5 miles from nearest substation. Other systems require system impact study for interconnection. |
| Standard Agreement: | Yes |
| Insurance Requirements: | Residential: Standard homeowner's insurance policy with liability coverage of at least $100,000 per occurrence. Non-Residential: for size less than 20 kW- liability coverage up to $300,000 |
| External Disconnect Switch: | Required |
| Net Metering Required: | No |
The South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted simplified interconnection guidelines for small distributed generation (DG) in December 2006. South Carolina’s interconnection guidelines apply to Progress Energy, Duke Energy, and South Carolina Electric and Gas. These guidelines address interconnection of renewable- energy systems and other forms of DG in three levels –
The customer may submit a formal Pre-Application Report request with a $500 non-refundable fee. The utility will provide a report identifying the substation, area bus, or a circuit that would be the proposed point of interconnection.
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.
| Name: | PSC Order, Docket No. 2005-387-E |
|---|---|
| Date Enacted: | 12/19/2006 |
| Name: | PSC Order, Docket No. 2015-362-E |
| Date Enacted: | 04/26/2016 |
