| Implementing Sector | Non-Profit |
|---|---|
| Category | Financial Incentive |
| State | North Carolina |
| Incentive Type | Performance-Based Incentive |
| Web Site | https://www.ncgreenpower.org/become-a-generator/ |
| Utilities | City of Albemarle, Albemarle Electric Member Corp, Town of Apex, Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp, Progress Energy Carolinas Inc, Carteret-Craven El Member Corp, Central Electric Membership Corporation, Town of Cornelius, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Edgecombe-Martin County E M C, Four County Elec Member Corp, French Broad Elec Member Corp, City of Gastonia, Granite Falls Town of, Greenville Utilities Comm, Haywood Electric Member Corp, Town of Huntersville, Jones-Onslow Elec Member Corp, City of Kinston, City of Laurinburg, City of Lexington, Lumbee River Elec Member Corp, City of Monroe, City of New Bern, New River Light & Power Co, Newton City of, Pee Dee Electric Member Corp, Piedmont Electric Member Corp, Randolph Electric Member Corp, Roanoke Electric Member Corp, Rutherford Elec Member Corp, City of Shelby, City of Statesville, Surry-Yadkin Elec Member Corp, Tri-County Elec Member Corp, Tideland Electric Member Corp, Union Electric Membership Corp, Virginia Electric & Power Co, Town of Wake Forest, Wake Electric Membership Corp, City of Washington, Town of Waynesville, City of Wilson, EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp, Brunswick Electric Member Corp |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies | Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Hydroelectric, Landfill Gas, Wind (Small), Anaerobic Digestion |
| Applicable Sectors | Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional |
| Incentive Amount |
Varies by technology and system size PV larger than 5 kW: must enter bid process Wind up to 10 kW: $0.09/kWh Wind larger than 10 kW: must enter bid process |
| Terms | Payments contingent on program success |
| Eligible System Size | Wind: 10 kW maximum for expedited process |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits | NC GreenPower receives and then retires the REC |
Note: As of February 2018, NC GreenPower has terminated the small solar generator program application.
NC GreenPower, a statewide green power program designed to encourage the use of renewable energy in North Carolina, offers production payments for grid-tied electricity generated by solar, wind, small hydro (10 megawatts or less) and biomass resources. Payment arrangements for electricity generated by most renewable energy systems may be available by submitting proposals for consideration when NC GreenPower issues an RFP. However, owners of small wind energy systems (10 kW or less) may currently apply to receive program incentives at any time. Owners of small wind-energy systems are encouraged to review and fill out an online application, available on the NC GreenPower web site. Note that customer-generators who choose to net meter are not eligible to participate in the NC GreenPower Program. Note that from February, 2018, NC GreenPower terminates the small solar generator program. This will not affect current generators but new applications are not being accepted anymore.
Generators are required to enter into power-purchase agreements with their North Carolina electric utility and with NC GreenPower. However, because premiums paid to NC GreenPower are funded exclusively by voluntary contributions from North Carolina electric customers, NC GreenPower does not provide guaranteed contracts to generators. Production incentives are based on the amount expected to make the installation of renewable-energy systems approach economic feasibility. The incentives, which include payments from utility power-purchase agreements, are made on a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis and vary by technology. Owners of small wind-energy systems receive $0.09/kWh from the program, plus approximately $0.04/kWh from their utility, for a total production payment of about $0.13/kWh.*
NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit organization created by state-government officials, electric utilities, nonprofit organizations, consumers, renewable-energy advocates and other stakeholders. It began operation in October 2003 as the first statewide green-power program in the United States. North Carolina’s three investor-owned utilities — Dominion North Carolina Power, Duke Energy and Progress Energy — and many of the state’s municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are participating in the NC GreenPower Program.
* Some North Carolina utilities charge an interconnection fee of approximately $4.00 per month for systems under 10 kW.
| Name | NCUC Order, Docket No. E-100, Sub 90 |
|---|---|
| Date Enacted | 1/28/2003 |