Dive Brief:
- South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), a regulated electric utility subsidiary of SCANA Corp., will build a 3 megawatt to 4 megawatt solar array near its headquarters and another 300 kilowatt to 500 kilowatt array. Both are expected to be operational in 2015.
- Additionally, SCE&G will not yet proceed with a previously announced 2 megawatt installation adjacent to the aging Lake Murray dam coal plant because of delays, expected to eventually be overcome, in obtaining federal approval for solar development at the site.
- These installations would be the first achievements for SCE&G’s newly constituted renewables team and big steps forward in its commitment to add 20 megawatts of renewable capacity by 2020.
Dive Insight:
The 20 megawatts-by-2020 commitment would be a small part of SCANA’s energy portfolio diversification plan calling for 30% natural gas, 30% nuclear, 30% reduced emissions coal, and 10% hydro and other renewables.
SCE&G demonstrated its commitment to renewables through its participation this past spring with a coalition of utilities and renewables advocates in the formulation of South Carolina’s new law that establishes a 2% renewables by 2021 mandate, creates a legal basis for solar to be financed through lease agreements with third party funders, and protects the state’s net energy metering incentive.
Winning acceptance of third party financing was considered a big victory for South Carolina’s solar advocates because it allows homeowners to add solar without upfront costs or maintenance responsibilities. The law provides for further utility scale solar and rooftop solar development after the mandate has been met.
Though the renewables mandate was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley, its provisions will not be final until the South Carolina Public Service Commission approves it.
