Almost one year after its launch in October 2015, Duke Energy's Solar Rebate Program has paid almost $5 million in rebates to over 750 residential customers and more than 35 business customers in South Carolina, the utility announced on September 22.
The rebates help with the upfront cost of installing solar panels for customers – making the technology more accessible to the company's 730,000 customers in the Palmetto State. They provide $1 per watt-dc for qualified residential customers who install systems up to 20 kilowatts-ac on their property; and for business customers who install systems up to 1 megawatt-ac on their property.
"The response to the rebate program has been fantastic," commented Clark Gillespy, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "This shows our customers want options to help them participate in a sustainable solar energy marketplace."
Act 236, an omnibus solar bill passed by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2014, opened the door for Duke Energy to offer a variety of solar programs to customers.
With more than 30 megawatts-ac of solar power scheduled to come online already, Duke Energy is more than halfway to the 53-megawatt goal cited by the Act.
Once the program is fully subscribed, customers can continue to install solar power using tax credits through the state and federal government. Customers may also choose to use solar power on-site through net metering.
