duke energy net metering settlement
As even theconsultant for proponentsof the utilitys original proposal recently indicated, rooftop systems are a strong net benefit to non-solar customers. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Dukes $62 million program, which is in its fifth and final year, offers $4,000 to homeowners and $30,000 for businesses to help cover the upfront cost of solar panels. Because the economic benefits are so poor now, that it just doesn't make any real economic sense," Kingery said. If approved, however, the new proposal would still be a step backward for the solar industry and leave Duke executives trying to lock in a high-carbon, climate-wrecking future, even as the NCUC faces a year-end deadline to plan for drastic cuts in emissions. And it doesn't support our goals as a state to continue to reduce our carbon footprint and move renewables and efficiency forward," Kingery said. Protect your health. A group of North Carolina solar installers is challenging Duke Energy's proposal to change the way rooftop solar owners are paid for electricity. If approved, however, the new proposal would still be a step backward for the solar industry and leave Duke executives trying to lock in a high-carbon, climate-wrecking future. John Oliver, host of HBOs Last Week Tonight, skewered corrupt monopoly utilities like Pacific Gas & Electric and Duke Energy in Sundays episode, showing how they use raw power, weak regulations Duke Energy is asking North Carolina utility regulators to approve a plan that could stifle the growth of renewable solar power in the state while hiking ratepayers bills the latest in the monopoly 1250 I Street NW Your email address will not be published. Duke has long threatened that if its original settlement with other parties was not adopted, it would force through even worse changes to net metering.. Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly are asking the state's full Court of Appeals to temporarily block a ruling allowing certain felony offenders to vote while they appeal the case. "Duke Energy is committed to finding collaborative paths forward to help with the clean-energy transition and carbon-reduction goals in the Carolinas. Novant Health, doctors deny allegations of neglect in care of 92-year-old woman who died in 2020, Winston-Salem Police investigate report of gunfire at Embassy Suites; Building cleared but no evidence found. But what is the , A Winston-Salem man was shot several times Sunday morning while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle at the intersection of Waughtown St. The settlement agreement now means that this finalized version of Duke Energys Solar Choice Net Metering proposal, which was originally filed on November 29, 2021, will now go before the North Carolina Utilities Commission for final approval. But the groups say the settlement if approved would leave Dukes net metering plan extremely complicated, reduce value to customers, and be a step backward for rooftop solar instead of the forward progress needed to meet North Carolinas climate protection goals. They say it would hurt business and hamper the state's climate change efforts. South Carolina approved similar rules for Duke Energy last year. The utilities further argue that this means non-solar customers are subsidizing those with solar. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 'Safety and sense of community.' Duke settles with NC rooftop solar companies on 'bridge' net metering changes, Insight Weekly: US bank M&A; low refinancing eases rates impact; Texas crypto mining booms, Insight Weekly: US stocks hit grim milestone; top European banks tumble; TMT IPOs plunge, Insight Weekly: US bank stress tests; cracks in housing market; summer energy supply risks, Infographic: Q122 U.S. Wind Power by the Numbers, Duke Energy Corp.'s two North Carolina utilities and three rooftop solar installer companies have reached an agreement on proposed net metering changes, including a "bridge rate. The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. There was a problem saving your notification. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Sustainable Energy Association; the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Vote Solar and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy; Sunrun Inc. and the Solar Energy Industries Association. The compromise is a timely one, as the states current rebate program is set to expire at the end of the year, even though North Carolina is only required to revisit the current net metering structure some time before 2027. Hear poetry from NC's poet laureate. In the meantime, the time provided in the settlement gives Hollister some hope that decades after he negotiated the states first net-metering agreement, his fight for a rate and fee system he considers fair to customers and solar providers may finally end. After months of public and legal pressure, Duke Energy was forced to seek a compromise, said NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren.
(Docket No. Only in the alternate universe inhabited by utility executives can carbon reduction efforts can be achieved while limiting solar power and massively expanding the use of methane gas., We understand that our solar company allies felt the need to compromise with Duke Energy in order to protect their businesses in the near term, added Warren. "When you take away 25 % to 35% of the economic value to the consumer, it's easy to believe that, you know, a large chunk of consumers are just going to say no. NC treasurer, plan officials are appealing. Creators of Skin Deep Database Tapwater Database EWG Verified Search. We believe this phased-in compromise will help the installer industry navigate market changes and adapt to the long-term rate design of Solar Choice.". "Duke Energys proposed changes to net metering in North Carolina do not hurt rooftop solar customers. It is high time for home PV plus Electric Batteries and synchronized HVAC Thermal Batteries to eliminate the need for Net Metering altogether! This year, for example, Duke received more than 3,400 applications but distributed about 800 rebates totaling $3.4 million. That law also sets decarbonization goals for the state of 70% by 2030 from 2005 levels and net-zero by 2050. Breathtaking AI tool DALL-E takes its images to a bigger stage, These are the two final candidates in the race to become the U.K.'s prime minister, New program trains students in clean energy; Leaders hope to expand across North Carolina, Golf Hall of Fame to move back to Pinehurst at new site, North Carolina abortion providers see surge in calls with Roe overturned, After small change, controversial GOP attack ad is back on TV, Pat McCrory says his political career is over and asks what happened to the Republican Party, Duke Energy submits proposal to cut carbon emissions, NC Republicans appeal ruling allowing ex-offenders to vote in November. Duke Energy filed the plan in November as a settlement agreement with solar industry groups the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented Vote Solar and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy; solar panel maker Sunrun Inc.; and the Solar Energy Industries Association. EWG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600.
Individual customers could keep the bridge rate for up to 15 years after their array is installed. Once approved, the new net metering tariffs, known as the Proposed Bridge Rate will go into effect for customers submitting applications through December 31, 2026, subject to annual capacity caps. These same groups have said that they will support the incentives being developed by Duke, so long as the incentive package includes the consideration of customer-generated renewable energy that is consumed on site as a demand-side energy resource. David Boraks is a WFAE weekend host and a producer for "Charlotte Talks." By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
The solar companies and Duke also discussed building consumer protections into a net-metering plan, but those elements were not fleshed out, said Bob Kingery, co-owner of Southern Energy Management. They also say any additional fixed fees imposed on solar customers creates discriminatory rates against them, which raises legal questions under federal law. Your email address will not be published. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Driver Nick Wall suspended for the next two races at Bowman Gray Stadium and placed on suspension, Upon further review, Nate Gregg is winner of Street Stock race on Saturday night at Bowman Gray Stadium, Chase ends in crash at Motor and Old Rural Hall roads, Kernersville likely to get a Smithfield's restaurant, Heavy police presence visible at crash on Reynolda Road, Chris Fleming, Jeremy Gerstner grab Modified wins in front of sold-out crowd at Bowman Gray Stadium. Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy pv magazine 2022, Welcome to pv magazine USA. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. A similar incentive was part of Dukes net-metering proposal in South Carolina. Duke has long threatened that if its original settlement with other parties was not adopted, it would force through even worse changes to net metering., The fact Duke was forced to make these concessions to installers demonstrates that our position of resisting the companys demand for the state to quash the net-metering program was right, said EWG President Ken Cook. You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Please be mindful of our community standards. Before his death, junior firefighter from Walnut Cove wanted to serve his community. Read our policy. Neighbors have questions about development proposal near Jonestown Road, Man indicted in 2021 shooting of Kernersville police officer, Historic heat wave disrupts travel in the UK, NASAs Perseverance finds strange bundle of string on Mars, This robo-dog learned to walk in only an hour without any input from its creators, This fruit farm uses solar panels to help plants grow. The agreement outlines a proposal to delay the series of time-of-use rates with the "bridge rate" to allow rooftop solar customers to continue with monthly net metering until at least 2026. That means more than three-quarters of applicants got no rebate from the company this year, which came as a shock to some customers who had factored the funds into their solar panel project budgets. That arrangement allowed Hollister to be credited by French Broad Electric Membership Corp. for unused power generated by solar panels on his Madison County home and transferred to the local co-op so it could be sold to other customers. Despite the compromise, Duke's plan is still opposed by a coalition of environmental and nonprofit groups. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg. Jim Warren of NC WARN, a frequent Duke Energy critic, disputes that. Thats why monopoly utilities like Duke are fighting to crush rooftop solar in North Carolina, echoing fights in California and other states, Cook said. In its original net-metering proposal, Duke said reductions in credits to solar customers could be partially offset with an upfront incentive worth thousands of dollars. A recent graduate of Hood College, Tim has been with pv magazine since May 2018. "It's so much at stake, in part because this goes to the heart of Duke Energy's business model, and the question of whether this state will move forward with climate protections or continue expanding gas at a rapid rate," Warren said. Pat McCrory, former Charlotte mayor and North Carolina governor, lost to Rep. Ted Budd in the Republican U.S. Senate primary Tuesday. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. ", The May 19 stipulation agreement, filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, provides a gradual transition option from existing net metering programs for eligible customers. But the settlement still falls significantly short when it comes to giving more people, particularly working-class families, the ability to access rooftop solar. Duke negotiated the settlement with three CEOs Stew Miller of YES Solar, Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems, and Bob Kingery of Southern Energy Management. Under the new settlement agreement, those fees would be delayed for existing and eligible customers who apply until at least 2026, pending regulatory approval. Hold Ctrl or Cmd to select multiple editions. Tim Sylvia is an associate editor at pv magazine USA. Duke Energy and a collective of some of the largest rooftop solar installers in North Carolina have officially come to terms on a modified version of Duke Energys Solar Choice Net Metering proposal, one which pushes the utilitys proposed time-of-use rates for net metering customers down the road until at least 2026. "And it also is so complicated that next to nobody could even figure out what solar would really do for their house.". The agreement between Duke Energy Progress LLC, Duke Energy Carolinas LLC and North Carolina solar rooftop solar installers Sundance Power Systems Inc., Southern Energy Management and Yes Solar Solutions follows the solar companies initially intervening in Duke's net metering case in March, where they opposed proposed changes including time-of-use fees. The Town of Rural Hall is facing what town officials describe as a a legal claim from former fire chief Andy Marshall, adding to an ever-widen. ", 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines Some South Carolina solar providers have said business has slumped since the new plan went into effect. I understand the water and sewer consumption charges are what we actually use. A Forsyth County 3-year-old was sickened by psychedelic mushrooms, investigators allege. Warren said the fight over rooftop solar is about more than prices: It's related to Duke's plans to continue investing in power plants fired by natural gas. Regardless of the settlement, the NCUCs failure to conduct the statutorily-required cost-benefit analysis would be a clear violation of North Carolina law, say NC WARN and EWG. Attorneys for Novant Health are denying allegations that three doctors at Forsyth Medical Center neglected and abandoned a 92-year-old woman w. Offering detailed information about the process of buying and installing solar panels, as well as simplifying the rate and fee structure, would help insulate customers from dishonest dealers, Hollister suggested. Required fields are marked *.
A driver refused to stop for deputies in Forsyth County on Monday afternoon, investigators said. Please subscribe to keep reading. Roy Cooper earlier this year called on state agencies toaccount for such benefitsin clean energy planning.
Duke Energy, solar firms settle on 'bridge rate'. However, solar leaders fear the utilities commission will reject that portion of the plan.
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They say the changes would cost jobs and make solar unaffordable for many customers. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.
The 15 companies spelled out their objections in a letter Thursday to Gov. New revelationslast week show the eventual findings of that analysis will likely force Duke Energy toraise instead of lower the amount that it pays rooftop solar customers for the power they send to the grid, the process known as net metering. As even the, The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Associations consultant also wrote that, when societal benefits are counted, the value of rooftop solar is doubled. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is running an attack ad against Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley. A Guide to Reducing Your Health Care Costs, EQUALibrium: An exploration of race and equity in Charlotte, WFAE Spring-Summer 2022 Raffle Official Rules, NPR's Founding Mothers In Conversation With WFAE's Lisa Worf, A vote on a Huntersville development project was delayed for the second time, NASCAR to run street race in downtown Chicago next season, Biden approval hits another new low as more Democrats sour on him, poll finds, Disbarred S.C. attorney Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty to murdering his wife and son, NC attorney general wants a delay in Duke Energy's proposed rooftop solar changes, Solar installers say Duke Energy plan would hurt rooftop business. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The settlement is but one step in the fight at the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). If you put a battery with it, your family can have backup power resiliency in your house," Kingery said. Duke Energys Solar Choice Net Metering proposal, Solar panels power the James Webb telescope, VinFast receives $1.2 billion incentive package to manufacture EVs in North Carolina, Californians will still get burned under solar killer proposal, Manchin blocks climate bill, Biden said he will take executive action, California solar net metering comment period closed, heres what leaders said. You also can read additional national and international climate news. The California Assembly today advanced Assembly Bill 2247, a measure to collect and report on the products and substances sold in and brought into California that contain the toxic forever chemicals EWG knew the campaign weve joined to confront bitcoins serious energy and climate challenges would generate strong reactions from the bitcoin community. The delaying of time-of-use rates for net metering customers, with different net metering rates for peak periods (times when projected electricity demand, and, as a result, costs, are high) and discount periods (times when projected electricity demand, and, as a result, costs, are lower), has been promoted as the big win of the compromise. But it also lets Duke proceed with its original plan to ultimately trim payments and add a new monthly fee for solar users. Duke Energy spokesman Randy Wheeless said Thursday the plan is fair and noted that it has the support of major environmental and solar industry groups. Among these voices is NC WARN, a group that represents the interests of and public opposition to Duke by more than 70 solar companies and pro-solar nonprofits, says that, because the compromise came without a cost-benefit analysis regarding the net benefit that higher penetration of residential solar systems brings to non-solar customers (the inverse of the infamous utility cost-shift argument), the proposal is incomplete and still harmful to solar customers. Roy Cooper that Dukes net-metering proposal could reduce the value of home solar customers investment by 25% to 35% because their overall credits would be lower. We also offer comprehensive global coverage of the most important solar markets worldwide. The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Associations consultant also wrote that, when societal benefits are counted, the value of rooftop solar is doubled. Our settlement with many leading solar groups ensures fair and reasonable treatment for all customers whether they choose to install solar or not," he added. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled. That plan went into effect Jan. 1 without the incentive.
. But Kingery and other installers have broken with their own industry association. I think we can find a solution by 2027 that everyone can live with, he said. The bridge rate would end if state regulators approve a set of incentives equal to or greater than 60 cents per watt, according to the stipulation agreement. Now the town faces a claim from one-time fire chief. The agreement was filed with the N.C. Utilities Commission May 20 as a stipulation to Dukes November petition asking for approval of a metering plan that varies the rates of credits to residential solar customers based on the time of day and overall electricity demand. Select one or more editions for targeted, up to date information delivered straight to your inbox. And the proposal exempts low-income customers from the monthly minimum bill charge. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Winston-Salem man seriously wounded in drive-by shooting. Copyright 2020, Environmental Working Group. EWG President Ken Cook said cheaper renewable energy like rooftop solar are a threat to big power companies.
It adds value to your house. You have permission to edit this article. Hollister suggested it ultimately may be up to the N.C. General Assembly to pass legislation ensuring that effective incentives are part of residential solar rules. Join us for this ride! These forever chemicals pollute water, dont break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades. Committee on Inclusion Diversity Equity Accountability, WUNC Public Radio, LLC Board of Directors, spelled out their objections in a letter Thursday, 'The Bear' dishes up a sneaky, smart show that's just as manic as restaurant life, With no textbooks or antibiotics, this WWI surgeon pioneered facial reconstruction, Surreal or too real? They estimated it would slash 25% to 35% from the value of a home solar investment. The settlement also includes a provision under which it can be discontinued if state regulators approve a package of incentives equivalent to at least 60 cents per watt. After months of public and legal pressure, Duke Energy was forced to seek a compromise, NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren said in a statement. A spokesman said Thursday , "Our office is continuing to take a close look at this issue to protect North Carolinas ratepayers and environment while also advancing clean energy policies.".
