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In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.
In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.
In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.
Explore your options for renewable power
At Dominion Energy, we're all in on solar. Our solar fleet – the 4th largest in the nation – powers 450,000 homes with zero-carbon electricity. Rooftop solar is clean, renewable energy option if customers want to consume their own clean energy at their business.
Before you consider installing solar, make sure your building is energy efficient. Maximizing your property's energy efficiency first helps ensure the electricity generated by your solar system is not lost through leaky duct work, inadequate insulation or an inefficient heating and cooling system.
We also recommend that you read A Solar Guide for South Carolina Business Owners for helpful information about the decision making process for installing solar and the many factors to be considered before, during and after installing panels on your business.
Some additional helpful links:
Tax credits for rooftop installations can help offset the cost of solar investments. Projects that start construction in 2020 will receive 26% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and in 2021 will receive 22%. All projects must be completed by 2024 to obtain these ITC rates. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of federal tax credits and SC tax credits.
Not all properties are suitable for rooftop solar. Before you make the commitment to install, make sure that your building (roof structure, capacity, pitch, shading, etc.) is suitable for solar panels. You might also consider a ground-mounted solar system on your property. See A Solar Guide for South Carolina Business Owners.
While we are unable to offer assistance or advice regarding tax credits, we recommend working with a certified tax adviser to determine your eligibility.
Tax credits for rooftop installations can help offset the cost of solar investments. Projects that start construction in 2020 will receive 26% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and in 2021 will receive 22%. All projects must be completed by 2024 to obtain these ITC rates. Please consult your tax advisor.
The company is offering non-residential customers options to receive energy or bill credits for installing solar under its Net Energy Metering program. We do not offer cash rebates, upfront incentives, or financing.
While this PDF guide addresses many of the factors that should be considered before, during and after solar installation, it is not a comprehensive technical, design, or installation guide. You should always consult with an experienced solar contractor to determine the right system for your business.
For inquiries pertaining to your solar system, contact your solar contractor. After reviewing this website, if you have additional questions specific to Dominion Energy's solar programs, please email us or call us at 800-251-7234.
Find a professional for advice and installation.
You'll work in consultation with an independent solar Installer to assess your site and apply to participate. Once you've been approved, you'll purchase or lease rooftop panels from the Installer for interconnection to the Dominion power grid.
Always use a professional, licensed contractor to install your solar electric system. While Dominion Energy does not endorse any contractors, here are some resources to consider:
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or lease your system. Consult with your Installer to determine which choice is right for you.
Buying a renewable energy system from a contractor or manufacturer means paying for it up front or financing your purchase through a bank loan. Consult with you tax advisor, as federal tax credits and SC tax credits may be available.
You can also check out the Department of Consumer Affairs' Renewable Energy Marketing Pamphlet and the Standard Disclosure: Sale or Lease of Renewable Energy Facilities, which provide you with the consumer rights related to buying or leasing a renewable energy system.
Leasing allows you to “rent” the renewable energy system for a set period of time. Generally, you pay a fixed monthly rate no matter how much energy the system produces each month, though this rate may escalate each year during the term of the lease. Because you do not own the system, federal and state tax credits may not be available – consult with your tax advisor to confirm.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you purchase or lease your solar system by 5/31/2021, please note that the current Net Energy Metering tariff has been approved through 5/31/2029, after which date the cost structure for your customer generation will change.
Work with your chosen Installer to ensure the following equipment is included with your system:
AC Disconnect Switch must be:
Generation Metering must be:
Dominion Energy South Carolina does not offer installation services or provide oversight of the installation process; however we conduct a field inspection to ensure that the installation meets our requirements. Selecting an experienced solar contractor is one of the most important steps in the overall installation process.
Dominion Energy South Carolina does not offer financing options or installation services for solar systems.
Once you've established that solar is an option for your business, we can offer different programs with varied rate and billing structures to suit your particular needs.
Customers will move to the Non-Residential Rate 16 – Time of Use Rate. Customers will consume self-generated power and will be credited for excess energy delivered to DESC based upon the on-peak and off-peak periods defined by the Time of Use Rate. Solar Choice – Rider to Non-Residential Rate 16
Customer offsets usage at retail. No credit for excess energy sent back to grid.
Customer purchases energy under the current rate and sells all generation to utility at the Small Power Production, Cogeneration Rate.
Net Metering provides one way for customers who generate their own renewable electricity to reduce the power they need for their business. You will receive a credit that you can rollover for any excess energy that you generate. See a sample monthly bill for a customer participating in Net Metering.
The costs associated with installing a solar array can vary widely depending on your site's specifications and which Installer you choose to work with. You can find more information on the U.S. Department of Energy's website, and get a general idea of potential costs by using the PVWatts calculator tool on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory web site.
Customers are not eligible to participate in Net Energy Metering Plus if they also currently participate in PaCE. Under its Distributed Energy Resources programs, Dominion Energy South Carolina assumes ownership of the renewable energy credits (RECs). If you participate in PaCE, the organization retains the energy credits based on your renewable energy generation.
Work with your Installer to implement your solar program.
Continue consulting with your chosen Installer to establish your system specifications, and to submit all required application forms, supporting documents, and fees. Once Dominion Energy has processed and approved your submission, you're free to have your Installer move forward with system setup and interconnection to the Dominion power grid.
To ensure a timely interconnection, complete and submit all required information before you move forward with your solar installation.
If you decide to provide your installer access to PowerClerk, be aware that agreements between you and Dominion Energy, and all documents will require your signature.
After all required information is entered into PowerClerk, the following items will be produced for your completion and digital signature:
Your must also upload Proof of Property (Liability) Insurance and a Single Line Diagram.
Pay online ($3.50 Convenience Charge per transaction) via BillMatrix.
Or mail your check to:
(or a system ≤ 20 kW that has exceeded the reserve circuit phase capacity requirement)
For projects on the DESC Transmission System:
For Net-Metering or Offset program applications:
Have you acquired a business that has an existing solar system that is 20 kW or smaller? Unlike electric, gas and outdoor lighting service, the solar service does not automatically transfer to the new account. It must be applied for by the new owner. Once the Transfer of Solar Service application process is completed in our PowerClerk system, the solar generation meter will be reconnected.
You must be the owner in order to apply for solar service. If a renter/tenant starts service at a premise that has solar service, they will not be able to have the solar service reconnected and benefit from the solar generation.
When you start the application process you will be asked to provide your contact information, which should match the Dominion Energy's account holder information. You will need to upload your Property Insurance Policy. Please be sure that the policy contains the following: Insured Name, Insured Address, Start and Expiration Date of the policy, and the Liability coverage of at least $100,000 per occurrence.
Within 3-5 business days of receiving your submitted application, you will receive an email from us via DocuSign. Please read the Interconnection documents and, if you agree, DocuSign will guide you through electronically signing your documents.
Once you have signed your documents, we will reconnect the solar service within 5-10 business days (weather permitting). You will receive an email with your official “Approval to Energize”, which means you can activate your Solar Energy System.
A $50 Transfer fee will be added to your next bill after you receive your approval email.
If you do not know how to turn on your solar system, you will need to reach out to the previous owners or to the solar installer for assistance.
To transfer a Solar System larger than 20 kW, please email SCElectricTransmission@DominionEnergy.com.
Customers can offset up to 100% of their electrical usage without exceeding 1,000 kW for non-residential customers. Dominion Energy uses a customer's annual electric usage and a capacity factor of 1,589 to determine the amount of solar a customer can have.
FORMULA:
CUSTOMER USAGE (kWh)
(365 DAYS * 24 HRS PER DAY * CAPACITY FACTOR * DC/AC CONVERSION
EXAMPLE:
ANNUAL CUSTOMER USAGE - 10,717 kWh
10,717 / (365 * 24 * 0.1589 * 1.1) = 7.0
7.0 kW - MAXIMUM SYSTEM SIZE
Renewable Energy customers who interconnect on or after January 1, 2015 are eligible to receive an annual bill credit if their solar generation exceeds their usage. The value of any bill credit/payment you receive could be treated as income. Consult with your tax advisor for more information.
You and your Installer will both receive an auto-response email confirming receipt of your completed application forms and fee; we will then contact you both via email within 15 business days to notify you of the outcome of the technical review.
It is important that you wait for approval from Dominion Energy to ensure your system plans adhere to system requirements for the interconnection process.
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