SCE&G announced plans to launch a community solar partnership with community solar solutions provider Clean Energy Collective (CEC).
An alternative to rooftop solar, CEC’s RooflessSolarTM will give SCE&G residential electric customers, schools, churches and municipalities the opportunity to subscribe to or purchase panels in solar farms and receive credit for solar generation on their energy bills each month. CEC will develop, construct, own, and operate the 16 MW community solar portfolio, the largest utility-driven program in the state and one of the largest in the country. Details regarding facility development, product offering and customer participation will be announced as plans advance in the coming months.
"For some, rooftop solar is a good resource, but for those in this market looking for another option –including home owners, renters, churches, schools, and municipalities – community solar can be a great alternative," said Danny Kassis, vice president of customer relations and renewables for SCE&G. “We’re pleased to work with CEC to put solar power within reach for more of our customers and extend our commitment to growing renewable energy in South Carolina.”
SCE&G has long placed a priority on growing its renewable energy portfolio and lowering carbon emissions. Customers interested in SCE&G’s community solar program, can complete an online sign-up form to receive program specifics when they become available at www.sceg.com/communitysolar.
“Community solar is part of our plan to create a balanced energy portfolio and grow a clean energy future for South Carolina,” said Keller Kissam, retail president of SCE&G. “We’re proud to say that with the future completion of our solar initiatives and new nuclear reactors, 60 percent of the energy we produce each year will be non-greenhouse gas emitting. We’re investing in a clean, reliable energy future for our customers.”
Tapping CEC’s industry-leading expertise in community solar development gives SCE&G the ability to deploy an efficient, cost-effective and successful community solar program. CEC will integrate its software and services suite Community Solar Platform™ to provide customer sales, system monitoring, production tracking, bill crediting, and ongoing subscriber engagement.
“We commend SCE&G for its leadership among investor-owned utilities in establishing one of the country’s most significant community solar programs, providing a renewable energy option that is more broadly accessible to South Carolinians of all economic or geographic circumstance,” said Paul Spencer, CEC’s founder and CEO.
The community solar project is the latest initiative by SCE&G to grow solar energy. Since 2007, SCE&G has interconnected more than 1,600 customer solar systems, including homes, businesses, nonprofits and governmental entities. In April, SCE&G announced the planned addition of six new solar generating facilities to its system.