Strong response to Duke Energy's request for new solar energy projects in North Carolina

Duke Energy North Carolina Solar RFP seeks utility-scale solar projects to meet RPS, grow renewable energy capacity, acquire RECs, leverage state investment tax credits, and add megawatts via PPAs or turnkey acquisitions by 2015.

Duke Energy recently announced it had substantial participation in response to its request for proposals RFP for 300 megawatts MW of new solar energy capacity in its Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories. The company received bids for nearly three times the capacity being sought.

“The strong response to our solar RFP reflects on the healthy solar market in North Carolina,” said Rob Caldwell, vice president, Renewable Generation Development. “This RFP could allow Duke Energy to practically double its overall solar capacity in the state.”

The RFP, which was designed to assist Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress in meeting their respective North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards requirements, also allows Duke Energy to further its commitment to solar investment and continue to diversify its resource mix in the Carolinas.

The RFP gave bidders the flexibility to offer power and associated renewable energy certificates, and/or to provide a turnkey proposal through which Duke Energy would acquire the new facility, similar to its plan to build mini solar plants across the state. Duke Energy received both types of bids.

Caldwell said the company is thoroughly evaluating each proposal and hopes to be able to select the winning projects and, as it moves ahead on solar with vendors, complete negotiations by Oct. 1, 2014. He added all selected projects should be online by Dec. 31, 2015.

“Our mission is to bring more renewable generation onto the Duke Energy system in the most cost-effective manner possible,” said Caldwell. “This RFP allows the company to take advantage of projects already in the planning stages to increase solar deployment. It will also allow each project to take advantage of the North Carolina state investment tax credits that expire at the end of 2015.”

The company’s RFP targeted solar facilities greater than five megawatts. It was limited to projects that were in the company’s current transmission and distribution interconnection queue as of Feb. 13, 2014, when the RFP was issued. Affiliates of Duke Energy were not allowed to participate in the RFP.

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