Duke Energy has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 50 MW of new solar energy capacity in North Carolina.
The company is looking for solar projects that are 2 MW or larger in the Duke Energy Carolinas territory. The projects will be tied to the company's Green Source Rider program, which allows large customers of Duke Energy Carolinas to supply new electricity load with renewable energy.
The solicitation gives developers the opportunity to sell power for up to 15 years or to negotiate with Duke Energy for the utility to acquire ownership of the new facilities. Final selection will be based on pricing, customer preference and other considerations.
The RFP is limited to projects that are in the company's current transmission and distribution queue.
‘We explored multiple options with potential Green Source Rider-qualified customers over the past year, and in-state solar appears to be a good fit for meeting their needs,’ says Duke Energy's Rob Caldwell, senior vice president of distributed energy resources. ‘We will work with these customers to identify the best projects at the most competitive price.’
Caldwell says the company would prefer the projects to be online by the end of the year, if possible – but Duke Energy will consider projects with a 2016 delivery date. Preference will be given to projects in the latter stages of development.
