Duke Energy has asked state regulators to approve a plan that would thwart the growth of the state’s solar energy and make it harder for solar businesses to succeed.
The N.C. Utilities Commission currently requires Duke Energy to enter into 15-year standard contracts with solar producers of any project 5 MW or smaller. Duke has asked the commission to cut the length of those contracts to 10 years and to change the rules so that any solar installation 1 MW or larger selling to Duke would require a negotiated contract.
Such contracts would be on Duke’s terms—without specific timelines and standard procedures—thereby creating financial uncertainty and hardships for solar businesses and investors.
In response, David Rogers, representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign in North Carolina, released the following statement:
“Duke wants to roll back the very policies that have helped North Carolina to become the second ranked state in the country when it comes to solar power. Unfortunately, Duke continues to oppose the expansion of access to solar energy, unless it’s done on Duke’s terms. It’s time for Duke to give their customers what they want, which is more clean, cheap, renewable energy. ”
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