Blog

RALEIGH, N.C., June 20, 2019— North Carolina’s diverse Clean Energy Industry now boasts over $14 billion in revenue, 43,238 jobs, and over 1,700 firms according to the 2018 North Carolina Clean Energy Industry Census, released today by North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA). Since NCSEA pioneered the first state-based Clean Energy Industry Census in 2008,…

RALEIGH, N.C., May 14, 2019 – North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) today announced the release of the Economic Impact Analysis of Clean Energy Development in North Carolina—2019 Update report. RTI International conducted the report to identify associated economic impacts of clean energy development (renewable energy and energy efficiency) in North Carolina and identified that,…

Roughly $375 million. That’s how much North Carolinians are expected to save by Duke Energy purchasing solar power from independent power producers over the next 20 years, according to an April report submitted to the North Carolina Utilities Commission. We can thank clean energy, and House Bill 589 (HB589), for these savings. North Carolina has…

On April 9, 2019 the Independent Administrator (IA) for the Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy (CPRE) released its report on proposals selected for the Tranche 1 Request For Proposal (RFP). By way of reminder, House Bill 589 required Duke Energy to procure 2,660 MW of renewable energy over a 45-month period from small power producers through the CPRE process. Accion Group, was…

On Monday, April 17, 2019, Representatives John Szoka (R- Cumberland), Wayne Sasser (R- Cabarrus, Stanly), and Bobby Hanig (R- Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico) filed House Bill 750, which will create more freedom for the placement of residential solar installations.  Currently, deed restrictions, covenants, and binding agreements, such as those made with a homeowner’s association (HOA), can prohibit residential solar installations that…

Then  On February 10th, 2016, Representative Jimmy Dixon (R- Duplin, Onslow) delivered the opening remarks to the Environmental Review Commission (ERC) about the disposal of solar panels, and the Commission proceeded to learn about the decommissioning process. NCSEA, the NC Public Utilities Public Staff, First Solar, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented to the Commission in order to…

Earlier today, Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) filed SB377, in an attempt to “prohibit construction, operation, or expansion of wind energy facilities” in certain areas of the state. In addition to Sen. Brown, the bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Paul Newton (R- Cabarrus, Union) and Sen. Norman W. Sanderson (R- Carteret, Craven, Pamlico). Below is a…

At NCSEA, we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive clean energy workforce. By now you have (hopefully!) heard about our Women in Clean Energy (WICE) initiative. By fostering a supportive network for self-identifying women in the North Carolina clean energy industry, we hope to create a space that allows women to reach their…

An important component of the utility ratemaking process includes the biennial avoided cost proceedings. As a reminder, avoided cost is defined as the incremental cost that a utility avoids by purchasing power from a qualifying facility (QF) rather than generating power itself or purchasing it from another source. These rates are determined by the North Carolina…