Duke Energy PowerPair Pilot Program Registers More Than 1,300 Customers in North Carolina
- Programs pairing residential solar installations with battery energy storage continue to contribute to the growth of rooftop solar power.
- The company is considering ways to expand the pilot so it can reach more customers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. , July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has signed up more than 1,300 customers in North Carolina for the new PowerPair.S.M. The PILOT is a one-time incentive-based program designed to make home solar-plus-battery systems more affordable for customers.
Approved by the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission (NCUC) in January 2024 and set to begin in May 2024, the pilot program will provide incentives of up to $9,000 to residential customers who install new solar and battery systems. The total incentive amount will be based on the approved capacity of the installed solar array and battery. PowerPair was designed in collaboration with multiple stakeholder groups under the direction of the NCUC.
“North Carolina already ranks fourth in the nation for solar power generation, with approximately 45,000 Duke Energy customers generating approximately 350 megawatts of solar panels,” said Megan Dewey, vice president of products and services at Duke Energy. “PowerPair is a valuable solution for customers who are ready to add solar power and storage systems to their homes. It's one of the ways we help our customers save energy and money, and we continue to explore new ways to help manage the low-carbon grid of the future.”
More customer choice increases participation
Pilot participants can sign up for PowerPair through their Residential Solar Choice Contract (RSC) or Net Metering Bridge Contract (NMB) to receive a one-time incentive of up to $9,000. NMB customers will also sign up for the company's new Power Manager.® and EnergyWise Home® All customers benefit from selecting the battery option, as they can receive an additional credit on their monthly bill by temporarily allowing Duke Energy to periodically adjust the operating settings of their battery system to send stored energy back to the grid.
“Duke Energy is hard at work on the next iteration of our solar rebate program to meet the growing demand for combined solar and battery power,” Dewey said. “We've already found PowerPair to be extremely popular with our customers, and our team is hard at work on the next rollout of our innovative solar and battery storage product.”
The PowerPair pilot has space available and is still accepting applications. Customers can find a list of approved battery vendors and equipment eligibility information (not all systems are eligible) at duke-energy.com/PowerPair. Customers who participate in PowerPair must use Duke Energy Trade Ally, a Duke Energy approved solar and battery installer. Customers can use the company's Find It Duke program here.
More offerings coming soon
As Duke Energy prepares to offer incentives to early PowerPair participants, it is also considering ways to enhance the pilot for other customers who may not be able to afford new solar and battery systems up front. The company plans to work with stakeholders on multiple options, with a particular focus on customers who meet income criteria, those who rely on medical equipment or comparable programs for non-residential customers and other eligible participants.
“It was important to us that the initial launch of PowerPair was successful and that the pilot ramped up smoothly, and we achieved that,” Dewey said. “Going forward, we're focused on developing additional services to suit the diverse needs and lifestyles of a broader range of customers.”
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. Its electric companies serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky and own a total of 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas companies serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is prioritizing reliability, affordability and access while undertaking an ambitious clean energy transition with goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanding energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
For more information, visit duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy. twitterLinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Illumination for stories about the people and innovations driving the energy transition.
Contact: Logan Stewart
24 Hours: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_LoganS
Source: Duke Energy
