RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVES BY CENTRAL
Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Central) is dedicated to expanding renewable energy options for its members while adhering to contractual limitations with Santee Cooper and Duke. These initiatives work to support commercial, industrial and residential member-owners across South Carolina, helping them access renewable energy options that meet their needs. Here’s a closer look at some of our key projects:
VOLVO SOLAR PROJECT
Showing their support for corporate sustainability goals, Central has executed a power purchase agreement with a solar developer for a project at Volvo’s manufacturing site in Berkeley County. This installation, which has been operational since March 2020, has a capacity of 6.5MW AC.
This project helps Volvo meet its carbon-free energy targets while demonstrating Central’s capability to support its member-owners’ environmental objectives.
HORRY COUNTY SCHOOL SOLAR PROJECTS
In Horry County, Central supports educational institutions through renewable energy projects. Two area schools, St. James Intermediate and Socastee Elementary, have rooftop solar installations with a combined energy capacity of 860kW AC and have been operational since 2018.
Central purchases half of the generated energy, while the schools use the rest to offset their energy needs, selling the rest back to Horry Electric Cooperative for net metering credits. This arrangement helps to reduce the schools’ monthly electricity bills while promoting renewable energy education.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECTS
Central's board has authorized up to 5MW AC of community solar, which is accessible to all member cooperatives. Initiated in 2016, these projects include a mix of ground-mount and canopy configurations. Community solar allows members to lease solar panels, offering renewable energy access without the need for home installations.
This model is especially beneficial for renters and mobile homeowners. To date, 18 member-cooperatives participate, with the projects generating 42GWh of energy, equivalent to the annual consumption of 36,500 homes. By the end of 2022, 4.2MW AC of community solar capacity had come online.
BERKELEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY SOLAR AND BATTERY INSTALLATION
In an innovative pilot project, Berkeley Electric Cooperative, in partnership with Central, installed a Tesla lithium-ion battery system at its community solar site. The battery has been operational since 2023 and has a maximum discharge rate of 116kW AC and a total energy rating of 464kWh. It charges during low-demand periods and discharges during peak hours, providing a valuable load management tool. The solar site itself has a capacity of 120kW AC. This project serves as a model for future solar and battery installations, enhancing the cooperative's ability to manage energy demands efficiently.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Central and Santee Cooper have each contracted for a portion of the 200MW AC of new solar currently under development at the Lambert 1 and 2 sites in Georgetown County. Both entities are collaborating to explore opportunities for bringing significant additional solar energy onto the combined Santee Cooper-Central system, as outlined in their respective Integrated Resource Plans. This forward-looking effort underscores Central's dedication to advancing renewable energy and delivering sustainable power solutions to its member-owners.
Central's renewable energy initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable energy development, benefiting the environment and supporting the diverse needs of its member-owners. Through strategic partnerships and innovative projects, Central is paving the way for a cleaner energy future in South Carolina.
